Top 10 Birds to see around Phnom Krom

Phnom Krom is a 140-meter high ancient hill southwest of Siem Reap, known for its pre-Angkorian temple at its peak. Located near the edge of the Tonle Sap lake and seeing over 50 bird species, the habitats around Phnom Krom offers a fantastic opportunity for birding in just a short space of time, making this site the perfect half-day adventure. 

Read our SVC Guides selection of the Top Ten Birds of Phnom Krom

1. Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Pheasant-tailed Jacana – © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Hydrophasianus chirurgus

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

Yellow neck patch and black body with large white wings. Can be found in floating vegetation within the Tonle Sap floodplain.

Visit Pheasant-tailed Jacana Species Profile to learn more.

2. Bronze-winged Jacana

Bronzed-winged Jacana – © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Metopidius indicus

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

Found in densely vegetated wetlands in the Tonle Sap floodplain, this species main features is its long toes that help it walk on water.

Visit Bronze-winged Jacana species profile to learn more.

3. Oriental Reed-warbler

Oriental Reed-warbler – © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Acrocephalus orientalis

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

Occurs in well-vegatated ponds in the Tonle Sap floodplain. One of the largest Reed-Warbler species.

Visit Oriental Reed-warbler Species Profile to learn more.

4. Black-browed Reed-warbler

Black-browed Reed-warbler– © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Acrocephalus bistrigiceps

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

Brown upperparts and pale below with black brow spend their wintering here in the scrubby, bushy, reed bed near water edge and lotus ponds with other bird species in these habitats.

Visit Black-browed Reed-warbler Species Profile to learn more.

5. Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Blue-tailed Bee-eater © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Merops philippinus

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

A beautiful Bee-Eater species some are wintering and some are resident here. Green with a blue tail, yellow chin, broad eye-line and chestnut throat and upper breast.

Visit Blue-tailed Bee-eater Species Profile to learn more.

6. Indochinese Roller

Indochinese Roller © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Coracias benghalensis

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

Interesting Fact: A stocky, big head bird, dark blue, blue and some white wings patches. This is species have a wild range across the country.

Visit Indochinese Roller Species Profile to learn more.

7. Cinnamon Bittern

Cinnamon Bittern © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Anastomus oscitans

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

This cinnamon or rusty plumage guy mostly hidding in the dense vegetation, bushes near water edge, perch very stilt on plants stem to wait for their preys and we can always have a good look when they fly from hidden spot.

Visit Cinnamon Bittern Species Profile to learn more.

8. Yellow Bittern

Yellow Bittern © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Ixobrychus sinensis

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

They are in the same habitat and behaviour as Cinnamon Bittern. It looks orangish-yellow with dark wings contrast, we can see well in flight.

Visit Yellow Bittern Species Profile to learn more.

9. Lesser Coucal

Lesser Coucal © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Centropus bengalensis

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

A scrubby, bushy and tall reed bed near water edge with brown, dark brown tail and pale streaking all over. They will come out of the vegetation after sunrise to enjoy the sundry.

Visit Lesser Coucal Species Profile to learn more.

10. Greater Coucal

Greater Coucal © Mony Sang / SVC

Scientific Name: Centropus sinensis

IUCN Classification: Least Concern

Black with chestnut or rusty wings and red eyes share the same habitat with Lesser and more wild spreading in variety of habitats.

Visit Greater Coucal Species Profile to learn more.