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.
INTERESTED A TOUR?
Thinking about visiting Phnom Kraom? We run half-day tours all year departing from Siem Reap Town. Click the button below to learn more or contact booktour@samveasna.com