Talon Tours

Vietnam is a country relatively new to the larger birding world, only open to tourists since the early 1990’s; it is still a nation where only its own citizens may drive a vehicle. This is a land of ancient culture, picturesque countryside, delicious cuisine, friendly smiling people and one of Asia’s most thriving economies. Some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet are to be found in this country that is bordered by Cambodia and Laos to the west, China to the north and the South China Sea to the east.

The coastline runs for over one thousand miles and its mountain range extends from its northern border to its southern border.

Vietnam is marked by its diversity of climates and elevation zones creating warm and moderately humid weather in the south to cool or cold weather in the north. The resulting habitat zones include Sub-tropical Cloud Forests, Coniferous Forests, Montane & Lowland Rain Forests and extensive swamps & other wetlands.

There have been over 850 species of birds documented and the country has the highest number of endemic bird species (between 10 and 12) in mainland South East Asia plus a great number of near-endemics.

On our tour we will visit many exciting birding locations where we will search out such exotics as pheasants, barbets, tit bablers, pittas, falconettes, scimitar-babblers and parrotbills. One such location is the Da Lat Plateau, an area of forests, lakes and waterfalls that harbors many endemics and distinct sub-species of more widespread birds. Some of these gems include the Collared Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and the Vietnamese Greenfinch. Habitat on the Da Lat Plateau includes Coniferous, Montane Evergreen and Secondary Forest.

We will also spend time among the lowland Limestone Karst Forest of Cuc Phuong National Park near Hanoi. This was the first protected area in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded here including several South East Asian endemics, amongst them barbets, pittas and wren babblers.

Blue Bearded Bee-Eater - Uthai Treesucon

Another of our trip locations is the southern lowlands of Cat Tien National Park, considered the best birding site in Vietnam. It is in this park that we will bird amongst Lowland Semi-Evergreen forest, Lowland Evergreen Forest and extensive swamps & and other wetlands. Our goal birds here will include, amongst the many others, Orange-necked Partridge, Germains’ Peacock Pheasant, Grey-faced Tit Babbler and up to seventeen species of woodpeckers.

Join us on this exciting venture and enjoy the beauty of the flora and fauna of Vietnam.

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