Many people have approached me with a "want list" of birds they hope to see on their trip to Taiwan. Some are just happy with the endemics, others are not so easily satisfied with and want to see birds that even we consider vagrants! Anyhow, the good news is that all of the endemics are easy to see, except for the Formosan Hill Partridge. What are near-endemics? These are species that are currently classified as endemic sub-species, but have the chance of becoming split into separate species in the future. Others, like the Red-capped Green Pigeon, have a tiny global range, with Taiwan being one of the easiest places to see it. As for rare species, these are globally-threatened or endangered species that have a significant population in Taiwan, namely the Chinese Crested Tern, Black-faced Spoonbill, and Saunder's Gull. Unfortunately, I don't have good photos of most of these birds. Please refer to pages in Birds of Taiwan Home Page or Chinese Wild Bird Federation for some pictures.

ENDEMICS

Taiwan Hill Partridge (Formosan Hill Partridge / White-throated Hill Partridge)
Aborophila crudigularis
The Taiwan Hill Partridge is similar to the Bamboo Partridge, described below, but can be distinguished by its red feet and unique call. Their call, according to A New Guide to the Birds of Taiwan is "a series of clear notes gradually ascending the scale and finally breaking into repeated ringing whistles that easily carry across mountain valleys." These partridges are very vocal, and they often call in groups that echo throughout the valleys. It is not difficult to hear these partridges, but seeing them is another story. The Taiwan Hill Partridge is not a rare species, but it is so elusive that most people have very little success trying to get a good view of it. The Taiwan Hill Partridge has a wide distribution, though unlike the Bamboo Partridge it does not occur in excessively developed areas. It can be found from near sea level up to more than 2,000 meters in elevation, and it generally prefers the same type of habitat as Swinhoe's Pheasants: mature deciduous or mixed forest with sparse undergrowth. They are also occasionally found in bamboo forests. Unlike pheasants, Taiwan Hill Partridges rarely venture into the open, and when they do they quickly disappear into the grass with the slightest disturbance. Like pheasants, they are most active at dawn and dusk, when they are most likely encountered in small groups on the side of forest roads or on narrow hiking trails. Places with a high chance of finding the Taiwan Hill Partridge include the Lalashan-Fushan trail, Anmashan, and Tsu Yun Shan Nature Reserve.

Swinhoe's Pheasant
Lophura swinhoii
This pheasant was once dubbed "the most beautiful bird in the world." Indeed, the cocks are spectacular birds. Although endangered, Swinhoe's Pheasants are not particularly difficult to see in some areas, and their numbers do appear to be increasing. They used to be widely distributed, from sea level to about 2,000 meters in elevation (Robert Swinhoe discovered this bird at Tamsui, where Taipei City now sits!). Now, however, with the rapid development of the lowlands and clearing of their habitat, they are rarely seen below 1,000 meters of elevation. The easiest place to see Swinhoe's Pheasants is Anmashan. There, forestry workers often report seeing pheasants feeding along the paved road or even wandering about the visitors' cabins! I saw my first Swinhoe's Pheasant while taking a walk on a rainy day in the trail near the cabins. The excitement I felt when I saw my first pheasant is hard to describe with words. The easiest place to see the Swinhoe's Pheasant at Anmashan, however, is on Trail 220, an abandoned logging road that branches off to the right of the pave road just before the 39 K mark. Only the first five kilometers or so of this trail are suitable pheasant habitat, but here one can sometimes see up to half a dozen or more pheasants in one morning. Pheasants are most active at dawn and dusk, especially foggy or drizzling days. Be the first one to enter the dirt road at the crack of daylight, walk silently and check carefully around every bend, and you have a high chance of seeing these beautiful birds. Though pheasants typically feed alone, they may be seen in small groups or with their young during breeding season. The females could possibly be confused with Mikado Pheasants, but they're not difficult to identify with their red legs and chestnut tail feathers. Of course, Anmashan is not the only place where Swinhoe's Pheasant may be found. Some of the former logging roads near Wushe and Tsuifeng in Nantou County also have a healthy population of Swinhoe's Pheasants. The trail from Lalashan to Fushan is also a good trail to try.

Mikado Pheasant
Syrmaticus mikado
This is the other of the two endemic pheasants in Taiwan. The Mikado has a different, seeming more noble aura, hence its name ("mikado" meaning "emperor" in Japanese). The Mikado Pheasant is also a threatened species, though it is usually found above 2,000 of elevation where its habitats are still relatively undisturbed. Unlike the Swinhoe's Pheasant, Mikado Pheasants are more adaptable; it is often found in sparse forest, fir forest/plantations, or even where there is no forest, just tall bamboo or grasses. Anmashan is also the best place to see Mikado Pheasants, although it is rarely found together with the Swinhoe's Pheasant. Another abandoned logging road, Trail 210, branches off to the left of the paved road a couple hundred meters from the ticket booth entrance. Inside this trail, a male pheasant may often be seen within one kilometer of the entrance. There are others as you head further into the trail. Probably because of the large number of birders and photographers who visit this area, many pheasants have seemingly lost their fear of humans. Birders have reported how a male pheasant came within meters of an observer and even scolded the person for blocking his path! I haven't had such magical encounters, but sightings of the Mikado Pheasant are almost guaranteed in this forest trail, provided that there is no one ahead of you in the trail. Of course, like most pheasants they are also most active at dawn, dusk, and foggy or drizzly weather. Other places where Mikado Pheasants may be found include trails near a reserve at Tsuifeng and various trails in Yushan and Shei-Pa National Park. In some places along the highways tansecting Yushan National Park, Mikado Pheasants have been observed feeding along the roadside totally oblivious to the heavy traffic!

Taiwan Bulbul (Formosan Bulbul, Styan's Bulbul) picture (85 KB)
Pycnonotus taivanus
Of all the endemics, the Taiwan Bulbul is probably the one most closely associated with man. It is very common and easily found in any kind of developed areas on the east coast, south of Taroko Gorge, and on the Hengchun (sp?) Peninsula in the south. It is the eastern counterpart of the Chinese Bulbul, which is found to the west of the central mountain range, and north of Taroko Gorge on the east coast. The only noticeable difference between the two species is the coloring pattern on the head; Taiwan Bulbuls have a black cap whereas Chinese Bulbuls have white on the back of the head. The Taiwan Bulbul has a very interesting evolutionary history. Scientists believe that the ancestor of the Taiwan Bulbul reached Taiwan and developed into a new species due to isolation from the mainland. More recently in evolutionary history, the Chinese Bulbul invaded the island and took over the western side of the mountain, thus forming the interesting distribution of the two species. Today, the range of the Taiwan Bulbul appears to continue dwindling. Historical records showed that the vast Ilan plains in the north-east used to be occupied by Taiwan Bulbuls. Today only Chinese Bulbuls are found there. It is possible that development brought the Chinese Bulbul across the natural mountain barrier that once separated the two species. With more cross-island highways being built and more development along the coastlines, Chinese Bulbuls gain access to the territory of Taiwan Bulbuls and out compete the original species. Even more recent observations show that hybrids between the two species are not only becoming increasing common where the range of the two species meet, such as Taroko Gorge, but they are also viable! Now that raises an interesting question: are these two separate species, or are they one? (We'll let the scientists fight that one out. Bird guides and checklists now list them as different species.) There is a concern that Taiwan Bulbuls may one day disappear altogether, with only Chinese Bulbuls and hybrids remaining. Should humans intervene and try to save Taiwan Bulbuls?

Collared Bush Robin (Johnstone's Bush Robin)
Erithacus johnstoniae
This bird was discovered by Walter Goodfellow at Alishan, and so is also called the "Alishan Robin" in Chinese. The male is identified by its red collar and white brow. The female has a faint brow and should not be confused with White-browed Bush Robins, which have bolder white brows, yellow untertail coverts, and prefer to live in denser forests. It is a common bird that is often seen singly or in pairs on the ground or some exposed perch near mountain roads from 2,000 to 3,000 meters in elevation. Their call is a rapidly repeated "pip-pip-pip" usually heard from a male proclaiming his territory. It is one of the most easy birds to encounter while driving through stretches of cross-island highways or logging roads. It is also rather tame and approachable. Alishan, Hohuanshan, and other high stops along the Central and Southern Cross-Island Highway are good places to observe this bird.

Taiwan Whistling Thrush (Formosan Whistling Thrush)
Myiophoneus insularis
The Taiwan Whistling Thrush is common and widespread; it is found in streams and moist forests from sea level up to 3,000 meters high, but is most common at the lower elevations. They are a royal purplish blue all over and with a small light blue patch on the front of each wing. Taiwan Whistling Thrushes are not hard to see, but they can sometimes be quite secretive. They are most easily found when they perch singly or in pairs on rocks in the riverbed, low branches, rooftops, or on the ground. Whistling thrushes often nest under bridges and on buildings. They are usually shy and will flee with a loud screech when disturbed by humans. As with all whistling thrushes, the best time to see them is very early in the morning. The ones that live near my house often begins singing even before it gets light, around 3 A.M.! The call of the whistling thrush is a loud, piercing screech, resembling that of a bicycle brake. As they screech, they raise and fan their tail, then lower it again. During breeding season, however, their song becomes a pleasant melodious whistle. There are many places where the Taiwan Whistling Thrush can easily be seen, including Yangmingshan, Wulai, Kukuan, Taroko Gorge etc.

Taiwan Sibia (White-eared Sibia)
Heterophasia auricularis
The Taiwan Sibia is a medium sized babbler that is normally found between 1,000 to around 2,500 meters in elevation. During the winter, however, this bird often descends to low altitudes, even as low as sea level at Kenting National Park. The white tufts of feathers across the each eye are what gave this bird its name. Although common, this bird can sometimes be hard to see as it tends to stay in the upper levels of the forest. During fruiting season of various tree species, Taiwan Sibias often gather in large flocks, sometimes mixed with Island Thrushes. Personally, I think this bird has the most beautiful whistle of all the birds in Taiwan. It also has an alarm call that resembles a firing machine gun. Taiwan Sibias are easily seen in any mid and upper elevation forest, such as Lalashan, Anmashan, Hsitou, Alishan, Tsuifeng, just to name a few. In the winter, they descend to lower areas such as Wulai and Kenting.

Taiwan Barwing (Formosan Barwing)
Actinodura morrisoniana
Of the endemic babblers, the Taiwan Barwing is probably the least common. It is not brightly colored, and often forages along the trunk and branches of a tree like a squirrel. Though these birds are sometimes quite noisy, their call is not as conspicuous or melodic as most other babblers. The Taiwan Barwing is most easily seen in deciduous and mixed forest between 1,000 and 2,500 meters above sea level. Usually, Taiwan Barwings travel in flocks of five or six, but occasionally there may be large flocks of twenty or more birds, especially near fruiting trees. Taiwan Barwings may be found in places with mature forest such as Lalashan and Anmashan.

Taiwan Laughing Thrush (Formosan Laughingthrush, Mt. Morrison Laughingthrush)
Garrulax morrisonianus
Mt. Morrison is another name for Yushan, or Jade Mountain, presumably where the Taiwan Laughing Thrush was discovered. This is a large babbler, and is common and easily seen above 2,000 meters of elevation. It is chocolate brown with golden wings and a white brow above and below each eye. In many places, Taiwan Laughing Thrushes are bold birds that often take handouts from tourists, eat leftover meals, and scavenge through garbage. They often hop around in small groups on the sides of the road, in parking lots, and in other exposed areas. Taiwan Laughing Thrushes have two common types of calls: "a rich clear whistle," as described by A New Guide to the Birds of Taiwan, and one that somewhat resembles laughter "hee-hee-hee-HEE, hee-hee."

Steere's Liocichla (Steere's Babbler)
Liocichla steerii
Though Steere's Liocichla are secretive by nature, they are very common and in some places have become accustomed to humans. At Hsitou, Steere's Liocichla have been nicknamed "Hsitou's mice" or "Hsitou's sparrow" because it is so common around people. These birds live in small flocks in the understory of mid-elevation forests from 1,000 to 2,000 meters and descend to lower elevations during the winter. They can be identified by their olive coloring and the yellow dot on the sides of their bill. Steere's Liocichla have many types of calls, the most familiar being "a piercing, rasping, whistled, 'chee-cheew,'" as A New Guide to the Birds of Taiwan puts it. Interestingly, the calls of different birds from different areas appear to have distinct dialects. They are usually found near the ground or in the undergrowth, where a flock may burst into "harsh scolding notes" as you walk near them.

Taiwan Yuhina (Formosan Yuhina)
Yuhina brunneiceps
"To meet you!" is one of the ways to remember the whistle of the Taiwan Yuhina. Indeed, it is usually one of the first birds to greet you in the morning in mid-elevation forests from 1,000 to 2,500 meters, also descending to lower elevations in the winter. Taiwan Yuhinas are one of the most abundant and gregarious birds in Taiwan's forests, and often form the core species when traveling in mixed flocks through the middle and upper stories of the forest. They are also known to breed cooperatively, a characteristic shared in Taiwan only by the Taiwan Blue Magpie (so far). They are easily identified by their bridled face and bold, triangular crest with a tuft of brown feathers on the top of their heads. These active little birds often seek out flowering and fruiting trees to feed on nectar, fruit, or insects. They are especially easy to observe when they feed on the pink cherry trees that blossom in March. The best place to see this spectacle is Alishan, where its renowned flower season attracts hordes of tourists every year.

Taiwan Firecrest (Formosan Firecrest)
Regulus goodfellowi
This is the smallest of the endemic species, but it's the most colorful member of the family Regulidae in the world. Taiwan Firecrests are common in coniferous forests 2,000 meters or higher in elevation. They are often found at the top of trees, zitting about in small flocks with Coal Tits and Eurasian Nuthatches. They are easily identified by their yellow belly, black crown, and black eye-ring. Occasionally one will spot the orange or yellow crest as the bird actively hops about the branches. Although noisy, their call is soft and is usually not detected from great distances. Alishan, Tayuling, Hohuanshan, Yushan, and the higher areas of Anmashan are good places to look for this bird.

Taiwan Tit (Yellow Tit)
Parus holsti
The Yellow Tit is not abundant, but it's not too difficult to find in the appropriate habitat. Yellow Tits prefer old deciduous or mixed forests between 1,000 and 2,000 meters in elevation, some descending to lower elevations during cooler months. They are often found in pairs or small flocks, often mixed with other tits or babbler species, in the mid and upper regions of the forest. Yellow Tits may be identified by their yellow face and belly, blue wings, and a tall black crest with a white edge. Males have a black vent and have a more melodious song than females; they used to be highly sought after for the pet trade before they were listed as protected species. Their call is described by A New Guide to the Birds of Taiwan as "a variety of cheerful songs and notes: 'per-dee, per-dee' etc. or 'per-wi-chee, per-wi-chee' etc. or 'ji-di-dee, ji-di-dee' etc." Some places where Yellow Tits are relatively easy to see include Lalashan, Anmashan, Hsitou, and Tsuifeng.

Taiwan Blue Magpie (Formosan Blue Magpie, Taiwan Magpie)
Urocissa caerulea
This is a bird you should be familiar with by now! It is my favorite bird in Taiwan, and one of the most attractive. Taiwan Blue Magpies are found at a lower elevation than most of the other endemics, from 1,000 meters down to sea level. They live in broadleaf forests, both old and second growth, and can tolerate some human development in their habitat. The lowland forests of most counties are good places to look for Blue Magpies, such as Wulai and Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei, and Shanping in Kaohsuing. These birds are not abundant, and it usually takes some luck to find them. They have a routine route that they follow daily and are often seen feeding near street lamps the first thing every morning to prey on moths and beetles. They may also be found feeding on fruit-bearing trees. Taiwan Blue Magpies usually travel in small flocks of a dozen birds or less, sometimes within a larger flock of Himalayan Treepies. They are easily identified by their large size, long and graduated white-tipped tail, black head, yellow eyes, and red legs and bill. Blue Magpies are cooperative breeders and often build their large nests in conspicuous areas near human activity. They aggressively defend their nest from any approaching human or large mammal during this period. Click here for more information and pictures of this splendid endemic.
 

NEAR-ENDEMICS

Bamboo Partridge (Chinese Bamboo Partridge)
Bambusicola thoracica
Bamboo Partridges are endemic to China and Taiwan. However, the endemic subspecies in Taiwan looks drastically different from that of the mainland and was formerly classified as an endemic species (B. sonorivox). Both subspecies have been introduced to Japan, but interestingly they have not been found to interbreed. In Taiwan, Bamboo Partridges are very widespread and common, and are still widely hunted for food. They are found under broadleaf forests, bamboo forests, and in grassy areas from sea level up to 2,000 meters in elevation. Although secretive and hard to spot, once found they do not tend to flee but rather walk away slowly. They are also easily flushed when walking on narrow trails through the forest and may escape with a loud explosion of wingbeats. In some national parks they have become accustomed to visitors and will walk fearlessly along the sides of open trails. Their call, as written in A New Guide to the Birds of Taiwan, is a "loud raspy 'kee-ko-gwai' that explodes from the dense brush and is then repeated rapidly until it 'unwinds' and stops." Bamboo Partridges travel in pairs or small flocks. The males have a spur on each leg and are more brightly colored than the females.

Red-capped Green Pigeon (Formosan Green Pigeon)
Sphenurus formosae
Red-capped Green Pigeons have a very narrow range; they are only found in northern Philippine, Taiwan, and Okinawa in Japan. In Taiwan, they are considered a rare species. However, they are not hard to find in some areas, particularly in the south and on Orchid Island, and may have been overlooked as Japanese Green Pigeons in other areas. Both male and female Red-capped Green Pigeons have a completely green belly while the Japanese Green Pigeon has a yellowish tinge to the chest and grayish-white underbelly. In flight, Red-capped Green Pigeons do not have dark edges on either side of the tail like the Japanese Green Pigeon. The Red-capped Green Pigeon is only found in coastal and lowland forest whereas Japanese Green Pigeons may be found up to 2,000 meters in elevation. At Kenting National Park and Orchid Island the Red-capped Green Pigeon is probably more common than the Japanese Green Pigeon. Otherwise, the two species are remarkably similar. Both species are often spotted perching on snags or at the tops of trees, and they both like to feed on fruit. The two species, however, are not believed to form mixed flocks.

Blue Shortwing (White-browed Shortwing)
Brachypteryx montana
The Blue Shortwing is one of the most difficult birds to see. They are commonly heard, but very difficult to locate as it calls from deep in the underbrush. Its call is a short, downward spiral of a jumble of sharp notes. Blue Shortwings live in broadleaf and mixed forests between 1,000 and 2,500 meters in elevation. They are more likely to be seen on dark, narrow trails through the forest than on open roads. Good places to find this bird include Lalashan, Anmashan, and Tsuifeng.

White-browed Bush Robin
Erithacus indicus
The White-browed Bush Robin looks very similar to the female Collared Bush Robin, but it has a broader white brow and yellow instead of white undertail coverts. Furthermore, this bird is less common and generally prefers denser forest, though it is usually seen foraging on open ground like the Collared Bush Robin. It is uncommonly found in mixed forests at an elevation around 2,000 meters. Places where White-browed Bush Robins are more easily seen include the logging roads at Lalashan, Anmashan, and Tsuifeng.

Island Thrush
Turdus niveiceps
Robert Swinhoe described this bird as endemic to Taiwan, calling it the Formosan Thrush (T. albiceps). It has now been reclassified as the Island Thrush, a species with more than 50 described subspecies distributed throughout many islands in southeast Asia. However, the Island Thrush of Taiwan has long been viewed as a possible split because the male bird of the Taiwan subspecies has a milky white head seen in no other subspecies. The Island Thrush is a rare and beautiful bird in Taiwan, and is often viewed with the same grandiose as the Swinhoe's and Mikado Pheasants. Island Thrush are most easily seen during the autumn and early winter, when a specific tree bears clusters of red berries that attract many species of birds. During this time, the Island Thrush may form large, mixed flocks with Red-bellied, Pale, and Eye-browed Thrushes. Also mixed in the thrush flocks are similar sized White-eared Sibia. As these flocks travel through the forest, their "tzeet" calls can easily be heard. During the spring and summer, however, Island Thrush becomes more solitary and territorial. Males sing from the exposed branches at the top of trees where they can be found by tracing the songs to their source. Their song resembles the call of the Bronzed Drongo, but with a much prolonged melody. Island Thrush are usually found in the canopy of mature broadleaf and mixed forests from 1,000 to 2,000 meters in elevation, in places such as Anmashan, Hsitou, and Tsuifeng.

Pygmy Wren Babbler
Pnoepyga pusilla
Next to the Blue Shortwing, this is also one of the most difficult birds to observe in Taiwan. However, I have seen it many times more than the Blue Shortwing. Their song is described by A New Guide to the Birds of Taiwan as "a jumble of high, think sibilant notes, usually paired except for the first one: 'seee see-see see-see see-see'. Note is a wheezy 'pshhhh.'" Both are easily heard penetrating from the deep forest. Usually, the encounters are unexpected; deliberate searches are often fruitless (Murphy's Law?). Though secretive, the bird isn't very shy. When seen, Pygmy Wren Babblers rarely flee but usually go about their business foraging on the ground or on low branches without paying any attention to the observer. They are tiny birds with scaly patterns all over the body and virtually no visible tail. Pygmy Wren Babblers are widespread and common in dense forest at an elevation of 1,000 to 2,000 meters, such as Lalashan, Alishan, Anmashan, Hsitou, and Tsuifeng.
 

RARE SPECIES

Chinese Crested Tern
Sterna bernsteini
The rediscovery of this rare tern in Taiwan caused great excitment among the orthonological community. There has been fewer than a dozen records of this species since its initial discovery in China in 1863. In June 2000, at least eight birds tending four nests were discovered within a colony of Crested Terns at Matsu, a tiny group of islands located in the Taiwan Strait. This is the first breeding record for this species, and the single chicks in all four nests fledged successfully. Photographer Liang Chich-tch, who was filming a documentary of the birds at this wildlife sanctuary, did not notice that he had caught these rare birds on film until making the cuts for the final documentary. The main threats to this protected colony are the mainland Chinese fishermen who use dynamite near the island and also collect bird eggs from the colonies. As of now, it is unlikely that birders will have access to this island. However, there is a chance that this may be a possibility in the future.

For more information and a nice video clip, check out these pages:

Black-faced Spoonbill
Platalea minor
Taiwan is the most important wintering ground of the highly endangered Black-faced Spoonbill. Of the six species of spoonbills worldwide, Black-faced Spoonbills have the smallest range and population. They breed on the eastern coast of China and Korea and spend the winter in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Black-faced Spoonbills resemble the Oriental White Spoonbill in appearance, but are slightly smaller and have a black face. In the spring they develop rusty yellow feathers on their crest and around the neck. Fewer than 700 Black-faced Spoonbills are believed to exist, and more than 300 winter in Taiwan from October through April at Chiku in the Tsengwen River Estuary, Tainan County. Unfortunately, an industrial complex, incinerator, school, airport, highway and other development projects have been proposed near or in this area, threatening to pollute and destroy the wetland and driving the spoonbills to extinction. Even worse, this project has been approved by the government. A desperate battle is being fought by birders and environmentalists both local and worldwide to save the habitat of the Black-faced Spoonbills.

For more about Black-faced Spoonbill conservation, see the following links:

Saunder's Gull
Larus saundersi
The global population of the threatened Saunder's Gull is estimated at 3,000 birds (Oriental Bird Club). Every year from September through April, the Saunder's Gull is a common winter resident on the western shores of Taiwan, especially around Tatu River Estuary of Changhua County. They are often found on mudflats, in estuaries, and fish ponds. The bird should not be confused with the similar and more numerous Black-headed Gull found in the same areas. Black-headed Gulls are larger and have red bills that are longer and thinner than Saunder's Gulls.