The final 50 Best Birds in Asia!

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by SusanMyers on December 10, 2010 · 11 comments

in Birding Asia

So here is the final list of ten to make up the fifty. The process of putting it together has been, if totally random. Sadly, I didn’t receive any suggestions although earlier I did promise to include Wallcreeper. I have no problem with that! Now THAT is a fancy bird (even if it is found in Europe, too…)

41. Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria

I don’t have a good enough photo to put here but check Dale’s blog about this fab bird!

42. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

Also found in Australia, as you might guess from the photo caption, this species is declining in Asia, especially South East Asia, where Cambodia is its last remaining stronghold.

Black-necked Stork @ Kakadu

43. Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus

One of the world’s cutest bird and a perennial crowd-pleaser!

 

Black-and-yellow Broadbill @ Danum Valley, Borneo

44. Palawan Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron napoleonis

For a number of years now a habituated male has been seen regularly by birders at the rangers’ station in the national park. When the light catches the plumage this is a breathtaking bird! I don’t know how we’re going to find this exceptionally secretive bird when this fellow shifts off the mortal coil…

 

Palawan Peacock-Pheasant @ St. Paul's Subterranean NP

45. Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla

Always a thrilling bird to find! I guess its reptilian countenance appeals…

 

Eurasian Wryneck @ Gujarat, India

46. Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi

OK, so I know that there are fancier malkohas than this one – the two Philippine species are amazing! But hey, this is the best photo I have of any malkoha and the truth is they are all great birds and at least one deserves to make the Top 50.

 

Black-bellied Malkoha @ Kuala Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia

47. White-capped Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus

Small passerines have been under represented on my list, which is an oversight because I probably favour them over the big flashy birds in many ways. This guy is a stunner!

 

White-capped Water-Redstart @ Bhutan

48. Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis

Love hornbills! Adore the Himalayas!

 

Rufous-necked Hornbill @ Bhutan

49. Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo

In the little town of Khichin in the middle of the Rajasthan desert, the villagers help out the migrating Demoiselle Cranes by throwing out grain. The cranes congregate every year in remarkable numbers – a truly beautiful spectacle! Here’s an article about it.

 

Demoiselle Crane @ Rajasthan, India

50. Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus

Terrible photo but just look at the colours!

 

Himalayan Monal @ Bhutan

So that’s it! Some of my favorite birds in Asia! It’s not a definitive list and totally weighted towards species I have personally taken photos of. I could have included many others. Anyway, I hope you’ve enjoyed this and maybe it’s given you a bit of an incentive to come see the wildlife in the most amazing continent on earth!

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  • Birdernaturalist

    I’m so envious that you’ve seen all these amazing birds. Save some for me!

  • http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com DaleForbes

    broadbills are always cute, but that one takes the cake!

  • Kenn Kaufman

    Another great selection! Southern Asia is fabulous for “B-List birds” (broadbills, bulbuls, babblers, barbets), and they’re all amazing, but I have to say that Black-and-yellow Broadbill was a bird that totally knocked me out the first time I saw it in Malaysia.

  • http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com DaleForbes

    this was such a great series. I am looking forward to what you come up with next ;-) more crazy/beautiful asian birds? or tales of great adventures…?

    • Susan

      Something a bit different perhaps next week, Dale! But I promise tales of great adventures in the new year :-)

    • Susan

      Something a bit different perhaps next week, Dale! But I promise tales of great adventures in the new year :-)

    • Susan

      Something a bit different perhaps next week, Dale! But I promise tales of great adventures in the new year :-)

    • Susan

      Something a bit different perhaps next week, Dale! But I promise tales of great adventures in the new year :-)

  • Tou Jing Yi

    hi susan,

    great 50 best Asian birds, and I simply think that is way too little for the great diversity of the many exciting Asian species that I will find it very difficult to find my 50 favorites (maybe I am too greedy?)

    There is a comment on your number #46, the photograph of yours show a roundish orange orbital skin ended with a red corner, that is supposed to be the characteristic of a Chestnut-bellied Malkoha instead since the Black-bellied should have a full dark red and more elongated orbital skin.

  • Anonymous

    You have a whole lot of my favourites here! The Himalayan Monal wins over most for me, because no photograph I have seen has ever done justice to the shimmer that the morning light leaves on its iridescent plumage. We have had the pleasure of observing this bird in Uttarakhand, northern India (where it is the state bird).
    The white-capped water redstart is also fascinating, and I’m glad you mentioned it here. We have some very fine “Encounter” posts with both of these species on our blog (some decent photos of the Monal, too — it’s the poor morning or evening light that kills most pictures). Do drop by and take a look sometime.

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