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Site description (2004 baseline)
The IBA encompasses Khao Nor Chuchi forest, which comprises Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary (18,640 ha) and adjacent areas of lowland forest (c.1,360 ha). The site is centred on a low plateau at c.270 to 300 m asl. The plateau supports lowland evergreen forest, much of which has been selectively logged. The most important lowland forest habitat at the site, which now covers c.3,000 ha, lies along the foot of the western flank of the plateau, at 80 to 120 m asl. Many scattered human settlements and rubber, oil-palm and coffee plantations fringe and encroach the site.

Key biodiversity
Khao Nor Chuchi is arguably the most important site in Thailand for the conservation of the bird community characteristic of lowland evergreen forest in the peninsula. The site supports one of the richest recorded lowland evergreen forest avifaunas of any site in the country, with over 90 species restricted to the Sundaic Lowland Forests (Biome 14). Of greatest significance, the site supports the last known population of the globally critical Gurney's Pitta Pitta gurneyi in Thailand. The species is endemic to peninsular Thailand and adjacent areas of Myanmar, and its range defines the Peninsular Thailand Lowland Forests Secondary Area. Since the rediscovery of the species at the site in 1986, the population has declined to just 10 to 13 pairs, as a result of clearance of level lowland forest. Several other globally threatened species occur at the site, including Plain-pouched Hornbill Aceros subruficollis, Blue-banded Kingfisher Alcedo euryzona and Wallace's Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nanus. In addition, 54 globally near-threatened species have been recorded at the site to date, of which three have not been recorded in recent years and are believed to be locally extinct: Ferruginous Partridge Caloperdix oculea, Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis and Helmeted Hornbill B. vigil. The site qualifies under criterion A3 because it supports 93 species restricted to the Sundaic Lowland Forests (Biome 14).

Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals Bear Macaque Macaca arctoides (VU) Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata (VU) Asian Black Bear Ursus thibetanus (VU) Reptiles Spiny Turtle Heosemys spinosa (EN) Fish Betta simplex (VU) Plants Aquilaria malaccensis (VU)

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Khao Nor Chuchi (Thailand). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/khao-nor-chuchi-iba-thailand on 15/01/2025.