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BIRDING IN TAIWAN
 
Low-Altitude Deciduous Forest
 
Fushan, Wulai
 Fushan, Wulai

At elevations below 1,000 meters in elevation, the forest is usually sub-tropical deciduous forest unless replaced by Japanese fir, bamboo, betel nut, or other agriculture. Since this is forest closest to developed areas, most of it is highly threatened by future development plans or is already severely degraded. A number of sites still remain intact, however, most of them in reserves. This area hosts a wide variety of bird species much different from that of the upper elevations. The endemic species found in this particular elevation is the Formosan Blue Magpie. Only an hour from Taipei, Wulai offers great birding. If one ventures deeper along the road, however, and ending up at Fushan village, try the 17 km trail connecting Fushan with Lalashan or the one connecting Fushan and Ha-pen Reserve at the Ilan border. Shanping in Kaoshuing and Chipen in Taitung are also beautifully preserved lowland ecosystems. Birding is best during the winter, when mid-elevation species descend to lower elevations in search of food and warmth. Migrants further add to the bird species during these months. During the spring and summer, however, butterflies will put on a spectacular show, and many birds are in their breeding plumage.
 

 
Recommended birding locations: Related trip reports: Birds likely to be seen:  Key:
 endemic species
 endemic subspecies
 W - winter
 S - summer
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