Generally speaking, observing birds is easier than observing other animals, for example mammals.
In the Phou Khao Khouay NPA, a wide range of birds species can be found and they are also quite numerous. Still, when viewing any kind of wild animal, you will have to be very discreet to observe them closely.
The last bird surveys in the Phou Khao Khouay NPA (by WCS) showed a great variety of bird species some of which are key species such as Green Peafowl, Great Hornbill or Siamese Fireback. 

It is every bird lover's wish to observe these birds in the wild, even though they are hardly ever seen. However, there are many other more common species in the Phou Khao Khouay that are easier to see:

Cinnamon Bittern	Little Heron

Whenever you would like to observe animals in the wild, remember that the best times are during sunrise and during sunset. Early in the morning, the birds move from their "home-tree" to other fruit baring trees for food (fruits vary between bird species). Late in the afternoon, the birds move back again to spend the night in their "home-tree".

During day time, because of the heat, it is more difficult to observe birds as they tend to stay in the shade of the leaves, or move so quickly from one tree to another that you won't have time to adjust your sight.  

Locating a Fig tree carrying fruit will help you to observe birds.

If you find a Fig tree just before sunrise or sunset, hide yourself with some branches & leaves and wait silently, you will most probably be able to observe some interesting things going on.

Strangling Ficus	Oriental pied hornbill

On a longer trek along the Nam Leuk river i.e., it is possible to see birds during the day because they are residents to moist ecosystems (the surroundings of a river featuring moist evergreen forest). Among the most common species are different kinds of Herons, Bitterns, Blue breasted Quails and fishing Eagles.

Blue-breasted Quail	Black-capped Kingfisher	Common Kingfisher

During night time, the nocturnal species become active and can be observed. The Phou Khao Khouay NPA hosts many species of owls whose calls are very characteristic and easily recognisable:

Hooo  Hooo Hooo / Hu i li  Hu i li / Wu uuuu  Wu  uuuu. . .

Owls' calls are a great help in locating nocturnal birds when observing at night. In day time, you may be able to find an owl dropping at the foot of its "home-tree".

Finally, if you hear a familiar "Kokadoodeldoo" at sunrise, don't assume there's a village nearby because what you are hearing is actually the call of the Red Jungle fowl, the cockerel's old ancestor that still lives in the wild throughout most forests of northern Laos.

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