thaibirding.com

[gandytron]

I've been birding to the Chiang Mai area a number of times , but have never bothered going to look for the Green Peafowl at Hua Han Krai Royal project, this has been because a) I'm not really attracted by the idea of seeing these amazing birds coming to investigate caged individuals (it seems rather "fake") and b) because a number of birders I know have serious reservations about how genuinely wild these birds are.

Many of the bird tour companies seem quite happy to bring their clients to thailand and take them to "tick off" thes ebirds as genuinely wild, but is this just a rather too convenient way of seeing an otherwise difficult species?

I'd be interested in any comments people have.

With thanks

Dave Gandy

[nick]

Well Dave, I'm the same as you, I've never bothered going there as it sounds a very fake situation. Also, I was lucky enough to see this species in Ujon Kulong NP in Java so no desire to see them next to a cage. As you said, most people seem happy enough with their provenance but to me it would seem debateable.

I have been told that the area is good for other birds though, and I guess few people have stayed long enough to check this out.
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[nick]

Tony Ball tells me that visiting this site can feel a bit false, but only one or two birds actually come to the caged peafowl and sit on the cages. He said that most birds lurk around the edges of the lake. Apparently after some peafowl were put in cages, gradually wild birds began to become attracted to the area.

Seems strange that Green Peafowl just happened to survive in the one area where a caged collection was housed! However, the general consensus is that they are wild, "tickable" birds. I may get up there one day and have a look for myself.
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I love it when a plan comes together!

[gandytron]

Thanks for this additional info from Tony, it does indeed seem strange that wild Green Peafowl should have survived in an area which coincidentally has capative birds. If nothing else perhaps this place gives good photo opportunities, of birds which are arguably wild. I'll wait until i see one in Cambodia or Vietnam before it tick it though!