The beautiful Nam Ou river originates in China near the border to the northern tip of Laos . After the Mekong river, the Nam Ou is the second most important fluvial route in Laos . Its length is 448 km from Phongsali Province down to Luang Prabang, where it empties into the Mekong .

On the northern 168 km between the villages of Ban Hatsa and Muang Ngoi Neua, (around 9 h by slow boat) many different birds species can be seen rather easily: Migrant and resident birds and also water-turtles rest on the rocks and on tree trunks reaching out of the water. Chances for seeing wildlife are better during the dry season. Reptiles that are frequently spotted are lizards (many of the Agamidae family) and snakes.  

Between the villages of Ban Hatsa and Muang Khoua, the Nam Ou river is rather narrow and very wild. The banks are difficult to access so there are only few vegetable gardens. Living conditions for birds are good as there is less human pressure and, surprisingly, they seem to be accustomed to the slow boats' noisy engine, so you often get the chance to see colourful kingfishers, herons, bitterns, hill mynas (and others.) in just 4-5m distance.  

Groups of 5-6 Grey Headed Lapwings are often seen in flight.

If you pay attention, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the Oriental Pied Hornbill that is often heard by its characteristic call "Kleng.Keng.Kek. Kek.Kek.kek" - a feature that led to its Lao name "Nok Keng".

If you are lucky enough, you may also see the big figure of the Great Hornbill up in the tree tops. Many kingfishers can be seen along the Nam Ou river; some of them are residents like the White-throated Kingfisher, the Blyth's Kingfisher and the Common Kingfisher (it is rather difficult to make out the difference between the latter two kingfishers). There are also many Black-Capped Kingfishers which are winter passage migrants.

Another migrant bird is the Collared Kingfisher but this one is not commonly found.

Amongst the resident birds that inhabit the Nam Ou Area are the Yellow Bittern, the Cinnamon Bittern, the impressive Red-billed Blue Magpie, the Blue Whistling Thrush and numerous forktails.

During winter, the Nam Ou is host to the Little Heron, the Chinese Pond Heron and the Great Bittern.

Black-capped Kingfisher	Blyth 's Kingfisher	Common Kingfisher	White-Throated Kingfisher
Collared Kingfisher	Grey-headed Lapwing	Great Bittern	Yellow Bittern

Little Heron	Cinnamon Bittern	Black-Backed Forktail
Blue Whistling Thrush	Red-Billed Blue Magpie

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