North Korea

North Korea lies on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, making its western tidal flats and wetlands particularly important for migratory waterbirds. These habitats support threatened species including Black-faced Spoonbill, Far Eastern Curlew and Spoon-billed Sandpiper, while inland wetlands provide habitat for Red-crowned and White-naped Cranes. Forested mountains support a typical northeastern Asian assemblage of woodpeckers, tits and other woodland birds. From a birding-tourism perspective, however, North Korea is extremely difficult to visit. International tourism and entry conditions are subject to major restrictions and can change with little notice, while independent travel and unrestricted access to birding sites are generally not possible. Consequently, despite potentially significant habitats, North Korea is not currently a practical conventional birding destination.