THE RED RIVER’S ALLUVIAL PLAINS AND ISLETS ARE SHELTER TO WILD BIRDS IN HANOI 

Resulting from centuries of topographic evolution, Hanoi city has high biodiversity value and habitats for many endangered and endemic wildlife species. Stretching across 120 kilometers, lying on the area of 17 districts and towns, Red river’s part within Hanoi has many alluvial plains and islets compared to adjacent areas. The alluvial plains and islets are resting, wintering, feeding, and nesting grounds of wild birds. Many species are at globally high endangered levels, including birds in the East Asian – Australasian Flyway.

Alluvial plains and islets at Hong Ha ward, Dan Phuong district (Photo credit: CCD)

From 2021 to 2022, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with Green Field Consulting and Development Co., Ltd (GFD), financially supported by Hanoi Forest Protection Division in studying the inventory of birds, identifying threats to recommend management solutions, protect and restore the habitat for birds at alluvial plains and islets in Hanoi. The study recorded at least 232 species of bird, including 192 migratory species, among them are Critically Endangered specie such as Yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola)

(from left to right)Picture 1: European Starling (

Sturnus vulgaris

)Picture 2: Amur falcon

(Falco amurensis)

Picture 3: Red avadavat

(Amandava amandava)

(Photo credit: CCD)

After 02 years of study, the inventory of birds in Hanoi is updated with European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea). The study provided practical recommendations to protect wild birds, restoring habitat at sites, including communication campaigns to raising awareness and responsibility for the public; organizing experience activities, photo contests; increasing patrols to protect, remove bird nets in the migratory season; establishing protected areas for birds at alluvial plains and islets; planting vegetation and restoring habitats for bird’s sites.

The study recorded footages of bird’s behaviors. To introduce the beauty of wild birds in Hanoi, CCD selected and compiled those footages in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67CfosutUX4