Koh Ker, Beng Mealea Forest Temples

Spend one day birding in Koh Ker and Beng Mealea Forest Temples - some of the most spectacular sites of ancient Khmer empire. This trip offers a rich and diverse range of bird species including: Black-headed and White-bellied Woodpecker, Velvet-fronted and Neglected Nuthatch, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Indochinese Bushlark, the beautiful White-Rumped Pygmy Falcon and the Collared Falconet.

Koh Ker gives you the opportunity to explore ancient Khmer history without the abundance of tourists. Koh Ker is a unique pyramidal temple built in 931 AD, strikingly reminiscent of the structures built by the Central American Maya. Not only is the appearance unique but also the history, as this was the location that became the capital of the Khmer Empire. This site also allows explorations in the dry and semi-evergreen forest among seldom-visited outlying temples to discover the birds and incredible butterflies.

Beng Mealea temple, thought to be the blueprint for Angkor Wat, gives the birder a chance to pick up some migrants from the north during December – March, often including the difficult-to-find White-throated Rock-thrush.

Subject to change depending on seasons and personal requests

Koh Ker and Beng Mealea

Key Species

Black-headed WoodpeckerWhite-bellied WoodpeckerWhite-rumped Pygmy FalconBrown PriniaRufous-winged BuzzardRed-billed Blue MagpieCollared FalconetGreen Bee-eaterBurmese ShrikeWhite-crested LaughingthrushGreat Slaty Woodpecker

Habitat

Deciduous dipterocarp forest with semi-evergreen forest patches.