Other birds of Tan Phu forest, Vietnam

[Ramon Quisumbing]

In addition to my 2 previous postings, here are other birds that I captured on my visit to Tan Phu forest last February 24.

Canon 1D Mark IV camera, Canon 800 mm lens, tripod with half-gimbal head.

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)

F/5.6, ISO-800, 1/1250 sec.

Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) male

F/5.6, ISO-400, 1/500 sec.


F/5.6, ISO-400, 1/500 sec.

Crimson Sunbird female (as identified by my bird guide Quang)

F/5.6, ISO-1250, 1/3200 sec.


F/5.6, ISO-1250, 1/3200 sec.

Bar-Winged Flycatcher-Shrike (Hemipus picatus)

1.4x TC, F/8, ISO-800, 1/160 sec.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

1.4x TC, F/8, ISO-1250, 1/320 sec.

Chestnut-Headed Bee-Eater (Merops leschenaulti)

F/5.6, ISO-400, 1/2000 sec.

Stripe-Throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus finlaysoni)

F/5.6, ISO-400, 1/800 sec.

Olive-Backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) female feeding her young in a hanging nest

F/5.6, ISO-400, 1/500 sec.

Yellow-Vented Flowerpecker (Dicaeum chrysorrheum)

1.4x TC, F/8, ISO-1250, 1/500 sec.

White-Throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) - I note that the white throat is bigger than that of our WTK, and the chestnut color is darker.

1.4x TC, F/8, ISO-800, 1/500 sec.


F/5.6, ISO-1250, 1/800 sec.

In the middle of Tan Phu forest is a dangerous fast-flowing river. I saw this Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos).

1.4x TC, F/8, ISO-400, 1/400 sec.

Documentary shot of a Grey-Eyed Bulbul (Iole propinqua)

1.4x TC, F/8, ISO-1250, 1/500 sec.

Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus). I saw several of these spectacular Drongos with very very long racket-tails, but could not get any clear shots.

1.4x TC, F/8, ISO-1600, 1/100 sec.

Documentary shot of a Red-Breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri) with a White-Throated Kingfisher

1.4x TC, F/8, ISO-800, 1/1600 sec.

I saw about 10 more lifers but could not photograph them. I have to visit Tan Phu forest again with superb bird guide Quang.

[Ariel Matias]

Vietnam looks promising as well..I assume it is also much easier to shoot there comapre to Philippines as proven by your pictures. Those shots of the Kingfishers are nicely done.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Ariel. Yes, Vietnam has lots more birds. It seems that Tan Phu forest has about 5 times as many birds as Mt. Banahaw, and they are not as scared of humans as Phil. birds.

[Ely Teehankee]

Considering how it was bombed and they still have a lot of birds means there is hope for our country if only they will implement the laws of illegal logging and killing & selling of birds. This is the first time for me to see the White-throated Kingfisher. It is so clear that our WTKF is so different from the rest of the world and yet it was only recently that they declared ours as endemic. Well done Ramon & Mabuhay.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Ely.

[Tonji Ramos]

Looks like a great place for bird photography. Thanks for sharing Ramon.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Tonji.

[Mark Itol]

Such a lovely set of beautiful birds. Some (those we don't have here) also look very similar to what we have here in PH.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

I agree, Mark, thanks.