InVietNam.org

Located in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Bach Ma National Park is a famed trekking destination and a haven for bird enthusiasts. Home to 363 bird species—accounting for one-third of all bird species in Vietnam—the park offers a unique opportunity to witness an incredible diversity of avian life.
 

Established in 1991, Bach Ma National Park spans over 37,000 hectares and is just an hour's drive southeast of Hue, the provincial capital known for its temples and royal tombs. Remarkably, Bach Ma is the only stretch of Vietnam's primeval forest that connects the sea to the Vietnam-Laos border. The area also features many abandoned villas that were once used by colonial French officers and Hue’s upper-class families.
 

From 2019 to 2021, four photography enthusiasts—Vo Rin, Nguyen Hong Huy, Ha Vu Linh, and Nguyen Thuy Linh—explored Bach Ma to experience its natural beauty and capture images of rare birds residing within the national park. One of their favorite shooting spots was at an old villa overlooking the Bach Ma forest at an altitude of about 1,000 meters above sea level.
 

Among the birds they photographed was the Chestnut-collared Yuhina, a species in the Zosteropidae family. This small bird, about 14 centimeters long and weighing 14 grams, features a dark grey crown and nape with narrow, long white streaks.
 

Covering 37,500 hectares of evergreen tropical and subtropical rainforests, Bach Ma National Park is home to over 1,700 animal species, representing 7% of Vietnam’s total species. This includes 363 bird species, with 16 listed as endangered in Vietnam's Red Data Book of vulnerable species.
 

Taking advantage of favorable weather, the photographers captured images of the White-browed Shrike Babbler searching for food on a low pine branch. This bird is identifiable by its black crown and nape, broad white supercilium (eyebrow), and grey upper body.
 

Twenty-six-year-old Huy was particularly excited to photograph the Long-tailed Broadbill, known for its bluish-green plumage on the belly, back, and wings. These birds are usually seen foraging in small flocks. Despite their loud, high-pitched calls, they are relatively shy and often hide among the foliage.

Another colorful resident of Bach Ma is the Red-headed Trogon, averaging 34 centimeters in length. The male boasts a red head and breast, a unique feature among the Trogon species. The best time to photograph this bird is during the mating season in November when it calls out to attract a mate.

The Collared Owlet, Asia's smallest owl at 15 centimeters and 60 grams, was another exciting find. With grey-brown plumage and a spotted head, this diurnal bird is most active during daylight hours, often seen perching, hunting, and calling throughout the day and sometimes at night.
 

The Barred Cuckoo Dove, averaging 38 centimeters in length, is notable for its glossy violet and green nape. During the nesting season, this species is relatively easy to photograph in Bach Ma National Park.

One of the rarest birds the team captured was the White-gorgeted Flycatcher. This bird features a triangular white bib bordered with black, a grey head, frosty white brow, and ruddy wings and tail.

An Orange-bellied Leafbird was also spotted absorbing nectar from peach blossoms within the forest. Brightly colored with an orange belly, green back, blue tail and feathers, and a black and blue patch over its throat and chest, it feeds on insects, spiders, and nectar using its long, curved beak.

"Some species required a lot of time and patience to photograph. We experienced many emotions during our journey. While watching birds in heavy rain, we often had to quickly pack up our equipment and find shelter," Linh recalled.

Silver Pheasants are among the rarer birds in Bach Ma. The male is black and white, while the female is mainly brown; both sexes have a bare red face and legs.

"Early in the morning, this white pheasant appeared to cross a trail in Bach Ma to feed. It is very shy and difficult to approach, so we often had to sit in the car and wait for it," said 38-year-old Vo Rin, who has photographed 418 bird species in Vietnam.