Koh Ker is a 10th-century temple located in the northern jungle of Preah Vihear and the former capital of the Khmer Empire. While it is a less-visited site, it is regarded as one of the most unique and beautiful structures due to its seven-tiered pyramid design and densely forested surroundings. But what many visitors may not know is that it is also an excellent birdwatching site, providing a great opportunity to see some of Cambodia’s fascinating migrant and resident bird species!
Here is our list of the top 10 bird species to see around Koh Ker!
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1. White-rumped Pygmy-falcon
Scientific Name: Polihierax insignis
IUCN Classification: Near Threatened
Interesting Fact: Pygmy Falcons are likely to be found perched up and looking for their prey high on the end of a dead tree branch or treetop. They prey on lizards, baby snakes, large insects, and frogs. They are well camouflaged with a white body, black wings, tail, and back (females have a rusty head and male has a white head with dark stripe). Due to habitat loss, they are classified as a near-threatened species.
2. Rufous-winged Buzzard
Scientific Name: Butastur liventer
IUCN Classification: Least Concern
Interesting Fact: A medium size bird of prey that inhabits the dry dipterocarp forest (DDF). They are rufous winged with a grey body, yellow eyes, yellow-orange beak, legs, and feet that like to sit on an open part of the tree to wait for its prey. They can sometimes be found perched on a powerline or wire post.
3. Black-headed Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Picus erythropygius
IUCN Classification: Least Concern
Interesting Fact: Here we have the beautiful green woodpecker which can be found in dry dipterocarp forest (DDF) habitat. They are found mostly in pairs or in a small group of up to 4-6 birds. They have a black head, black wings, green body, yellow throat, neck, yellow beak and eyes, orange-red rump, and scaly underparts. They mainly feed on insects and certain types of fruit.
4. Brown Prinia
Scientific Name: Prinia polychroa
IUCN Classification: Least Concern
Interesting Fact: One of the large Prinia species that inhabits the dry dipterocarp forest (DDF) habitat. They like to stay low in the shrubby small bamboo (like the Russy Prich) and bushes in this type of habitat and can also be found at the edge of semi-evergreen and evergreen forests.
5. Red-billed Blue Magpie
Scientific Name: Urossa erythroryncha
IUCN Classification: Least Concern
Interesting Fact: This noisy large blue bird has a black hood, red bill, blue wings, and long tail with white marking and white body. They are mostly found in pairs or a small flock of up to 4-6 birds or more. They are more omnivorous.
6. Collared Falconet
Scientific Name: Microhierax caerulescens
IUCN Classification: Least Concern
Interesting Fact: This little bird of prey likes to perch in the open space, wireline, or wire post to wait for its prey. They prey on dragonflies, butterflies, small lizards, and baby snakes. They can be seen in dry dipterocarp forest (DDF) habitat, forest edge, and roadside.
7. Asian Green Bee-Eater
Scientific Name: Metopes orientalis
IUCN Classification: Least Concern
Interesting Fact: This is a very beautiful and lovely bird to see. This species has quite a big range and variety of habitats start from the low land of Grassland around Tonle Sap, countryside rice fields, deciduous forest in the Northern Plain and sometimes the mountainous areas in Dakdak Mundulkiri.
8. Burmese Shrike
Scientific Name: Laninus collurioides
IUCN Classification: Least Concern
Interesting Fact: Burmese Shrike is commonly found in the Northern Plain in Cambodia. The most easy place to look for this species is in the dry dipterocarp forest (DDF), but some populations can be found also at Dak Dam Mundulkiri Province, along the pine vegetation. Never to be confused with other birds as it is always quite noisy while perching. Another interesting fact is that the bird likes to catch dragonflies rather than bees.
9. White-crested Laughingthrush
Scientific Name: Garrulax leucolophus
IUCN Classification: Least Concern
Interesting Fact: A very noisy species which always moves and feeds in a big flock mixed with other species. They are quite shy but become very slow during noontime which makes it easier to observe them when they rest.
10. Great Slaty Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Mulleripicus pulverrulentus
IUCN Classification: Vulnerable Species
Interesting Fact: The Great Slaty Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in the world with a size of 48-58cm. Koh Ker comprises a big amount of deciduous forest and a mix of semi-evergreen which makes it a great habitat for this magnificent species.