CAMBODIA TOUR
21 days

After being roiled for 25 years by civil war, foreign occupation, political instability, and poor security, Cambodia has calmed down and is now emerging as a prime birding destination. The poverty of the country, combined with all the political turbulence, has left it in a time warp, with its development lagging far behind other Asian countries. Thus there are still some fine forested areas and some of the most prolific wetlands in Asia, as well as remnant populations of some of the world’s most endangered species of birds. Our prime objective on this tour will be to see the Giant Ibis, White-shouldered Ibis, and White-winged Duck, all critically endangered. Other localized and/or rare special birds we have a chance of seeing are: Spot-billed Pelican, Milky Stork, Greater Adjutant, White-rumped and Slender-billed Vultures, Rufous-winged Buzzard, White-rumped Falcon, Chestnut-headed Partridge, Bengal Florican, Pale-capped Pigeon (with luck), Black-headed Woodpecker, Mekong Wagtail, Brown-rumped Minivet and Manchurian Reed-Warbler (maybe).

We may also see Indian Cormorant, Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Comb Duck, Black Baza, Grey-headed Fish-Eagle, Red-headed Vulture, Chinese Francolin, Scaly-breasted Partridge, Sarus Crane, Grey-headed and Blossom-headed Parakeets, Pale-rumped Swiftlet,  Rufous-bellied, Laced, Streak-throated, Black-and-buff, and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, Blue-winged Pitta, Burmese Shrike, Streaked Wren-Babbler, and Vinous-breasted Starling.

Our tour is operated by a Cambodian non-governmental organization dedicated to conservation, under the guidance of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Our visits to several important conservation areas are structured to assist the local folks upon whom the future of the birds rest. Leader: Ben King