Phetchabun Birding Trip Report – Chasing the Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo

When reports began circulating that both Eared Pitta and Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo were regularly visiting a small forest waterhole at a ranger station in Phetchabun, we knew we had to make the journey.

Access to the hide is limited, with only six seats available each day, and demand was understandably high. As soon as a slot became available, we headed to Phetchabun hoping for an encounter with two of Thailand’s most sought-after forest birds.

Unfortunately, the timing coincided with the arrival of the seasonal rains. Conditions became increasingly difficult, with heavy rain affecting bird activity throughout our stay.

Despite the weather, the waterhole still produced some memorable moments.

The stars of the show were a beautiful male and female Eared Pitta, both visiting the waterhole and providing excellent views. Watching these stunning forest jewels emerge from the dark undergrowth was a reminder of why tropical forest birding remains so addictive.

The Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo proved far more elusive.

On the second day, we heard the bird calling continuously from the surrounding forest for nearly thirty minutes. The haunting calls echoed through the valley, raising hopes that the bird would eventually appear at the waterhole. Unfortunately, despite its prolonged vocal activity, the cuckoo remained hidden deep within the forest and never revealed itself.

The hide also produced several other excellent species including Black-throated Laughingthrush, indo chinese blue flycatcher, brown cheeked fulvetta and Purple-naped Spiderhunter, and a lone malayan night heron on the entrance road making the wait worthwhile despite the challenging weather conditions.

With rain continuing almost non-stop and little sign of improving conditions, we decided to leave Phetchabun after the second day and continue our search elsewhere.

Our next stop was Khao Yai National Park.

Even there, the Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo continued to tease us. While birding along the main road, we again heard the bird calling from very close range. For a brief moment it felt as though a sighting was finally within reach. However, as traffic increased, the bird moved away into the forest before it could be located.

Although the cuckoo remained unseen, Khao Yai still delivered some excellent birding.

Highlights included Banded Kingfisher, Blue-winged Leafbird, Hill Myna, Banded Broadbill, Pied Hornbill and a vocal Collared Owlet calling from the forest.

While the Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo escaped us on this occasion, the trip was another reminder that some of Southeast Asia’s most sought-after birds cannot be taken for granted. Sometimes the pursuit itself becomes the story.

And with both Eared Pitta and Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo continuing to be reported from the region, we are certain this won’t be our last visit to the forests of Phetchabun.