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Homescience

Feathered Jewels of Thailand: 10 rarest and most exotic birds

Thailand’s forests and wetlands are home to some of the world’s most extraordinary bird species. From vibrant colours to rare sightings, these elusive beauties make the country a true paradise for bird lovers.

Sheetal Kumari | November 04, 2025 / 17:14 IST
1/11
Gurney’s Pitta: Once thought extinct, Gurney's Pitta is now one of the world's most rarely seen birds. Only found in southern Thailand, it is threatened by deforestation and habitat loss. (Image: Canva)
Gurney’s Pitta: Once thought extinct, Gurney’s Pitta is now one of the world’s most rarely seen birds. Only found in southern Thailand, it is threatened by deforestation and habitat loss. (Image: Canva)
2/11
Spoon-billed Sandpiper: This little, charming bird is known for its distinctive spoon-shaped bill. It comes to Thailand as a winter visitor, who faces critical endangerment because of vanishing coastal wetlands. (Image: Canva)
Spoon-billed Sandpiper: This little, charming bird is known for its distinctive spoon-shaped bill. It comes to Thailand as a winter visitor, who faces critical endangerment because of vanishing coastal wetlands. (Image: Canva)
3/11
Helmeted Hornbill: The Helmeted Hornbill, with its striking casque made from “red ivory”, is hunted illegally for trade; this majestic bird is now on the brink of extinction. (Image: Y. Hadiprakarsa/IHCS)
Helmeted Hornbill: The Helmeted Hornbill, with its striking casque made from “red ivory”, is hunted illegally for trade; this majestic bird is now on the brink of extinction. (Image: Y. Hadiprakarsa/IHCS)
4/11
Rufous Limestone Babbler: Endemic to a small area around Doi Chiang Dao, this bird inhabits rocky cliffs. Its very small range makes it one of Thailand’s rarest species. (Image: Canva)
Rufous Limestone Babbler: Endemic to a small area around Doi Chiang Dao, this bird inhabits rocky cliffs. Its very small range makes it one of Thailand’s rarest species. (Image: Canva)
5/11
Mangrove Pitta: The Mangrove Pitta is brilliantly coloured, secretive, and inhabits coastal mangroves. Its numbers are dwindling as palm oil plantations continue to destroy its fragile habitat in Thailand and Myanmar. (Image: Canva)
Mangrove Pitta: The Mangrove Pitta is brilliantly coloured, secretive, and inhabits coastal mangroves. Its numbers are dwindling as palm oil plantations continue to destroy its fragile habitat in Thailand and Myanmar. (Image: Canva)
6/11
Great Hornbill: This grand bird is a common inhabitant of Thailand's national parks. Large, with a bright-coloured beak and echoing call, the great hornbill is one of Asia's most spectacular species. (Image: Canva)
Great Hornbill: This grand bird is a common inhabitant of Thailand's national parks. Large, with a bright-coloured beak and echoing call, the great hornbill is one of Asia's most spectacular species. (Image: Canva)
7/11
Deignan’s Babbler: Possibly extinct, Deignan’s Babbler is so rare that it hasn’t been sighted outside Thailand. Researchers continue to hope for its rediscovery in the wild. (Image: Canva)
Deignan’s Babbler: Possibly extinct, Deignan’s Babbler is so rare that it hasn’t been sighted outside Thailand. Researchers continue to hope for its rediscovery in the wild. (Image: Canva)
8/11
White-eyed River Martin: The mysterious bird with a striking blue throat and white eyes is confined to southern Thailand. It's now considered one of the country's most endangered species. (Image: Canva)
White-eyed River Martin: The mysterious bird with a striking blue throat and white eyes is confined to southern Thailand. It's now considered one of the country's most endangered species. (Image: Canva)
9/11
Banded Kingfisher: A beautifully patterned bird with striking blue and chestnut plumage, the Banded Kingfisher inhabits Thailand’s tropical forests. Its secretive nature and forest loss make sightings increasingly uncommon. (Image: Canva)
Banded Kingfisher: A beautifully patterned bird with striking blue and chestnut plumage, the Banded Kingfisher inhabits Thailand’s tropical forests. Its secretive nature and forest loss make sightings increasingly uncommon. (Image: Canva)
10/11
Rufous-headed Hornbill: It is distinguished by its reddish plumage and an elegant crest, inhabiting dense forests of northern Thailand, while its population continues to decline due to deforestation. (Image: Canva)
Rufous-headed Hornbill: It is distinguished by its reddish plumage and an elegant crest, inhabiting dense forests of northern Thailand, while its population continues to decline due to deforestation. (Image: Canva)
11/11
Chinese Egret: Graceful and elegant, the Chinese egret is a rare visitor to Thailand's coasts. Its numbers across Southeast Asia have sharply declined due to habitat loss and pollution. (Image: Canva)
Chinese Egret: Graceful and elegant, the Chinese egret is a rare visitor to Thailand's coasts. Its numbers across Southeast Asia have sharply declined due to habitat loss and pollution. (Image: Canva)

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