1. Vietnam Endemic Birds

Tonkin Partridge (Arborophila tonkinesis) - LC

Distributed from Northern Central to East Tonkin, this species has been taxonomically complicated in taxonomy. Arborophila charltonii, A. tonkinensis, and A. graydoni (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) were previously lumped as A. charltonii following Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993).

Edward's Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) - CR

Formerly distributed from Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri & Thua Thien Hue provinces and considered locally fairly common. However, recently there have been no sightings, probably for more than 20 years.

• Vietnamese Pheasant (Lophura hatinhensis) - unrecognised; was previously split from L. edwardsi following Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993) but is now lumped back.
• Imperial Pheasant (Lophura imperialis) - unrecognised; a study suggested this species is actually a hybrid between Vietnamese Pheasant x Silver Pheasant.

Black-crowned Fulvetta (Alcippe klossi) - LC

A split from Rufous-winged, confined to south Annam. Fairly common and easy to see on Langbian and Bidoup mountains

White-throated Wren-Babbler (Rimator pasquieri) - EN

A recent split from Long-billed and confined to Mt Fan Si Pan in west Tonkin. It has also been recorded in recent years at Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area (Yen Bai Province) and Van Ban Nature Reserve (Lao Cai Province)

Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Garrulax annamensis) - EN

Now split from Spot-breasted and endemic to southern Annam. Locally common in Di Linh and Da Lat.

Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush (Garrulax konkakinhensis) - NT

Only known from Mt Kon Ka Kinh in central Annam until it was located and photographed at Mang Canh in 2010, this place has become a popular destination for birding nowadays.

Golden-winged Laughingthrush (Garrulax ngoclinhensis) - EN

So far only known from Mt Ngoc Linh in central Annam; Mang Ri forest near Tu Mo Rong is the most accessible site to see this species.

Collared Laughingthrush (Garrulax yersini) - EN

Only found in South Annam, centred around Mt Langbian, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park and Chu Yang Sin National Park

Grey-crowned Crocias (Crocias langbianis) - NT

The new genus name is Laniellus, endemic to South Annam and very localized; it can be found at Ta Nung, Tuyen Lam, and a site at Dam Rong on Road 28, Da Lat to Ban Me Thuot. Recently found in Mang Den and Ngoc Linh (Wildtour, 2014).

Vietnamese Greenfinch (Carduelis monguilloti) - LC

Confined to pine forests in south Annam, common in Da Lat and Di Linh

2. Near-endemic/Indochinese specialities

Birds of Vietnam, meaning that they can be found near the border of Vietnam with its neighbour

White-eared Night-Heron (Gorsachius magnificus) - NT

Long thought endemic to southern China and at one time considered a breeding bird only on Hainan Island, it is only recently that the colony at Ba Be Lake (Bac Kan) has reached the keen interest of western birders. This species is still one of the most mysterious birds in the world. Although there were some records of this species in Northern  Vietnam (e.g, Cao Bang & Bac Kan), it is still a real challenge for all birders. 

Orange-necked Partridge (Arborophila davidi) - NT

Used to be endemic to northeast Cochinchina but recently found in east Cambodia, and now very rarely seen in its former stronghold at Cat Tien National Park. Tan Phu forest is one of the best sites for this species.

Germain's Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron germaini) - VU

Occurs in eastern Cambodia, but Vietnam is its stronghold, especially at Cat Tien National Park

Red-vented Barbet (Megalaima lagrandieri) - LC

Although it occurs in Cambodia and Laos as well as Vietnam, it is usually easiest to see here

Indochinese Barbet (Megalaima annamensis) - LC

Recently finally split from Black-browed and confined south Laos and southern Annam

Red-collared Woodpecker (Picus rabieri) - NT

Although it occurs in Laos, Vietnam is the only logical place to search for this bird. Astonishingly elusive for a woodpecker, it totally eluded us as it does most tour groups

Blue-rumped Pitta (Pitta soror) - LC

Allegedly widespread in Indo-China and occurring as far west as western Thailand, it is rarely seen outside Vietnam (and often missed within as well)

Bar-bellied Pitta (Pitta elliotii) - LC

Like Blue-rumped Pitta, it is occurring as far west as Thailand and again rarely seen outside of Vietnam

White-winged Magpie (Urocissa whiteheadi) - LC

Fairly widespread but rarely seen outside of Vietnam or southwest China

Grey-crowned Tit (Aegithalos annamensis) - LC

Confined to southern Laos and Annam. Now generally recognised as distinct from the Black-throated Tit

Yellow-billed Nuthatch (Sitta solangiae) - NT

Although it occurs outside of Vietnam, only really findable within its borders

Limestone Warbler (Phylloscopus calciatilis) - LC

Occurring in limestone country in central Laos and central Annam, but again only realistically findable in Vietnam. A recent split from Sulphur-breasted Warbler

Black-headed Parrotbill (Paradoxornis margaritae) - NT

Now recognised as distinct from Grey-headed and confined to south Annam, rare in Muldukiri, Cambodia.

Black-hooded Laughingthrush (Garrulax milleti) - NT

Just reaching into Laos, otherwise confined to Vietnam

Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush (Garrulax castanotis) - LC

Occurs on Hainan Island and central Laos. Most reliable sites are on Mt Ba Vi and the forest on the west Ho Chi Minh road at Samu Pass 

White-cheeked Laughingthrush (Garrulax vassali) - LC

Fairly widespread in the highlands of Laos and Vietnam

Short-tailed Scimitar-Babbler (Jabouilleia danjoui) - NT

Virtually confined to Annam and Tonkin, target bird at Da Lat, Mang Den, Bach Ma.  Also called Indochinese Wren Babbler

Sooty Babbler (Stachyris herberti) - LC

Formerly considered endemic to limestone country in central Laos but now known to be thriving in central Annam. Locally common in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Pale-throated Wren Babbler (Spelaeornis kinneari) - NT

Confined to Fansipan mt, recently recorded in NW Wangxi, Yunnan, China

Grey-faced Tit-Babbler (Macronous kelleyi) - LC

An exciting Indochinese endemic! Widespread in southern Vietnam  

Vietnamese Cutia (Cutia legalleni) - NT

Now split from Himalayan and confined to southern Annam. Found fairly common in Da Lat, Di Linh, Mang Den, and Central Laos

Black-crowned Barwing (Actinodura sodangoram) - LC

Only recently described and confined to southeast Laos and southern central Annam. Best site is Mang Ri forest, but also able to see at Lo Xo pass by the roadside

Indochinese Fulvetta (Alcippe danisi) - LC

A Laos speciality but also found in central and south Annam. Found on Bidoup mt and Ngoc Linh mt above 1,800m asl.

Dalat Shrike Babbler (Pteruthius flaviscapis) - LC

Split from White-browed Shrike Babbler

3. Possible endemism in the future

These are local subspecies found only in the Da Lat Plateau

Blue-winged Minla (Minla cyanouroptera orientalis)

Rufous-backed Sibia (Heterophasia annectens eximia)

Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata johnsi)

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra meridionalis)

Brown Bullfinch (Pyrrhula nipalensis ssp)