THE ENDEMIC BIRDS OF VIETNAM

Photos contribute by: Sam Thuong, Quang Hao Nguyen, Thang Nguyen, Jim Geoge 

There are now considered to be twelve true Vietnameseendemics if we count species found only in Vietnam. Two species, ImperialPheasant (Lophura imperialis) and Vietnamese Pheasant (Lophura hatinhensis), are no longer considered true species.Imperial Pheasant is now thought to be an Edwards’s x Silver Pheasant hybrid andis considered an invalid taxon by BirdLife International. Vietnamese Pheasantis most likely just a form of Edwards’s Pheasant.The twelve endemicspecies are:

1. Collared Laughingthrush (Garrulax yersini)

2. Grey-crowned Crocias (Crocias langbianis)

3. Vietnam Greenfinch (Carduelis monguilloti)

4. Golden-winged Laughingthrush (Garrulax ngoclinhensis)

5. Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush (Garrulax konkakinhensis)

6. Edwards's Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)

7. Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Garrulax annamensis)

8. White-throated Wren-babbler (Rimator pasquieri)

9. Black-crowned Fulvetta (Alcippe klossi)

10. Tonkin Partridge (Arborophila tonkinensis)

11. Vietnamese Cutia (Cutia legalleni)

12. Pale-throated wren-babbler (Spelaeornis chocolatinus)

Possible future endemics
In addition to the twelve true Vietnamese endemics, there are several very distinct races of some bird species found in the Dalat Plateau Endemic Bird Area that may prove to be full species at some time in the future. Among these potential new species are:

13. Blue-winged Minla (Minla cyanouroptera orientalis)

14. Rufous-backed Sibia (Heterophasia annectens eximia)

15. Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata johnsi)

16. Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra meridionalis)

17. Brown Bullfinch (Pyrrhula nipalensis)

18. Dalat Bush Warbler (Locustella idonea)

19. Dalat Shrike Babbler (Pteruthius flaviscapis)