Rare Bird Round-Up - Spring 2026 (21 March - 20 June)



By Maurizio Saroli

From 21 March to 20 June, several notable species were recorded across Danang. Early spring usually is a very exciting time, and this year was no exception. Despite not much field activity from Club members in this period, several passage migrants were recorded. By the end of May things had settled down a bit, and the focus was more on breeding birds than on vagrants. Things will remain this way until late August when we start to see a return of migrants heading south towards their wintering grounds.

Records (or a lack thereof) refer to eBird. 

Contributors this period: Maurizio Saroli (MS).


On 21 March a Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus was recorded at My Son Sanctuary and again six days later a pair were seen in the same location, confirming a previous record made by the same contributor (MS) on 6 September 2025 (see First Record of Purple Sunbird in Central Vietnam). This time one of the birds was in full breeding plumage leaving no doubts about identification. Remarkably, the same contributor on the same day recorded the same species at Son Tra Nature Reserve, which makes it the most northerly record of the species yet in Vietnam.


On 27 March a similarly rare sunbird species for Danang was observed at My Son Sanctuary; two Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis (MS). A species first recorded in Danang by the same contributor back in 2019, it has since been seen more and more frequently, having crept its way up the country from further south where it is much more abundant. A gorgeous Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina was also spotted here the same morning (MS).


Narcissus Flycatcher (photo credit: MS)


But without exception the biggest find of the season came on 11 April when the first on-site Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor was discovered in Central Vietnam, hidden among a flock of egrets in the paddy fields of Hoi An (MS). The excitement only increased when a further four birds were found by the same contributor two days later, together with the first ever Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (2) in Central Vietnam (MS). For a full review of the day's events see First On-Site Records of Black-Faced Spoonbill and Eurasian Spoonbill in Central Vietnam.


Black-faced Spoonbill (left) and Eurasian Spoonbill in Hoi An (photo credit: Tam Do)

On 2 May one Black Bittern Botaurus flavicollis was seen at New Embankment Wetlands and again on 9 May a pair were seen at the same location. A rare breeding visitor to Central Vietnam whose presence is an indication of the importance of urban wetland sites for breeding, as well as migrating, birds. Such sites are dwindling fast and records such as this may soon become extremely rare.


A Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Ketupa nipalensi was heard and recorded at Son Tra Nature Reserve on 6 May. A first for Danang.


A single Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos female was photographed migrating northwards over My Son Sanctuary on 13 May. A Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea was also seen here the same day.



To submit your rare bird records to the Club, fill out the form and send it to the DBC Rarities Committee via danangbirdclub@gmail.com

For ordinary bird records, Club members share their checklists with us on the eBird platform. All birders are welcome to join the Club and start contributing their records. The Danang Bird Club Official Bird List shows first records of all species observed in Vietnam which have been submitted to the Club and accepted by the Club's Records Committee.


Maurizio is the contributing editor of DBC News, part of Danang Bird Club, a non-profit organisation focused on citizen science, education and advocacy for the conservation of Vietnamese avifauna. He is the author of 'Birdwatching in Central Vietnam'; a guide to the region’s rich avian diversity. Originally from London, Maurizio was a member of the British Trust for Ornithology and took part in national bird surveys like the Nest Record Scheme and the Breeding Bird Survey before bringing his passion for ornithology to Vietnam. 


Avis is the exclusive partner of Danang Bird Club




Location: Danang, Vietnam

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