Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Vietnam.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.
Swinhoe's storm petrel, Oceanodroma monorhis
Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
Boobies and gannets
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
Red-footed booby, Sula sula
Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.
Indian cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
Little cormorant, Microcarbo niger
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
Oriental darter, Anhinga melanogaster
Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.
Christmas frigatebird, Fregata andrewsi
Great frigatebird, Fregata minor
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
Spot-billed pelican, Pelecanus philippensis
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
Great-billed heron, Ardea sumatrana
Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Eastern great egret, Ardea alba modesta
Intermediate egret, Egretta intermedia
Little egret, Egretta garzetta
Chinese egret, Egretta eulophotes
Pacific reef heron, Egretta sacra
Chinese pond heron, Ardeola bacchus
Javan pond heron, Ardeola speciosa
Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
Striated heron, Butorides striata
Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
White-eared night heron, Gorsachius magnificus
Malayan night heron, Gorsachius melanolophus
Yellow bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis
Schrenck's bittern, Ixobrychus eurhythmus
Cinnamon bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Black bittern, Ixobrychus flavicollis
Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
Black-headed ibis, Threskiornis melanocephalus
White-shouldered ibis, Pseudibis davisoni
Giant ibis, Pseudibis gigantea (Ex)
Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
Black-faced spoonbill, Platalea minor
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Vietnam.
Milky stork, Mycteria cinerea
Painted stork, Mycteria leucocephala
Asian openbill, Anastomus oscitans
Black stork, Ciconia nigra
Woolly-necked stork, Ciconia episcopus
Black-necked stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Lesser adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus
Greater adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Lesser whistling duck, Dendrocygna javanica
Greylag goose, Anser anser
Bar-headed goose, Anser indicus (A)
Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
White-winged duck, Cairina scutulata
Comb duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
Cotton pygmy goose, Nettapus coromandelianus
Mandarin duck, Aix galericulata
Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
Falcated duck, Anas falcata
Gadwall, Anas strepera
Common teal, Anas crecca
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Spot-billed duck, Anas poecilorhyncha
Northern pintail, Anas acuta
Garganey, Anas querquedula
Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
Common pochard, Aythya ferina
Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca
Baer's pochard, Aythya baeri
Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
Greater scaup, Aythya marila
Scaly-sided merganser, Mergus squamatus
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Eagles, kites and allies
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
Jerdon's baza, Aviceda jerdoni
Black baza, Aviceda leuphotes
Oriental honey buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus
Black-shouldered kite, Elanus caeruleus
Black kite, Milvus migrans
Brahminy kite, Haliastur indus
White-bellied sea eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster
Pallas's fish eagle, Haliaeetus leucoryphus (rare)
Lesser fish eagle, Ichthyophaga humilis
Grey-headed fish eagle, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
White-rumped vulture, Gyps bengalensis (rare)
Indian vulture, Gyps indicus
Cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus (rare)
Red-headed vulture, Sarcogyps calvus
Short-toed eagle, Circaetus gallicus
Crested serpent eagle, Spilornis cheela
Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
Eastern marsh harrier, Circus spilonotus
Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus
Pied harrier, Circus melanoleucos
Crested goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus
Shikra, Accipiter badius
Chinese goshawk, Accipiter soloensis
Japanese sparrowhawk, Accipiter gularis
Besra, Accipiter virgatus
Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
Rufous-winged buzzard, Butastur liventer
Grey-faced buzzard, Butastur indicus
Eastern buzzard, Buteo japonicus (rare)
Black eagle, Ictinaetus malaiensis
Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga
Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca
Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata
Rufous-bellied eagle, Lophotriorchis kienerii
Changeable hawk-eagle, Nisaetus cirrhatus
Flores hawk-eagle, Nisaetus floris
Mountain hawk-eagle, Nisaetus nipalensis
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
White-rumped falcon, Polihierax insignis
Collared falconet, Microhierax caerulescens
Pied falconet, Microhierax melanoleucus
Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
Merlin, Falco columbarius
Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
Oriental hobby, Falco severus
Laggar falcon, Falco jugger
Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Pheasants and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 23 species which have been recorded in Vietnam.
Chinese francolin, Francolinus pintadeanus
Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica
Rain quail, Coturnix coromandelica
Blue-breasted quail, Coturnix chinensis
Hill partridge, Arborophila torqueola
Rufous-throated partridge, Arborophila rufogularis
Bar-backed partridge, Arborophila brunneopectus
Orange-necked partridge, Arborophila davidi (E)
Scaly-breasted partridge, Arborophila chloropus
Vietnam partridge, Arborophila merlini (E)
Chestnut-necklaced partridge, Arborophila charltonii
Mountain bamboo-partridge, Bambusicola fytchii
Temminck's tragopan, Tragopan temminckii
Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus
Imperial pheasant, Lophura imperialis (E)
Edwards's pheasant, Lophura edwardsi (E)
Silver pheasant, Lophura nycthemera
Siamese fireback, Lophura diardi
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus
Germain's peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron germaini (E)
Grey peacock-pheasant, Polyplectron bicalcaratum
Crested argus, Rheinardia ocellata
Green peafowl, Pavo muticus
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Vietnam.
Sarus crane, Grus antigone
Common crane, Grus grus
Black-necked crane, Grus nigricollis
Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Red-legged crake, Rallina fasciata
Slaty-legged crake, Rallina eurizonoides
Slaty-breasted rail, Gallirallus striatus
Brown-cheeked rail, Rallus indicus
Corn crake, Crex crex (A)
Brown crake, Amaurornis akool
White-breasted waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus
Black-tailed crake, Amaurornis bicolor
Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
Ruddy-breasted crake, Porzana fusca
Band-bellied crake, Porzana paykullii
Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea
Black-backed swamphen, Porphyrio indicus
Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Masked finfoot, Heliopais personata
Order: Otidiformes Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
Bengal florican, Houbaropsis bengalensis
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica
Yellow-legged buttonquail, Turnix tanki
Barred buttonquail, Turnix suscitator
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Vietnam.
Pheasant-tailed jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Bronze-winged jacana, Metopidius indicus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Vietnam.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
The stone-curlews are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
Indian stone-curlew, Burhinus indicus
Great stone-curlew, Esacus recurvirostris
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Oriental pratincole, Glareola maldivarum
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. There are 66 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Vietnam.
Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
River lapwing, Vanellus duvaucelii
Grey-headed lapwing, Vanellus cinereus
Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus
Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva
Grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola
Long-billed plover, Charadrius placidus
Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
Malaysian plover, Charadrius peronii
Lesser sand plover, Charadrius mongolus
Greater sand plover, Charadrius leschenaultii
Oriental plover, Charadrius veredus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola
Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
Wood snipe, Gallinago nemoricola
Pintail snipe, Gallinago stenura
Swinhoe's snipe, Gallinago megala
Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
Asian dowitcher, Limnodromus semipalmatus
Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
Common redshank, Tringa totanus
Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
Nordmann's greenshank, Tringa guttifer
Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
Grey-tailed tattler, Tringa brevipes
Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Great knot, Calidris tenuirostris
Red knot, Calidris canutus
Sanderling, Calidris alba
Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis
Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta
Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata
Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
Dunlin, Calidris alpina
Spoon-billed sandpiper, Eurynorhynchus pygmeus
Broad-billed sandpiper, Limicola falcinellus
Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Vietnam.
Pomarine skua, Stercorarius pomarinus
Arctic skua, Stercorarius parasiticus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.
Common gull, Larus canus
Herring gull, Larus argentatus
Heuglin's gull, Larus heuglini
Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans
Brown-headed gull, Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus
Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Saunders's gull, Chroicocephalus saundersi
Relict gull, Ichthyaetus relictus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.
Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
Great crested tern, Thalasseus bergii
Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii
Black-naped tern, Sterna sumatrana
Common tern, Sterna hirundo
Black-bellied tern, Sterna acuticauda
Little tern, Sternula albifrons
Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
White tern, Gygis alba
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
Ashy wood pigeon, Columba pulchricollis (A)
Pale-capped pigeon, Columba punicea
Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis
Red collared dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica
Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis
Barred cuckoo-dove, Macropygia unchall
Little cuckoo-dove, Macropygia ruficeps
Emerald dove, Chalcophaps indica
Nicobar pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica
Pink-necked green pigeon, Treron vernans
Orange-breasted green pigeon, Treron bicincta
Ashy-headed green pigeon, Treron phyayrei
Thick-billed green pigeon, Treron curvirostra
Yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera
Yellow-vented green pigeon, Treron seimundi
Pin-tailed green pigeon, Treron apicauda
Wedge-tailed green pigeon, Treron sphenura
White-bellied green pigeon, Treron sieboldii
Green imperial pigeon, Ducula aenea
Mountain imperial pigeon, Ducula badia
Pied imperial pigeon, Ducula bicolor
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back.
Blue-rumped parrot, Psittinus cyanurus
Alexandrine parakeet, Psittacula eupatria
Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I)
Grey-headed parakeet, Psittacula finschii
Blossom-headed parakeet, Psittacula roseata
Red-breasted parakeet, Psittacula alexandri
Long-tailed parakeet, Psittacula longicauda
Vernal hanging parrot, Loriculus vernalis
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Chestnut-winged cuckoo, Clamator coromandus
Large hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx sparverioides
Hodgson's hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx nisicolor
Indian cuckoo, Cuculus micropterus
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Himalayan cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus
Oriental cuckoo, Cuculus optatus
Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
Banded bay cuckoo, Cacomantis sonneratii
Plaintive cuckoo, Cacomantis merulinus
Little bronze cuckoo, Chrysococcyx minutillus
Asian emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx maculatus
Violet cuckoo, Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus
Fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus dicruroides
Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopacea
Black-bellied malkoha, Phaenicophaeus diardi
Green-billed malkoha, Phaenicophaeus tristis
Coral-billed ground cuckoo, Carpococcyx renauldi
Greater coucal, Centropus sinensis
Lesser coucal, Centropus bengalensis
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
Eastern grass owl, Tyto longimembris
Barn owl, Tyto alba
Oriental bay owl, Phodilus badius
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
Mountain scops owl, Otus spilocephalus
Collared scops owl, Otus lettia
Sunda scops owl, Otus lempiji
Oriental scops owl, Otus sunia
Spot-bellied eagle-owl, Bubo nipalensis
Brown fish owl, Ketupa zeylonensis
Tawny fish owl, Ketupa flavipes
Buffy fish owl, Ketupa ketupu
Spotted wood owl, Strix seloputo
Brown wood owl, Strix leptogrammica
Himalayan owl, Strix nivicolum
Collared owlet, Glaucidium brodiei
Asian barred owlet, Glaucidium cuculoides
Spotted owlet, Athene brama
Brown hawk owl, Ninox scutulata
Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Podargidae
The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. They are named for their large flattened hooked bill and huge frog-like gape, which they use to take insects. There are 2 species which have been recorded in Vietnam.
Hodgson's frogmouth, Batrachostomus hodgsoni
Blyth's frogmouth, Batrachostomus affinis
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Great eared-nightjar, Eurostopodus macrotis
Grey nightjar, Caprimulgus jotaka
Large-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus
Indian nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus
Savanna nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. There are 12 species which have been recorded in Vietnam.
Himalayan swiftlet, Aerodramus brevirostris
Indochinese swiftlet, Aerodramus rogersi
Black-nest swiftlet, Aerodramus maximus
Edible-nest swiftlet, Aerodramus fuciphagus
German's swiftlet, Aerodramus germani
White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus
Silver-backed needletail, Hirundapus cochinchinensis
Brown-backed needletail, Hirundapus giganteus
Asian palm-swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis
Pacific swift, Apus pacificus
Cook's swift, Apus cooki
House swift, Apus nipalensis
Order: Apodiformes Family: Hemiprocnidae
The treeswifts, also called crested swifts, are closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Crested treeswift, Hemiprocne coronata
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Vietnam.
Red-headed trogon, Harpactes erythrocephalus
Orange-breasted trogon, Harpactes oreskios
Ward's trogon, Harpactes wardi
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Vietnam.
Blyth's kingfisher, Alcedo hercules
Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
Blue-eared kingfisher, Alcedo meninting
Black-backed kingfisher, Ceyx erithacus
Banded kingfisher, Lacedo pulchella
Stork-billed kingfisher, Pelargopsis capensis
Ruddy kingfisher, Halcyon coromanda
White-throated kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
Black-capped kingfisher, Halcyon pileata
Collared kingfisher, Todirhamphus chloris
Crested kingfisher, Megaceryle lugubris
Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Vietnam.
Blue-bearded bee-eater, Nyctyornis athertoni
Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis
Blue-throated bee-eater, Merops viridis
Blue-tailed bee-eater, Merops philippinus
Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Merops leschenaulti
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Vietnam.
Indian roller, Coracias benghalensis
Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Hoopoe, Upupa epops
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured.
Oriental pied-hornbill, Anthracoceros albirostris
Black hornbill, Anthracoceros malayanus
Great hornbill, Buceros bicornis
Austen's brown hornbill, Anorrhinus austeni
White-crowned hornbill, Aceros comatus
Rufous-necked hornbill, Aceros nipalensis
Wreathed hornbill, Aceros undulatus
Order: Piciformes Family: Megalaimidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured.
Great barbet, Psilopogon virens
Red-vented barbet, Psilopogon lagrandieri
Lineated barbet, Psilopogon lineatus
Green-eared barbet, Psilopogon faiostrictus
Golden-throated barbet, Psilopogon franklinii
Necklaced barbet, Psilopogon auricularis
Indochinese barbet, Psilopogon annamensis
Blue-throated barbet, Psilopogon asiaticus
Moustached barbet, Psilopogon incognitus
Blue-eared barbet, Psilopogon duvaucelii
Coppersmith barbet, Psilopogon haemacephalus
Woodpeckers and allies
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
Speckled piculet, Picumnus innominatus
White-browed piculet, Sasia ochracea
Grey-capped pygmy woodpecker, Yungipicus canicapillus
Freckle-breasted woodpecker, Dendrocopos analis
Stripe-breasted woodpecker, Dendrocopos atratus
Rufous-bellied woodpecker, Dendrocopos hyperythrus
Darjeeling woodpecker, Dendrocopos darjellensis
Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
Crimson-breasted woodpecker, Dryobates cathpharius
Rufous woodpecker, Micropternus brachyurus
White-bellied woodpecker, Dryocopus javensis
Lesser yellownape, Picus chlorolophus
Laced woodpecker, Picus vittatus
Streak-throated woodpecker, Picus xanthopygaeus
Red-collared woodpecker, Picus rabieri
Black-headed woodpecker, Picus erythropygius
Grey-faced woodpecker, Picus canus
Greater yellownape, Chrysophlegma flavinucha
Common flameback, Dinopium javanense
Greater flameback, Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
Pale-headed woodpecker, Gecinulus grantia
Bay woodpecker, Blythipicus pyrrhotis
Black-and-buff woodpecker, Meiglyptes jugularis
Heart-spotted woodpecker, Hemicircus canente
Great slaty woodpecker, Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Eurylaimidae
The broadbills are small, brightly coloured birds, which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests. There are 15 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Vietnam.
Dusky broadbill, Corydon sumatranus
Black-and-red broadbill, Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos
Banded broadbill, Eurylaimus javanicus
Long-tailed broadbill, Psarisomus dalhousiae
Silver-breasted broadbill, Serilophus lunatus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many are brightly coloured. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates.
Eared pitta, Hydrornis phayrei
Blue-naped pitta, Hydrornis nipalensis
Blue-rumped pitta, Hydrornis soror
Rusty-naped pitta, Hydrornis oatesi
Blue pitta, Hydrornis cyanea
Bar-bellied pitta, Hydrornis elliotii
Hooded pitta, Pitta sordida
Fairy pitta, Pitta nympha
Blue-winged pitta, Pitta moluccensis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Vietnam.
Australasian bushlark, Mirafra javanica
Indochinese bushlark, Mirafra erythrocephala
Oriental skylark, Alauda gulgula
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
Sand martin, Riparia riparia
Grey-throated martin, Riparia chinensis
Dusky crag martin, Ptyonoprogne concolor
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Pacific swallow, Hirundo tahitica
Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
Rufous-bellied swallow, Cecropis badia
Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
Asian house martin, Delichon dasypus
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Vietnam.
Forest wagtail, Dendronanthus indicus
White wagtail, Motacilla alba
Black-backed wagtail, Motacilla lugens
Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola
Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
Oriental pipit, Anthus rufulus
Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni
Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
Rosy pipit, Anthus roseatus
Water pipit, Anthus spinoletta
Buff-bellied pipit, Anthus rubescens (A)
Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.
Large cuckooshrike, Coracina macei
Indochinese cuckooshrike, Coracina polioptera
Black-winged cuckooshrike, Coracina melaschistos
Rosy minivet, Pericrocotus roseus
Brown-rumped minivet, Pericrocotus cantonensis
Ashy minivet, Pericrocotus divaricatus
Small minivet, Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Long-tailed minivet, Pericrocotus ethologus
Short-billed minivet, Pericrocotus brevirostris
Scarlet minivet, Pericrocotus flammeus
Grey-chinned minivet, Pericrocotus solaris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
Crested finchbill, Spizixos canifrons
Collared finchbill, Spizixos semitorques
Striated bulbul, Pycnonotus striatus
Black-headed bulbul, Pycnonotus atriceps
Black-crested bulbul, Pycnonotus flaviventris
Red-whiskered bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus
Brown-breasted bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthorrhous
Light-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus sinensis
Sooty-headed bulbul, Pycnonotus aurigaster
Stripe-throated bulbul, Pycnonotus finlaysoni
Flavescent bulbul, Pycnonotus flavescens
Yellow-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus goiavier
Streak-eared bulbul, Pycnonotus blanfordi
Puff-throated bulbul, Alophoixus pallidus
Ochraceous bulbul, Alophoixus ochraceus
Grey-eyed bulbul, Iole propinqua
Ashy bulbul, Hemixos flavala
Chestnut bulbul, Hemixos castanonotus
Mountain bulbul, Ixos mcclellandii
Black bulbul, Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Chloropseidae
The leafbirds are small, bulbul-like birds. The males are brightly plumaged, usually in greens and yellows. There are 8 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Vietnam.
Blue-winged leafbird, Chloropsis cochinchinensis
Golden-fronted leafbird, Chloropsis aurifrons
Orange-bellied leafbird, Chloropsis hardwickii
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithinidae
The ioras are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub, but whereas that group tends to be drab in colouration, ioras are sexually dimorphic, with the males being brightly plumaged in yellows and greens. There are 4 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Vietnam.
Common iora, Aegithina tiphia
Great iora, Aegithina lafresnayei
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae
Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Brown dipper, Cinclus pallasii
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
Orange-headed thrush, Geokichla citrina
Siberian thrush, Geokichla sibirica
Sichuan thrush, Zoothera griseiceps
Long-tailed thrush, Zoothera dixoni
Scaly thrush, Zoothera dauma
Long-billed thrush, Zoothera monticola
Dark-sided thrush, Zoothera marginata
Grey-backed thrush, Turdus hortulorum
Black-breasted thrush, Turdus dissimilis
Japanese thrush, Turdus cardis
Grey-winged blackbird, Turdus boulboul
Blackbird, Turdus merula
Chestnut thrush, Turdus rubrocanus
Eyebrowed thrush, Turdus obscurus
Dusky thrush, Turdus naumanni
Chinese thrush, Turdus mupinensis
Cisticolas and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Golden-headed cisticola, Cisticola exilis
Brown prinia, Prinia polychroa
Hill prinia, Prinia superciliaris
Rufescent prinia, Prinia rufescens
Grey-breasted prinia, Prinia hodgsonii
Yellow-bellied prinia, Prinia flaviventris
Plain prinia, Prinia inornata
Common tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius
Dark-necked tailorbird, Orthotomus atrogularis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae
Slaty-bellied tesia, Tesia olivea
Grey-bellied tesia, Tesia cyaniventer
Asian stubtail, Urosphena squameiceps
Pale-footed bush warbler, Urosphena pallidipes
Chestnut-headed tesia, Cettia castaneocoronata
Manchurian bush warbler, Horornis borealis
Brown-flanked bush warbler, Horornis fortipes
Aberrant bush warbler, Horornis flavolivacea
Mountain tailorbird, Phyllergates cuculatus
Rufous-faced warbler, Abroscopus albogularis
Yellow-bellied warbler, Abroscopus superciliaris
Black-faced warbler, Abroscopus schisticeps
Broad-billed warbler, Tickellia hodgsoni
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
Chinese bush warbler, Locustella tacsanowskia
Russet bush warbler, Locustella mendelli
Brown bush warbler, Locustella luteoventris
Baikal bush warbler, Locustella davidi
Lanceolated warbler, Locustella lanceolata
Pallas's grasshopper warbler, Locustella certhiola
Striated grassbird, Megalurus palustris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
Black-browed reed warbler, Acrocephalus bistrigiceps
Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Oriental reed warbler, Acrocephalus orientalis
Clamorous reed warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus
Thick-billed warbler, Iduna aedon
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus
Buff-throated warbler, Phylloscopus subaffinis
Radde's warbler, Phylloscopus schwarzi
Buff-barred warbler, Phylloscopus pulcher
Ashy-throated warbler, Phylloscopus maculipennis
Lemon-rumped warbler, Phylloscopus proregulus
Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus
Arctic warbler, Phylloscopus borealis
Greenish warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides
Pale-legged leaf warbler, Phylloscopus tenellipes
Sakhalin leaf warbler, Phylloscopus borealoides
Eastern crowned leaf warbler, Phylloscopus coronatus
Blyth's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus reguloides
Davison's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus davisoni
Kloss's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus ogilviegranti
Sulphur-breasted warbler, Phylloscopus ricketti
Limestone leaf warbler, Phylloscopus calciatilis
White-spectacled warbler, Seicercus affinis
Grey-cheeked warbler, Seicercus poliogenys
Chestnut-crowned warbler, Seicercus castaniceps'
Grey-crowned warbler, Seicercus tephrocephalus
Bianchi's warbler, Seicercus valentini
Plain-tailed warbler, Seicercus soror
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
Yellow-eyed babbler, Chrysomma sinense
Grey-headed parrotbill, Psittiparus gularis
Black-headed parrotbill, Psittiparus margaritae
Rufous-headed parrotbill, Psittiparus bakeri
Spot-breasted parrotbill, Paradoxornis guttaticollis
Vinous-throated parrotbill, Sinosuthora webbiana
Brown-winged parrotbill, Sinosuthora brunnea
Ashy-throated parrotbill, Sinosuthora alphonsiana
Black-throated parrotbill, Suthora nipalensis
Golden parrotbill, Suthora verreauxi
Short-tailed parrotbill, Neosuthora davidiana
White-browed fulvetta, Fulvetta vinipectus
Indochinese fulvetta, Fulvetta danisi
Manipur fulvetta, Fulvetta manipurensis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
White-throated rock thrush, Monticola gularis
Chestnut-bellied rock thrush, Monticola rufiventris
Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
Blue whistling thrush, Myophonus caeruleus
Gould's shortwing, Brachypteryx stellata
Lesser shortwing, Brachypteryx leucophrys
White-browed shortwing, Brachypteryx montana
Grey-spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa griseisticta
Siberian flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica
Asian brown flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica
Brown-streaked flycatcher, Muscicapa williamsoni
Brown-breasted flycatcher, Muscicapa muttui
Ferruginous flycatcher, Muscicapa ferruginea
Korean flycatcher, Ficedula zanthopygia
Narcissus flycatcher, Ficedula narcissina
Mugimaki flycatcher, Ficedula mugimaki
Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher, Ficedula strophiata
Taiga flycatcher, Ficedula albicilla
Snowy-browed flycatcher, Ficedula hyperythra
Little pied flycatcher, Ficedula westermanni
Slaty-blue flycatcher, Ficedula tricolor
Sapphire flycatcher, Ficedula sapphira
White-gorgeted flycatcher, Anthipes monileger
Rufous-browed flycatcher, Anthipes solitaris
Blue-and-white flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana
Verditer flycatcher, Eumyias thalassina
Large niltava, Niltava grandis
Small niltava, Niltava macgrigoriae
Fujian niltava, Niltava davidi
Vivid niltava, Niltava vivida
White-tailed flycatcher, Cyornis concretus
Hainan blue flycatcher, Cyornis hainanus
Blue-throated flycatcher, Cyornis rubeculoides
Hill blue-flycatcher, Cyornis banyumas
Tickell's blue flycatcher, Cyornis tickelliae
Pygmy blue flycatcher, Muscicapella hodgsoni
Japanese robin, Erithacus akahige
Rufous-tailed robin, Luscinia sibilans
Siberian rubythroat, Luscinia calliope
Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
Siberian blue robin, Luscinia cyane
White-bellied redstart, Luscinia phaenicuroides
Red-flanked bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus
Himalayan bluetail, Tarsiger rufilatus
Golden bush-robin, Tarsiger chrysaeus
White-browed bush-robin, Tarsiger indicus
Oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis
White-rumped shama, Copsychus malabaricus
Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
Daurian redstart, Phoenicurus auroreus
Blue-fronted redstart, Phoenicurus frontalis
White-capped redstart, Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
Plumbeous redstart, Rhyacornis fuliginosus
White-tailed robin, Cinclidium leucurum
Blue-fronted robin, Cinclidium frontale
Little forktail, Enicurus scouleri
Slaty-backed forktail, Enicurus schistaceus
White-crowned forktail, Enicurus leschenaulti
Spotted forktail, Enicurus maculatus
Purple cochoa, Cochoa purpurea
Green cochoa, Cochoa viridis
Siberian stonechat, Saxicola maurus
Pied bushchat, Saxicola caprata
Jerdon's bushchat, Saxicola jerdoni
Grey bushchat, Saxicola ferreus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Rhipiduridae
The fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders.
White-throated fantail, Rhipidura albicollis
White-browed fantail, Rhipidura aureola
Pied fantail, Rhipidura javanica
Order: Passeriformes Family: Stenostiridae
Yellow-bellied fantail, Chelidorhynx hypoxantha
Grey-headed canary flycatcher, Culicicapa ceylonensis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Vietnam.
Black-naped monarch, Hypothymis azurea
Japanese paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone atrocaudata
Oriental paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone affinis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pachycephalidae
The family Pachycephalidae includes the whistlers, shrike-thrushes, shrike-tits, pitohuis and crested bellbird. There are 57 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Mangrove whistler, Pachycephala cinerea
Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
Masked laughingthrush, Garrulax perspicillatus
White-throated laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis
White-crested laughingthrush, Garrulax leucolophus
Lesser necklaced laughingthrush, Garrulax monileger
Greater necklaced laughingthrush, Garrulax pectoralis
Black-hooded laughingthrush, Garrulax milleti (E)
Grey laughingthrush, Garrulax maesi
Rufous-cheeked laughingthrush, Garrulax castanotis
Black-throated laughingthrush, Garrulax chinensis
White-cheeked laughingthrush, Garrulax vassali
Rufous-chinned laughingthrush, Garrulax rufogularis
Chestnut-eared laughingthrush, Garrulax konkakinhensis (E)
Spot-breasted laughingthrush, Garrulax merulinus
Orange-breasted laughingthrush, Garrulax annamensis (E)
Chinese hwamei, Garrulax canorus
White-browed laughingthrush, Garrulax sannio
Scaly laughingthrush, Trochalopteron subunicolor
Blue-winged laughingthrush, Trochalopteron squamatus
Black-faced laughingthrush, Trochalopteron affinis
Golden-winged laughingthrush, Trochalopteron ngoclinhensis (E)
Silver-eared laughingthrush, Trochalopteron melanostigma
Collared laughingthrush, Trochalopteron yersini (E)
Red-winged laughingthrush, Trochalopteron formosus
Red-tailed laughingthrush, Trochalopteron milnei
Scarlet-faced liocichla, Liocichla ripponi
Silver-eared mesia, Leiothrix argentauris
Red-billed leiothrix, Leiothrix lutea
Vietnamese cutia, Cutia legalleni
Spectacled barwing, Actinodura ramsayi
Black-crowned barwing, Actinodura sodangorum (E)
Streaked barwing, Actinodura souliei
Blue-winged minla, Minla cyanouroptera
Chestnut-tailed minla, Minla strigula
Red-tailed minla, Minla ignotincta
Grey-crowned crocias, Crocias langbianis (E)
Rufous-backed sibia, Heterophasia annectens
Black-backed sibia, Heterophasia melanoleuca
Black-headed sibia, Heterophasia desgodinsi
Long-tailed sibia, Heterophasia picaoides
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pellorneidae
Chinese grassbird, Graminicola bengalensis'
Abbott's babbler, Malacocincla abbotti
Buff-breasted babbler, Pellorneum tickelli
Spot-throated babbler, Pellorneum albiventre
Puff-throated babbler, Pellorneum ruficeps
Scaly-crowned babbler, Malacopteron cinereum
Short-tailed scimitar-babbler, Jabouilleia danjoui
Long-billed wren-babbler, Rimator malacoptilus
Limestone wren-babbler, Napothera crispifrons
Streaked wren-babbler, Napothera brevicaudata
Eyebrowed wren-babbler, Napothera epilepidota
Collared babbler, Gampsorhynchus torquatus
Golden-breasted fulvetta, Alcippe chrysotis
Yellow-throated fulvetta, Alcippe cinerea
Rufous-winged fulvetta, Alcippe castaneceps
Black-crowned fulvetta, Alcippe klossi
Rufous-throated fulvetta, Alcippe rufogularis
Dusky fulvetta, Alcippe brunnea
Rusty-capped fulvetta, Alcippe dubia
Brown-cheeked fulvetta, Alcippe poioicephala
Grey-cheeked fulvetta, Alcippe morrisonia
Mountain fulvetta, Alcippe peracensis
Black-browed fulvetta, Alcippe grotei
David's fulvetta, Alcippe davidi
Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae
The babblers, or timaliids, are somewhat diverse in size and colouration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage.
Large scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus hypoleucos
Black-streaked scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus gravivox
White-browed scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus schisticeps
Streak-breasted scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Red-billed scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps
Coral-billed scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
Slender-billed scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus superciliaris
Pale-throated wren-babbler, Spelaeornis kinneari
Buff-chested babbler, Stachyridopsis ambigua
Rufous-capped babbler, Stachyridopsis ruficeps
Golden babbler, Stachyridopsis chrysaea
Sooty babbler, Stachyris herberti
Grey-throated babbler, Stachyris nigriceps
Spot-necked babbler, Stachyris striolata
Pin-striped tit-babbler, Macronus gularis
Grey-faced tit-babbler, Macronus kelleyi
Chestnut-capped babbler, Timalia pileata
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae
Black-headed shrike-babbler, Pteruthius rufiventer
Dalat shrike-babbler, Pteruthius flaviscapis
Black-eared shrike-babbler, Pteruthius melanotis
Clicking shrike-babbler, Pteruthius intermedius
White-bellied erpornis, Erpornis zantholeuca
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pnoepygidae
Scaly-breasted wren-babbler, Pnoepyga albiventer
Pygmy wren-babbler, Pnoepyga pusilla
Order: Passeriformes Family: Elachuridae
Spotted elachura, Elachura formosa
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae
Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet which includes insects. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Black-throated tit, Aegithalos concinnus
Thornbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pardalotidae
Thornbills are small passerine birds, similar in habits to the tits. There are 65 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Golden-bellied gerygone, Gerygone sulphurea
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
Japanese tit, Parus minor
Green-backed tit, Parus monticolus
Yellow-cheeked tit, Parus spilonotus
Yellow-browed tit, Sylviparus modestus
Sultan tit, Melanochlora sultanea
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet.
Chestnut-bellied nuthatch, Sitta castanea
Chestnut-vented nuthatch, Sitta nagaensis
Burmese nuthatch, Sitta neglecta
White-tailed nuthatch, Sitta himalayensis
Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Sitta frontalis
Yellow-billed nuthatch, Sitta solangiae
Beautiful nuthatch, Sitta formosa
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.
Hume's treecreeper, Certhia manipurensis
Sunbirds and spiderhunters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
Ruby-cheeked sunbird, Chalcoparia singalensis
Brown-throated sunbird, Anthreptes malacensis
Purple-naped sunbird, Hypogramma hypogrammicum
Copper-throated sunbird, Leptocoma calcostetha
Van Hasselt's sunbird, Leptocoma brasiliana
Purple sunbird, Cinnyris asiaticus
Olive-backed sunbird, Cinnyris jugularis
Gould's sunbird, Aethopyga gouldiae
Green-tailed sunbird, Aethopyga nipalensis
Fork-tailed sunbird, Aethopyga christinae
Black-throated sunbird, Aethopyga saturata
Crimson sunbird, Aethopyga siparaja
Little spiderhunter, Arachnothera longirostra
Grey-breasted spiderhunter, Arachnothera modesta
Streaked spiderhunter, Arachnothera magna
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicaeidae
The flowerpeckers are very small, stout, often brightly coloured birds, with short tails, short thick curved bills and tubular tongues.
Thick-billed flowerpecker, Dicaeum agile
Yellow-vented flowerpecker, Dicaeum chrysorrheum
Yellow-bellied flowerpecker, Dicaeum melanoxanthum
Plain flowerpecker, Dicaeum minullum
Fire-breasted flowerpecker, Dicaeum ignipectus
Scarlet-backed flowerpecker, Dicaeum cruentatum
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
Chestnut-flanked white-eye, Zosterops erythropleurus
Oriental white-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus
Japanese white-eye, Zosterops japonicus
Indochinese yuhina, Yuhina torqueola
Whiskered yuhina, Yuhina flavicollis
Stripe-throated yuhina, Yuhina gularis
White-collared yuhina, Yuhina diademata
Black-chinned yuhina, Yuhina nigrimenta
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Vietnam.
Black-naped oriole, Oriolus chinensis
Slender-billed oriole, Oriolus tenuirostris
Black-hooded oriole, Oriolus xanthornus
Maroon oriole, Oriolus traillii
Order: Passeriformes Family: Irenidae
The fairy-bluebirds are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub. The males are dark-blue and the females a duller green. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Asian fairy-bluebird, Irena puella
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Vietnam.
Tiger shrike, Lanius tigrinus
Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus
Burmese shrike, Lanius collurioides
Long-tailed shrike, Lanius schach
Grey-backed shrike, Lanius tephronotus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tephrodornithidae
Bar-winged flycatcher-shrike, Hemipus picatus
Large woodshrike, Tephrodornis gularis
Common woodshrike, Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Rufous-winged philentoma, Philentoma pyrhopterum
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Vietnam.
Black drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy drongo, Dicrurus leucophaeus
Crow-billed drongo, Dicrurus annectans
Bronzed drongo, Dicrurus aeneus
Lesser racket-tailed drongo, Dicrurus remifer
Hair-crested drongo, Dicrurus hottentottus
Greater racket-tailed drongo, Dicrurus paradiseus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Artamidae
The woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-coloured passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Vietnam.
Ashy woodswallow, Artamus fuscus
Crows and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. There are 120 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Vietnam.
Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
Gold-billed magpie, Urocissa flavirostris
Blue magpie, Urocissa erythrorhyncha
White-winged magpie, Urocissa whiteheadi
Green magpie, Cissa chinensis
Yellow-breasted magpie, Cissa hypoleuca
Rufous treepie, Dendrocitta vagabunda
Grey treepie, Dendrocitta formosae
Collared treepie, Dendrocitta frontalis
Racket-tailed treepie, Crypsirina temia
Ratchet-tailed treepie, Temnurus temnurus
Eurasian magpie, Pica pica
Carrion crow, Corvus corone
Large-billed crow, Corvus macrorhynchos
Collared crow, Corvus torquatus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
Golden-crested myna, Ampeliceps coronatus
Common hill myna, Gracula religiosa
Great myna, Acridotheres grandis
Crested myna, Acridotheres cristatellus
Common myna, Acridotheres tristis
Vinous-breasted starling, Acridotheres burmannicus
Black-collared starling, Gracupica nigricollis
Daurian starling, Agropsar sturninus
White-shouldered starling, Sturnia sinensis
Chestnut-tailed starling, Sturnia malabarica
Red-billed starling, Spodiopsar sericeus
White-cheeked starling, Spodiopsar cineraceus
European starling, Sturnus vulgaris
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Vietnam.
Streaked weaver, Ploceus manyar
Baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus
Asian golden weaver, Ploceus hypoxanthus
Waxbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns. There are 141 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Vietnam.
Red avadavat, Amandava amandava
Pin-tailed parrotfinch, Erythrura prasina
White-rumped munia, Lonchura striata
Nutmeg mannikin, Lonchura punctulata
White-bellied munia, Lonchura leucogastra
Chestnut munia, Lonchura atricapilla
White-headed munia, Lonchura maja
Java sparrow, Padda oryzivora (I)
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are named buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are 275 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Vietnam.
Crested bunting, Melophus lathami
Tristram's bunting, Emberiza tristrami (A)
Chestnut-eared bunting, Emberiza fucata
Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla
Yellow-breasted bunting, Emberiza aureola
Chestnut bunting, Emberiza rutila
Black-faced bunting, Emberiza spodocephala
Pallas's bunting, Emberiza pallasi (A)
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Vietnam.
Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (A)
Dark-breasted rosefinch, Carpodacus nipalensis
Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
Yellow-breasted greenfinch, Chloris spinoides
Vietnamese greenfinch, Chloris monguilloti (E)
Black-headed greenfinch, Chloris ambigua
Oriental greenfinch, Chloris sinica
Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus (A)
Brown bullfinch, Pyrrhula nipalensis
Yellow-billed grosbeak, Eophona migratoria (A)
Spot-winged grosbeak, Mycerobas melanozanthos
Scarlet finch, Haematospiza sipahi
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Vietnam.
House sparrow, Passer domesticus
Russet sparrow, Passer rutilans
Plain-backed sparrow, Passer flaveolus
Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus
