Thailand Birding: Birds on the Balcony

Today I received an e-mail from Jorgen Eriksson with a very nice photo of a Blue Rock Thrush attached (see below).

Apparently this bird made Jorgen's back yard in Bangkok its winter territory last year and now it has returned for a second year. I am constantly amazed at how many species can exist in such an urbanised area as Bangkok, a sentiment shared by Jorgen in his e-mail to me. In fact, Bangkok has quite a high level of biodiversity due to its fairly haphazard development; many areas have patches of wasteland and unkempt corners and these along with small yards, balconies with plants and a few parks creates a number of foraging opportunities for birds.

Even in an area as busy as Sukhumvit and its side roads birds such as Plaintive Cuckoo, Plain Prinia, Brown Shrike, Common Iora, Scaly-breasted Munia, Olive-backed Sunbird and Coppersmith Barbet can be found.

Particularly at this time of year, when migration is in full swing Leaf Warblers, Flycatchers and Shrikes often turn up in gardens of shopping centres, restaurants, embassies as well as Bangkok's parks, making it worth keeping ones eyes open even the most central areas of the city, indeed, Bangkok is one of the best places for watching House Swifts in huge flocks an hour or so before dusk - try standing on Chidlom Skytrain station at 5.30pm and watch the House Swifts swooping around in front of you.

However, if you see any Weavers flying around in central Bangkok they were certainly victims of the release-birds-to-make-merit trade: Weavers for sale on Sukhumvit Road.