Top 10 Birds in Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary

Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is a globally significant bird site located in the Great Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve (about 27 km from Siem Reap town). Home to Southeast Asia’s largest waterbird colony, Prek Toal is an important breeding ground for globally threatened and near-threatened bird species such as the Spot-billed Pelican and Milky Stork. For many birders, Prek Toal has become a must-visit site for its rich biodiversity and rare birdlife which are particularly abundant in the dry season. 

Read our SVC Guides selection of the Top Ten Birds of this incredible site! 

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1. Milky Stork

Scientific Name: Mycteria cinerea

IUCN Classification: Endangered

A large white Stork with a yellow bill that inhabits coastal mangroves, marshes, and mudflats (very rarely are they found far inland). Prek Toal is the best place to see this endangered species breeds and great for observation. January to April is the best time to see this species as the bird starts breeding and raising their chicks.

Visit Milky Stork species profile to learn more.

2. Greater Adjutant

Scientific Name: Leptoptilos dubius

IUCN Classification: Endangered

The Greater Adjutant is the biggest Stork in Cambodia. The immense and imposing undertaker of a stork with a bare head and neck, pale eyes, and dark grey wings. Some populations are found in the Northern Plains of Cambodia and sometimes seen foraging among the vultures. But Prek Toal is the best location to see this rare stork in Cambodia.

Visit Greater Adjutant species profile to learn more.

3. Lesser Adjutant

Scientific Name: Leptoptilos javanicus

IUCN Classification: Vulnerable

This species’ size is slightly different from Greater Adjutant and they also occur in this area and have their breeding colony among other waterbird species. This is the last breeding group that arrived in the area and they mainly feed on fish.

Visit Lesser Adjutant species profile to learn more.

4. Grey-headed Fish-Eagle

Scientific Name: Icthyophaga ichthyaetus

IUCN Classification: Near Threatened

This is the strongest predator in Prek Toal. Vocal; often detected by its hoarse yelping screams. This Gray-headed Fish-eagle breeds and lives a whole year in this area. Their main food is the bigger fish in Tonle Sap lake, such as Snakehead Fish and occasionally on reptiles.

Visit Grey-headed Fish-Eagle species profile to learn more.

5. Great Cormorant

Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax carbo

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

Large cormorant found nearly worldwide. Note its large size, white patch on the throat and crest.

Visit Great Cormorant species profile to learn more.

6. Spot-billed Pelican

Scientific Name: Pelecanus philippensis

IUCN Classification: Near Threatened

Interesting Fact: Prek Toal is the only remaining breeding site for the Spot-billed Pelican, a large pale waterbird with a hefty pinkish pouched bill marked with diagnostic dark spots on the upper mandible. This magnificent bird breeds and forages in a big group. 

Visit Spot-billed Pelican species profile to learn more.

7. Asian Openbill

Scientific Name: Anastomus oscitans

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

There is a huge number of this stork species that occur here. They mainly forage on the floating vegetation for snails.

Visit Asian Openbill species profile to learn more.

8. Oriental Darter

Scientific Name: Anhinga melanogaster

IUCN Classification: Near Threatened

This near-threatened species is known for its distinct curved long neck, which looks snake-like while its body is submerged in water.

 Visit Oriental Darter species profile to learn more.

9. Painted Stork

Scientific Name: Mycteria leucocephala

IUCN Classification: Near Threatened

A large stork with the long yellow bill that curves down at the tip. This beautiful stork comes to the Prek Toal bird sanctuary around December and making nests all over the tree canopies and bushes.

Visit Painted Stork species profile to learn more.

10. Indian Cormorant

Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax fuscicollis

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

An all-black ducklike waterbird with blue-green eyes, a rounded head, a sloping forehead, and a long and slender bill that is sharply hooked at the tip. There are thousands of Indian Cormorants breeding in Prek Toal area and share the habitats with many other large waterbirds in this area.

Visit Indian Cormorant species profile to learn more.