Fang Birding Trip Report: Doi Lang & Doi Ang Khang

Dates: December 2025
Location: Fang District, Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Expedition Leader: Sachin Pushkarna (Travelderness Thailand)
Focus: Sino-Himalayan Montane Specialists & Bird Photography

Introduction: Winter Birding in Northern Thailand

December is one of the best times of year to explore the mountains of Northern Thailand. Cool temperatures, clear mornings and active mixed feeding flocks make the high-altitude forests around Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khang particularly productive.

This short two-day expedition based out of Fang focused on some of the region’s most sought-after montane species. Rather than covering large distances, we concentrated our efforts on key mountain roads, established stakeouts and productive forest trails in search of localized specialties and quality photographic opportunities.

Day 1: Doi Lang & Doi San Ju

An early start from Fang saw us climbing the winding mountain roads towards Doi Lang and Doi San Ju.

The birding began before we even reached the higher elevations. A beautiful Black-backed Forktail was feeding along the roadside, while a covey of Mountain Bamboo Partridges calmly foraged beside the road, providing excellent views and photography opportunities.

One of our primary targets for the day was Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant. Upon reaching the well-known stakeout, we found a sizeable gathering of birders already waiting. We spent around thirty minutes at the site hoping for an appearance, but the pheasant remained elusive. Fortunately, the wait was not without reward, as a White-browed Shrike-babbler showed well nearby and several mixed feeding flocks moved through the surrounding forest.

As the morning progressed, activity increased considerably along the ridge-top forests. Silver-eared Laughingthrushes and Spectacled Barwings were among the first birds encountered, followed by both Red-eyed and White-browed Scimitar-babblers feeding among the moss-covered vegetation.

A Slaty-blue Flycatcher briefly paused in the open, while Yunnan Fulvettas moved actively through the canopy.

The higher elevations produced some of the day’s most memorable sightings. We enjoyed excellent views of Giant Nuthatch, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch and Hume’s Treecreeper, all feeding within the same general area. These species are among the key reasons birders visit Northern Thailand during winter and seeing them so well was a major highlight.

Later in the afternoon, a Spot-breasted Scimitar-babbler called repeatedly from dense bamboo thickets, while a Spot-breasted Parrotbill eventually showed beautifully in the open. A Scarlet-faced Liocichla called persistently from roadside vegetation but never emerged from cover despite several attempts to locate it.

By the end of the day, the mountain forests had produced an impressive selection of Northern Thailand’s most desirable montane specialists.

Day 2: Doi Ang Khang

The second day was dedicated to the productive forests, gardens and valleys around Doi Ang Khang.

Our morning began by searching flowering and fruiting trees, a strategy that paid off almost immediately. A flowering canopy tree held an active mixed flock containing one of the region’s most sought-after species, the White-headed Bulbul.

The bird showed exceptionally well as it fed alongside Mountain Bulbuls and numerous Black Bulbuls, providing prolonged views and excellent photographic opportunities.

Moving through the gardens, we encountered the striking Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird feeding among flowering plants while Long-tailed Shrikes occupied exposed perches nearby. The distinctive calls of a Streaked Wren-babbler echoed from a nearby ravine, although the bird remained hidden.

During the afternoon we visited the temple grounds, a location well known for wintering thrushes. Patience was rewarded when a Black-breasted Thrush appeared and began feeding openly in the leaf litter. Nearby, a flock of Silver-eared Mesias moved through the lower branches, adding further colour and activity to the afternoon session.

The final hours of the trip produced a rewarding selection of open-country and forest-edge species. White-headed Bulbuls showed again at close range, while Brown-breasted Bulbuls and Crested Finchbills were both observed well. Hill Prinias remained active along the roadside vegetation and, as the afternoon light softened, a Burmese Shrike provided an excellent final photographic opportunity from an exposed perch.

Expedition Highlights

Ground Birds & Pheasants

Mountain Bamboo Partridge
Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant (missed)

Thrushes & Flycatchers

Black-breasted Thrush
Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Black-backed Forktail

Parrotbills, Nuthatches & Treecreepers

Spot-breasted Parrotbill
Grey-headed Parrotbill
Giant Nuthatch
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
Hume’s Treecreeper

Laughingthrushes & Allies

Silver-eared Laughingthrush
Silver-eared Mesia
Spectacled Barwing
Scarlet-faced Liocichla (heard only)
Yunnan Fulvetta

Babblers

White-browed Shrike-babbler
Red-eyed Scimitar-babbler
White-browed Scimitar-babbler
Spot-breasted Scimitar-babbler (heard)
Streaked Wren-babbler (heard)

Bulbuls

White-headed Bulbul
Brown-breasted Bulbul
Mountain Bulbul
Black Bulbul
Crested Finchbill

Other Highlights

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird
Long-tailed Shrike
Burmese Shrike
Hill Prinia

Final Thoughts

Despite missing Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, the expedition delivered an excellent variety of Northern Thailand’s signature montane species. Highlights such as White-headed Bulbul, Giant Nuthatch, Spot-breasted Parrotbill and Hume’s Treecreeper reinforced why Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khang remain among the premier birding destinations in Southeast Asia during the winter months.

For birders and photographers alike, December continues to offer some of the most productive birding conditions of the year in Northern Thailand.

Planning a Northern Thailand Birding Tour?

Travelderness Thailand operates customized birding and photography expeditions throughout Northern, Central and Southern Thailand. If you would like to target species such as White-headed Bulbul, Giant Nuthatch, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant and many other Northern Thailand specialties, feel free to get in touch.

WhatsApp: +66 962096600