Cambodia is home to some of the rarest birds on the planet with some of the only sites in the world to see some critically endangered bird species (such as the Giant Ibis). Learn about the 7 critically endangered bird species in Cambodia, where to see them and how you can support vital conservation efforts to protect them from extinction.
The Giant Ibis is one of the largest ibis in the world and it is Cambodia’s National bird. Populations of the Giant Ibis used to be spread over much of mainland Southeast Asia before their populations rapidly declined as a result of hunting, deforestation and human disturbance. It was believed to be extinct as it went unrecorded for more than 50 years until it was rediscovered by the Wildlife Conservation Society in 1993. Around 99% of the recorded population is in Cambodia, making it the most important country in the world for Giant Ibis conservation.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated Population: Less than 300 globally
Where they can be seen: Tmat Boey in Preah Vihear Province is the most important place for hardcore birdwatchers to see this rare species, but they can also be seen at Prey Veng Village, Okoki and Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant.
Best time to see them: Giant Ibis start to breed in the rainy season, so the best time to see them is from Nov-May, but with the special birding skills of the local community members (local guides), tourists can see them at Tmat Boey all year round.
See our 3-day Giant Ibis Experience
Like the Giant Ibis, the White-shouldered Ibis has faced rapid population decline due to habitat loss, hunting and human disturbance and are now found almost exclusively in Cambodia.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: There are around 670 globally with 85-95% in Cambodia.
Where they can be seen: Tmat Boey in Preah Vihear Province, Bengal Florican Grasslands in Siem Reap Province, and Kratie Province.
Best time to see them: They start to breed during the dry season, so the best time to see them is from Nov-May. But with the special skill from the local people (local guides) tourists can come to visit Tmat Boey every month.
See the White-shouldered Ibis on our 3 Day Giant Ibis Experience
The Red-headed vulture is a critically endangered large vulture species that used to be found widespread across Southeast Asia. Today they are found in low numbers across India and the Northern & Eastern Plains of Cambodia. Its extreme rapid population decline has largely been a a result of residues of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac used to treat domestic livestock. A large part of the population now relies on the Supplemental Feeding Program at Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant.
This species it now found in low numbers across India except in the western Himalayan foothills where it is common. It was previously widespread in Southeast Asia however it is now believed to be primarily restricted to northern and eastern plains of Cambodia and considered nearly extinct in Thailand.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: 20-30 in Cambodia
Where can they can be seen: Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant in Chheb Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear Province.
When is the best time to see them: Can be seen year round, but it is recommended to see them during the dry season (November – May) for easier transport.
A critically endangered species that is Native to the Sub-Himalyan regions and Southeast Asia, the Slender-billed Vulture is today found in small populations in South and Southeast Asia. Like the Red-headed Vulture, this species has suffered from rapid population largely as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary dug diclofenac. A large part of the population in Cambodia relies on the Supplemental Feeding Program at Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant.
Estimated population: 35-45 in Cambodia.
Where they can be seen: Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant in Chheb Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear Province.
When is the best time to see them: Can be seen year round, but it is recommended to see them during the dry season (November – May) for easier transport.
See the Vultures on our Wild Temples & Critical Wildlife Tour
Another critically endangered vulture species, today occurring in South & Southeast Asia. This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because it has suffered an extremely rapid decline primarily as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: 66-80 in Cambodia
Where they can be seen: Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant in Chheb Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear Province.
When is the best time to see them: Can be seen year round, but it is recommended to see them during the dry season (November – May) for easier transport.
See the Vultures on our Wild Temples & Critical Wildlife Tour
The Bengal Florican is a critically endangered large grassland bird. Small populations can be found from India to Vietnam with the largest population breeding in the Florican Grassplains (around the Tonle Sap Great lake). This makes Cambodia the most important country for Bengal Florican conservation. Its population decline is mostly driven by habitat loss due to agricultural intensification. Today, the Cambodian government has established six protected areas to safeguard the Bengal Florican (known as the Bengal Florican Conservation Areas) where a partnership of conservation NGOs and government agencies are working to protect their habitat and protect their nests from intensive development activities and hunting.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: Global population fewer than 800, with just over 100 in Cambodia.
Where can they be found: Bengal Florican Grasslands and Pursat Grasslands
When is the best time to see them: December to May
See our Bengal Florican Half-Day Tour
Masked Finfoot (Heliopais personatus) is an endangered bird species confined to specific regions within South-East Asia. Due to ongoing population decline, it has recently been classified as a critically endangered species. In Cambodia, this is one of the rarest species in the country where the last viewing was in 2015.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: It is believed to be less than 2,000 Masked Finfoot globally. The population in Cambodia is unknown, but it is optimistically estimated at 10-15 pairs here.
Where can they be found: Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear Province.
When is the best time to see them: Very poorly known but surveys indicate that the species does nest in the wet season (Between May – September).
Learn about and support SVC’s Masked Finfoot Expedition
The post 7 Rarest Birds in Cambodia appeared first on Sam Veasna Conservation Tours.
Giant Ibis – © Phann Sithan / WCS
1. Giant Ibis
The Giant Ibis is one of the largest ibis in the world and it is Cambodia’s National bird. Populations of the Giant Ibis used to be spread over much of mainland Southeast Asia before their populations rapidly declined as a result of hunting, deforestation and human disturbance. It was believed to be extinct as it went unrecorded for more than 50 years until it was rediscovered by the Wildlife Conservation Society in 1993. Around 99% of the recorded population is in Cambodia, making it the most important country in the world for Giant Ibis conservation.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated Population: Less than 300 globally
Where they can be seen: Tmat Boey in Preah Vihear Province is the most important place for hardcore birdwatchers to see this rare species, but they can also be seen at Prey Veng Village, Okoki and Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant.
Best time to see them: Giant Ibis start to breed in the rainy season, so the best time to see them is from Nov-May, but with the special birding skills of the local community members (local guides), tourists can see them at Tmat Boey all year round.
See our 3-day Giant Ibis Experience
White-shouldered Ibis – © SVC
2. White-shouldered Ibis
Like the Giant Ibis, the White-shouldered Ibis has faced rapid population decline due to habitat loss, hunting and human disturbance and are now found almost exclusively in Cambodia.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: There are around 670 globally with 85-95% in Cambodia.
Where they can be seen: Tmat Boey in Preah Vihear Province, Bengal Florican Grasslands in Siem Reap Province, and Kratie Province.
Best time to see them: They start to breed during the dry season, so the best time to see them is from Nov-May. But with the special skill from the local people (local guides) tourists can come to visit Tmat Boey every month.
See the White-shouldered Ibis on our 3 Day Giant Ibis Experience
Red-Headed Vulture – © Mardy Sean / SVC
3. Red-headed Vulture
The Red-headed vulture is a critically endangered large vulture species that used to be found widespread across Southeast Asia. Today they are found in low numbers across India and the Northern & Eastern Plains of Cambodia. Its extreme rapid population decline has largely been a a result of residues of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac used to treat domestic livestock. A large part of the population now relies on the Supplemental Feeding Program at Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant.
This species it now found in low numbers across India except in the western Himalayan foothills where it is common. It was previously widespread in Southeast Asia however it is now believed to be primarily restricted to northern and eastern plains of Cambodia and considered nearly extinct in Thailand.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: 20-30 in Cambodia
Where can they can be seen: Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant in Chheb Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear Province.
When is the best time to see them: Can be seen year round, but it is recommended to see them during the dry season (November – May) for easier transport.
Slender-billed Vulture – © SVC
4. Slender-billed Vulture
A critically endangered species that is Native to the Sub-Himalyan regions and Southeast Asia, the Slender-billed Vulture is today found in small populations in South and Southeast Asia. Like the Red-headed Vulture, this species has suffered from rapid population largely as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary dug diclofenac. A large part of the population in Cambodia relies on the Supplemental Feeding Program at Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant.
Estimated population: 35-45 in Cambodia.
Where they can be seen: Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant in Chheb Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear Province.
When is the best time to see them: Can be seen year round, but it is recommended to see them during the dry season (November – May) for easier transport.
See the Vultures on our Wild Temples & Critical Wildlife Tour
White-rumped Vulture © Phann Sithan / WCS
5. White-rumped Vulture
Another critically endangered vulture species, today occurring in South & Southeast Asia. This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because it has suffered an extremely rapid decline primarily as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: 66-80 in Cambodia
Where they can be seen: Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant in Chheb Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear Province.
When is the best time to see them: Can be seen year round, but it is recommended to see them during the dry season (November – May) for easier transport.
See the Vultures on our Wild Temples & Critical Wildlife Tour
Bengal Florican – © Mony Sang
6. Bengal Florican
The Bengal Florican is a critically endangered large grassland bird. Small populations can be found from India to Vietnam with the largest population breeding in the Florican Grassplains (around the Tonle Sap Great lake). This makes Cambodia the most important country for Bengal Florican conservation. Its population decline is mostly driven by habitat loss due to agricultural intensification. Today, the Cambodian government has established six protected areas to safeguard the Bengal Florican (known as the Bengal Florican Conservation Areas) where a partnership of conservation NGOs and government agencies are working to protect their habitat and protect their nests from intensive development activities and hunting.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: Global population fewer than 800, with just over 100 in Cambodia.
Where can they be found: Bengal Florican Grasslands and Pursat Grasslands
When is the best time to see them: December to May
See our Bengal Florican Half-Day Tour
Masked Finfoot – © Phichit Bhumadhana
7. Masked Finfoot
Masked Finfoot (Heliopais personatus) is an endangered bird species confined to specific regions within South-East Asia. Due to ongoing population decline, it has recently been classified as a critically endangered species. In Cambodia, this is one of the rarest species in the country where the last viewing was in 2015.
IUCN Classification: Critically Endangered
Estimated population: It is believed to be less than 2,000 Masked Finfoot globally. The population in Cambodia is unknown, but it is optimistically estimated at 10-15 pairs here.
Where can they be found: Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear Province.
When is the best time to see them: Very poorly known but surveys indicate that the species does nest in the wet season (Between May – September).
Learn about and support SVC’s Masked Finfoot Expedition
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The post 7 Rarest Birds in Cambodia appeared first on Sam Veasna Conservation Tours.