Birds of Chiang Mai (CNX) - October 2026

Chiang Mai province is situated in the Northern part of Thailand. It's about 400+km from Bangkok and about 110km from Chiang Rai. It has lots of nice Buddhist temples and other tourist attractions but I went there recently for their "nope" (🐦birds) and "Pee Sir" (🦋butterflies). Apparently, Thailand has about 1000 + species of birds while the number of its butterflies is about 1700 (including subspecies). In Northern part alone there were about 1300 species of butterflies been recorded. 

Here are just some of the birds seen around Mae Rim, Doi Suthep and Mae Kampung areas which are all within the Chiang Mai province. 

Blue Rock Thrush 

Monticola solitarius madoci

This one is most likely a male.

Blue Rock Thrush 

Monticola solitarius madoci

This one looks like a female. Both were seen at the entrance of a temple. Not sure whether they are resident or migrant birds.

I also saw quite a number of their local birds.

White-crested Laughingthrush 

Garullax leucolophus belangeri

It has some soft mewing calls unlike those loud cackling calls you would often hear.

Oriental Honey Buzzard (OHB)

Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis

According to the raptor experts, this is an adult female and a migrant raptor.

White-breasted Woodswallow 

Artamus leucorynchus amydrus

There were quite a number of this Woodswallow species here.

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Pycnonotus jocosus emeria

Another local bird.

Blue-throated Barbet 

Psilopogon asiaticus davisoni

Common Tailorbird 

Orthotomus sutorius inexpectatus 

Looks the same as ours in Malaysia 😀

Asian Koel 

Eudynamys scolopaceus chinensis

Female 

Asian Koel 

Eudynamys scolopaceus chinensis

Male

This male is much smaller and it didn't "scream" so loud like the ones we often hear over here.

White-rumped Munia 

Lonchura striata subsquamicollis

Scaly-breasted Munia 

Lonchura punctulata topela

This munia species doesn't have bold scales like the ones over in Peninsular Malaysia.

Long-tailed shrike 

Lanius schach shach or maybe longicaudatus

Sooty-headed Bulbul 

Pycnonotus aurigaster klossi or perhaps P. a schauenseei

This Bulbul was seen at about 600m asl.

House Sparrow 

Passer domesticus indicus

House Sparrow 

Passer domesticus indicus

Don't see many of them though.

Common Myna aka Indian Myna

Acridotheres tristis tristis 

There are also not many of this Myna species seen in this province.

Free roaming Red Junglefowl chicks.

Gallus Gallus spadiceus

 This is no ordinary chicken. It's a fighting cock.

Even their hens look different.

So as their Rock Pigeon.

We went thru their campus grounds to get to the other side of town 😊

They even have a specialised Faculty for Neurology and Psychiatry. 😯

Enroute to Mae Kampung.

A land of flowers 

These are the iconic taxi called Songthaews. For just 40 baht, they will take you around the city.

One of their ancient temples. No entry for this one.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS 

KOP KHUN KRAP 🙏

Birds and Butterflies of West Java (Java Barat) - 2026

Most tourists would visit this Java island for one thing i.e to see the great Buddhist temple of Borobudor ! Well, for me I took the opportunity to see what I like to see most - Birds and Butterflies ! I did manage to see a few endemic birds including the rare Javan-hawk Eagle as well as some butterflies. Here are just some of them which I managed to get.

Javan Munia

Lonchura leucogastroides

This is the most common bird you will come across on this island. The first endemic bird I saw here.

Javan Munia

Lonchura leucogastroides

They can be found almost in every locations - in the city, country side, parks, forest edges etc.

Javan Munia

Lonchura leucogastroides

However, most of the time, I just saw a few of them, usually 2 or 3 in all locations.

White-headed Munia

Lonchura maja

This munia is however not as many as the Javan Munia.

Scaly-breasted Munia

Lonchura punctulata

Over here in Malaysia, we would usually find this munia near paddy fields or country side. This munia was shot in the city.

Sooty-headed Bulbul

Pycnonotus aurigaster 

This Bulbul is probably 2nd most common bird here after the above Javan Munia. They can be seen in both country sides as well as city parks. Some were kept as pets too. Their calls are quite distinctive. 

Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker

Dicaeum trochileum 

This flowerpecker species is also an endemic bird in West Java and this one was identified for me by Pak Morten Strange.

Cave Swiftlet

Collocalia linchi

I am not sure whether this swiftlet is an endemic here but I believe you can't find them in Malaysia. 

Cave Swiftlet

Collocalia linchi

These were shot at the countryside and they were identified with the help from Dr James Eaton.

Here is an endemic raptor ! 

Spotted Kestrel

Falco moluccensis

It was thermaling quite a distance away. So lucky to see it although I missed the Javan-hawk Eagle which flew right in front of our departing car. The eagle was identified by our driver cum guide who told us that it can be seen quite often here although usually in a single number.

I think everyone would know what eagle is this one but if you look closer it's actually quite different than the ones we see in Peninsular Malaysia.

Crested Serpent Eagle (CSE)

Spilornis cheela bido

The CSE here apparently has bold stripes on its belly while the ones we see in Peninsular Malaysia are usually spotted.

Here are a few cage birds which I happened to see. It's a culture here to own a bird or two and most of the birds I've seen have rings on their legs. That means it is quite a regulated thing here to rare cage birds 👍

I believe the above is a finch.

Another finch I think. Do they actually sing well - I wonder?

You can clearly see the ring / band on its leg.

Goodness - a Quail too ! 😂

This chicken is considered a bird too right ?

Now we moved to some endemic butterflies. 

Horsfield Baron

Cynitia iapis bottgeri

This is a female apparently and it was identified by our great butterfly sifu (Mr Teo).

Danaid Eggfly

Hypolimnas misipus

This butterfly is quite common I think because I have seen them in a few locations.

Danaid Eggfly

Hypolimnas misipus

It sure looks like our Eggflies from its upperside.

Danaid Eggfly

Hypolimnas misipus

Aside from the above endemics, there were also some familiar looking butterflies.

Peacock Royal

Tajuria cippus

Redbase Jezebel

Delias pasithoe

Over in Peninsular Malaysia, you can see this species of Jezebel mostly on higher elevations such as Genting or Fraser's Hill. This one however was seen in a lowland jungle.

Lemon Emigrant

Catopsilia pomona

Great Orange Tip

Hebomoia glaucippe 

Fried hoppers !

A good part time hobby to occupy the mind.

Over here they are called benzin !

The great and still active Mount Merapi ! Locals will tell you that "sini semuanya aman Pak" !

Each of these stupas have a statue of Guatama Buddha in them.

A nyonya admiring those majestic stupas.

Looks like in Hawaii.

Nothing like a farewell dance from a Javanese troupe. Apparently not all people can join the troupe. Only those who has an ancestry lineage can join them.

BISA DATANG LAGI PAK !