10 of Vietnam's rarest and most unusual birds
Vietnam is a country with rich and diverse ecosystems, home to many rare bird species. Some of them have unusual names and distinctive calls...
Hodgson's frogmouth: This rare bird usually lives in broadleaf or secondary forests in central and south-central Vietnam. Hodgson's frogmouth measures 24.5-27.5 cm in length. It is usually hard to spot, as it tends to live at elevations of 900-1,900 m.
Chestnut-winged cuckoo: This bird has dull black upperparts, a rufous-yellow throat and rufous-red wings. Notably, during the breeding season it usually lays 1-2 eggs, parasitizing the nests of laughingthrushes.
Indian cuckoo: This bird has a wide range and can be found throughout the country, but it is most common in several large national parks such as Cúc Phương in northern Vietnam and Cát Tiên in southern Vietnam. Its unusual Vietnamese name, "bắt cô trói cột", comes largely from its call.
Spotted forktail: This resident bird lives along rocky streams in mountainous forests at elevations of about 900-2,500 m. It is found in Afghanistan, India, China, Vietnam and elsewhere.
Red-headed trogon: With its brown plumage and distinctive red belly, the red-headed trogon is quite eye-catching. It occurs in forests across the country at elevations of about 50-2,600 m.
Pied avocet: This bird has a long bill that curves at the tip. It usually forages in shallow waters such as ponds, lakes, coastal tidal flats and large rivers.
Eurasian hoopoe: The hoopoe is a small bird, measuring only 27-32.5 cm. It is brightly colored, especially on the neck, head and crest, the crest being the main inspiration for its Vietnamese name, "đầu rìu" ("axe head").
Hoét mặt đỏ ("red-faced thrush"): This bird migrates to Vietnam from the north. The male has a bright orange-yellow face and breast that make it easy to recognize. It usually lives in evergreen forests at elevations of about 1,500 m and can sometimes be seen in gardens.
Stork-billed kingfisher: It usually lives along large rivers and lakes or near broadleaf forests. The stork-billed kingfisher is strikingly colorful, with mostly blue wings and a yellowish neck. Notably, its bill is very long and large.
Đuôi cụt bụng đỏ ("red-bellied pitta"): This species migrates south to Vietnam from the north. It is a small passerine bird. Its numbers are currently declining rapidly due to deforestation within its range, mainly for agriculture and logging.
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