Taiwan is a mountainous island in the South China Sea, about 160 km (100 miles) off the Chinese mainland. The forested beauty of the island led Portuguese sailors in 1590 to name it Ilha Formosa, meaning “Beautiful Island.” The tropic of Cancer passes through the southern part of the island.
Monday–Tuesday, May 2–3 - Day 1 - Taipei to Kukwang
Our EVA Airways flight departed Vancouver at 1:50 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on May 2, arriving at Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport, Taoyuan, 50 km west of Taipei, at 5:10 a.m. on May 3. Our group of 10 transferred to our comfortable bus. Taiwan’s rainy season had begun only a few days before, but Simon assured us that we would drive out of the wet conditions as we went south, and we did. The Tung trees Aleurites Montana, (called “May Snow” because the fallen blossoms carpet the ground like snow), were in flower.
Near Taichung, we picked up our co-leader, Ten-Di Wu, and assistants Linda Kao and “Kite” Liu. Heading southeast into the hills toward Wufeng, we found Light-vented Bulbul (abundant), Black-browed Barbet, Plain Prinia, Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler, Collared Finchbill, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Crested Goshawk, and Malayan Night-Heron (on nest). Continuing farther into the hills, in the vicinity of Tunglin village, we found Formosan Magpie (E), Gray-spotted Flycatcher, Gray Treepie, Gray-cheeked Fulvetta, Rufous-capped Babbler, Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, and Yellow-browed Warbler. Leaving the village, we came across a Japanese Sparrowhawk and a migrant Chinese Goshawk. Continuing on, we arrived at Kukwang on the Tachia River after dark, and settled into the Four Seasons Resort for the night.
Wednesday, May 4 - Day 2 - Kukwang to An Ma Shan
Early morning birding on the Shaulai Trail above the hotels produced Collared Scops-owl, Varied Tit and more Formosan Magpies (E), but otherwise was very quiet. We saw Plumbeous Redstarts along the Tachia River. We moved on to the Ba Sian Shan (“Eight Fairy Mountain”) Recreation Area, where there were more Collared Finchbills, Gray-chinned Minivets, a Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, and a Black-backed Wagtail. Continuing along the Tachia River, we walked part of Sarlien Lane. White-bellied Yuhina, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers were seen, and most of the group had good looks at [Taiwan] Hwamei.
After lunch in Tungshih, we transferred from our bus to 3 vans for the continuation of the drive to An Ma Shan. The road to An Ma Shan Forest Recreation Area had been severely damaged by typhoons during the summer of 2004. Officially, the road was “closed”, but we had permission to travel on the temporary road which provided the only access to the mountain. Forest workers, wardens and a small maintenance staff for the buildings still required access, so a temporary, bridge had been constructed. Our bus was too big to use the temporary bridge, requiring us to change to the vans. On the way, we stopped at Km 15 and again at Km 23, the “Lookout”, where there is a sturdy viewing platform overlooking white-flowered Idesia polycarpa trees. On this day, there was noisy heavy equipment working at the bend of the road. There were few birds, except for White-eared Sibia (E). Resuming our drive, we soon saw why the bus could not make this journey. The typhoons had caused a large part of the mountainside to break away and plummet into the valley below, taking the road with it. For a stretch of about 200 m, the missing road had been replaced by a temporary single-lane bridge of wooden planks, supported by steel pylons anchored to the rock face far below. The bridge was just wide enough for our vans to get through. We arrived at An Ma Shan Forest Reserve, elevation 2300 m (7500 feet), in the late afternoon. In the fading light, a party of Steere’s Liocichla (E) foraged just below our cabins.
Thursday, May 5 - Day 3 - An Ma Shan Forest Reserve
Birding on Trail 210 at 5 a.m: The first bird of the morning was Gray-faced Woodpecker, followed by Black-throated Tit, Taiwan Yuhina (E), Rufous-faced Warbler, Eurasian Jay, Gray-headed Bullfinch, Gray-throated Minivet, Green-backed Tit, Vivid Niltava, White-eared Sibia (E), Ashy Wood-Pigeon, Vinaceous Rosefinch, and a single Silver-backed Needletail. From the valley below, came the call of the Taiwan Partridge (E). Historically, this has been a good place to find Mikado Pheasant, and sometimes Swinhoe’s Pheasant, but today we were not lucky.
In mid-morning, we moved up to Trail 220 at Km 39, but shortly beyond the trailhead, we found the way blocked by a rockfall, caused by a combination of typhoon and earthquake. We saw White bellied Pigeon and heard White-browed Shortwing.
Driving higher, we saw Black Eagle and Great-spotted Eagle as they flew over the valley. Arriving at Hsaio Xai Shan (“Little Snow Mountain”), elevation 2600 m (8500 ft.), we walked part of Trail 230, seeing White-whiskered Laughingthrush (E), Collared Bush-Robin (E), Coal Tit, Eurasian Nutcracker and an agitated Yellow-bellied Bush-Warbler. Some of the group ventured farther, encountering a trail wash-out and glimpsing a Taiwan Serow, an endemic herbivore.
Friday, May 6 - Day 4 - An Ma Shan to Douliou
We returned to Trail 210 in the early morning, hoping for better success with pheasants, but it was not to be. South winds were blowing strongly, preceding a storm front. One person saw Taiwan Barwing (E).
As we ate our picnic breakfast near the park entrance, 4 White-throated Laughingthrushes moved through the trees behind us. We drove the road to Hsiao Xai Shan again, hoping for pheasants, but still were not lucky. Rain began.
We drove to the lowlands, to Lugang, in pouring rain. The rain abated somewhat as we went to a large open field on the outskirts of the city, which held several species, including Oriental Skylark, Zitting Cisticola, and a briefly-glimpsed Black-capped Kingfisher.
We went to Hambao wetland in drizzle; the wind continued. We saw Little Egret, Curlew, Sharp-tailed and Marsh Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstone, Red-necked Stint, Lesser Sandplover, and Oriental Plover, a rare vagrant in Taiwan, in a rice paddy.
As the rain stopped, we made our way to the Choushui River to watch for Allied Nightjar at dusk. Some birds seen in addition to the nightjars were Cinnamon Bittern, Golden-headed Cisticola and Oriental Pratincole.
We continued to the Metro Hotel in Douliou (Touliu) for the night.
Saturday, May 7 - Day 5- Douliou to Kuang Tselin Hot Spring
We made an early start for the hot, lush, dense lowland forest of Mango Valley. We walked a short distance along the small, quiet stream that flows through the valley bottom. After a while, we saw a beautiful Fairy Pitta (and heard more), as well as Rufous-capped Babbler, Collared Finchbill, Black Bulbul and Black-naped Monarch. The sharp, double-whistle call of the Fairy Pitta can be heard a kilometre away, but seeing the bird requires patience.
At the Aougo (Aouwu, Aoku) Wetland, there were Little Grebe, Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, many herons, egrets, Common Moorhen, Black-winged Stilt, Pacific Golden and Black-bellied Plover; Greater and Lesser Sandplover, Snowy Plover, Common Greenshank; Marsh, Green, Terek and Common Sandpipers, and Red-necked Stint. A White-breasted Waterhen made a very brief appearance in a water-filled ditch. Across the road, a Red-collared Dove was found caught an illegal net. The bird was extracted from the net, examined and released unharmed.
Farther south, in the Putai town vicinity, we discovered 9 late-lingering Black-faced Spoonbills, along with many waders, including Spotted Redshank. At the Pachang River Mouth, there were Eurasian Curlew, Terek Sandpiper, as well as Little, Whiskered and Black-naped Terns.
We turned west into the hills, arriving at Kuang Tselin (Kuantzuling) hot Springs after dark. A Mountain Scops-Owl called near our hotel, and was seen by some of the group.
Sunday, May 8 - Day 6 - Kuang Tselin to Kenting
After our early outdoor breakfast, we watched a Formosan Whistling-Thrush (E) carry food to a concealed nest in the eaves of the house cross the road. Then we headed to the Tsengwen Dam area. The best birds there were Chinese Bamboo Partridge, White-tailed Robin and Dollarbird (rare).
Next, we went to the Kwangtien (Guantian) Wetland where we saw 3 Pheasant-tailed Jacanas resplendent in breeding plumage. Simon and Ten-Di received a tip that 2 Chinese Egrets had been found at Chiku the previous day, so we headed back to the coast to look for them. After some searching, we were successful in relocating one.
We turned south once more and headed for Kenting (Kending) in Taiwan’s tropical far south. Before going to our hotel, we stopped at Long Luan Tan Lake at dusk, finding Chinese Pond Heron and Bar-tailed Godwit as another storm approached. Thunder, lightening and more rain arrived during supper. We checked in at the Seaview Resort.
Monday, May 9 - Day 7 - Kenting to A Li Shan
Styan’s Bulbul (E) is found only in the extreme south and east of Taiwan. In appropriate habitat, this endemic bulbul is easy to find. Like the very common Light-vented Bulbul, Styan’s can be found in Kenting city, and in the countryside.
We went out at 5 a.m., returning to Long Luan Tan Lake. We had better success than in the previous evening, finding Chinese Pond Heron, Ruddy-breasted Crake and White-breasted Waterhen. After breakfast, we departed northward, to Inda EcoFarm, the only place in Taiwan where Black-naped Oriole can still be reliably found. We saw 5 of these orioles, including a female on a nest. As we had still not found Maroon Oriole, we spent some time in the Chung Pu town area, searching. At last, success!
We began to climb toward A Li Shan, arriving at A Li Shan Forest Recreation Area, the Ying Shan Hotel in A Li Shan village, after dark. We looked forward to having the next day in “high mountain” habitat again. Unfortunately, heavy rain and wind began again, and continued all night.
Tuesday, May 10 - Day 8 - A Li Shan to Shihmen Dam
In the morning, rain was still pouring, and our driver, Mr. Shih, was worried about the possibility of rockfalls on the road trapping us (or worse) on the mountain. He advised us to leave, quickly, and we agreed that it would be prudent to do so. We started down, having to stop twice to roll rocks off of the road.
We had better luck in lowland rice field habitat at Dar Hsi Choi (“Big Stream Little House”) near Chiayi, finding Greater Painted-Snipe, Yellow Wagtail and a Red-billed Starling, in the rain.
We continued north to the Shihmen Reservoir area, in the foothills of Taoyuan County. Continuing rain and fog precluded further birding for the day. Night at the Howard Lake Resort.
Wednesday, May 11 - Day 9 - Shihmen Dam to Taipei
We headed for Taipei for a very special event; an hour’s meeting with Taiwan’s President Mr. Chen Shui-bien in the President’s Office, regarding birding eco-tourism and conservation issues in Taiwan. At the conclusion of the meeting, he showed us the Heritage Room, decorated with many aboriginal motifs, adjacent to the reception room.
In the afternoon, we had an opportunity to see a little of Taipei. We visited the Hsing Tien Temple, a Taoist temple dedicated to Kwan Yu, the male counterpart of Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.
After supper, it was time to return to Chang Kai-Shek International Airport for the return flight to Vancouver.
We saw 9 of 15 endemic species and heard another (Taiwan Partridge). The total bird species for the trip was 162; 158 seen, 3 heard only, and 1 seen by a leader only.
For more information, contact:
In Taiwan; Simon Liao: simonliao0624 AT yahoo.com.tw
In Canada; Jo Ann MacKenzie: j.a.mackenzie AT telus.net
International Taiwan Birding Association, www.birdingintaiwan.com
Taxonomy, names and sequence follow Birds of the World, a Checklist, 5th edition, 2000, by James F. Clements, updated to July, 2004. Where the name in Clements differs from that in Birds of Taiwan, 1991, the Clements name is given first, followed by the Birds of Taiwan name in brackets. Species endemic to Taiwan are shown in bold ALL CAPS. Some birds were not seen by every person. Birds that were “heard only” or “leader only,” are indicated.
Notes: Shan, pronounced sahn, = mountain; tan = lake, hsi = river. Dar Hsi Choi (“Big stream; Old house”) is a farming area (rice, lotus) near Chiayi.
GREBES
Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis [Podiceps ruficollis] – many in wetland habitats – Hambao, Aougo Wetland; Tsengwen River estuary; Kwangtien Wetland; Long Luan Tan in Kenting National Park.
HERONS, EGRETS AND BITTERNS
Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea – 2, Aougo Wetland
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea – 1, Pachang Hsi estuary
Great Egret, Ardea alba [Egretta alba] – common in freshwater habitat
Intermediate Egret, Egretta intermedia – uncommon in freshwater habitat
Little Egret, Egretta garzetta – very common in both freshwater and saltwater habitats
Chinese Egret, Egretta eulophotes – rare, 1, Chiku area. Listed as “Vulnerable” by BirdLife International.
Pacific Reef Heron [Eastern Reef-Heron], Egretta sacra – 1, May 3, single observer
Chinese Pond-Heron, Ardeola bacchus – 1, Kwantien Wetland; 2, Long Luan Tan, Kenting
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis – many in lowland habitat, especially around farms
Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax – many, associated with freshwater habitats
Malayan Night-Heron [Tiger Bittern], Gorsachius melanolophus – 1, on nest, Wufeng area; 1, Mango Valley
Yellow Bittern [Chinese Little Bittern], Ixobrychus sinensis – 1, Aougo wetland
Cinnamon Bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus – 1, Choshui Hsi; 1, Aougo wetland; 1, Kwantien wetland
IBISES AND SPOONBILLS
Black-faced Spoonbill, Platalea minor – 1, May 3, Miaoli County; 9, west coast near Putai town. Globally threatened.
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchus – 2, Long Luan Tan
Spot-billed Duck, Anas poecilorhyncha – 2, Tachia Hsi, Ba Sian Shan; 30, Long Luan Tan, Kenting
Northern Pintail [Pintail], Anas acuta – 2, Aougo wetland
HAWKS, EAGLES AND KITES
Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus caeruleus – Aougo wetland
Black Kite, Milvus migrans – Wufeng area
Crested Serpent-Eagle, Spilornis cheela – 16 in appropriate habitat
Crested Goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus – 3, Wufeng area; 1, Tsengwen Dam, 1, Tsongpu town area
Chinese Goshawk [Chinese Sparrow Hawk], Accipiter soloensis – 1, Tonglin area; 1, Aougo
Japanese Sparrowhawk [Japanese Lesser Sparrow Hawk], Accipiter virgatus – 1 Wufeng area; 1 An Ma Shan
Black Eagle [Indian Black Eagle], Ictionaetus malayensis – 1, An Ma Shan
Greater Spotted Eagle, Aquila clanga – 1, An Ma Shan
FALCONS AND CARACARAS
Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus – 1, Aougo; 1, Tsengwen Dam area
PHEASANTS AND PARTRIDGES
TAIWAN PARTRIDGE [TAIWAN HILL PARTRIDGE], Arborophila crudigularis – 1, heard only; An Ma Shan, Trail 210
Chinese Bamboo-Partridge [Bamboo Partridge], Bambusicola thoracica – 1 seen, Tsengwen Dam area; 3 others heard only in appropriate habitat
RAILS, GALLINUES AND COOTS
White-breasted Waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus – 2, Auogo wetland; 2 Long Luan Tan, Kenting
Ruddy-breasted Crake, Porzana fusca – 4, Long Luan Tan, Kenting
Common Moorhen [Moorhen], Gallinula chloropus – common in marsh habitat
Eurasian Coot [Coot], Fulica atra – 1, Long Luan Tan, Kenting
JACANAS
Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus – 3, Kwangtien
PAINTED-SNIPES
Greater Painted-Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis – 2, Dar Hsi Choi
STILTS AND AVOCETS
Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus – more than 100 each at Hambao, Aougo Wetland,and Chiku; 10, Long Luan Tan, Kenting
PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS
Oriental Pratincole, Glareola maldivarum – 1, Lukang; 4, Choshui Hsi
Pacific Golden-Plover [American Golden Plover], Pluvialis fulva [Pluvialis dominica] – 3, Hambao; 2 Aougo Wetland
Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola – 1, Pachang Hsi estuary
Snowy Plover [Kentish Plover], Charadrius alexandrinus – many at Hambao, Aougo Wetland and Chiku
Lesser Sandplover [Mongolian Plover], Charadrius mongolus – many at Hambao and Aougo Wetland
Greater Sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultia – 2, Aougo
Oriental Plover, Charadrius veredus – 1, Hambao; vagrant
SANDPIPERS AND ALLIES
Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago – 2, Hambao
Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica – 1, Chiku; 1, Long Luan Tan, Kenting
Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata – 1, Pachang Hsi estuary
Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus – 10, near Putai
Common Redshank, Tringa totanus – 1, Hambao
Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis – 1, Hambao
Common Greenshank [Greenshank], Tringa nebularia – 1, Hambao; 20, Aougo Wetland; 12, Chiku; 1, Long Luan Tan, Kenting
Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus – 1, Long Luan Tan, Kenting
Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola – 1, Aougo, leader only
Terek Sandpiper, Xenus cinereus – 1, Hambao; 2, Aougo Wetland; 1, Pachang Hsi estuary
Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos [Tringa hypoleucos] – 1, Hambao; 1, Chiku; 1, Long Luan Tan
Gray-tailed Tattler, Heterosceles brevipes [Tringa brevipes] – 2, Hambao; 3, Aougo; 2, Chiku
Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres – 6, Hambao; 6, Aougo; 3, Chiku
Sanderling, Calidris alba [Crocethia alba] – 3, Aougo; 2, Chiku
Red-necked Stint [Rufous-necked Stint], Calidris rufficollis – 2, Hambao; 2, Aougo Wetland; 1, Chiku; 1 Long Luan Tan
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminate – 15, Hambao; 10, Aougo
Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea – 2, Hambao; 20, Aougo
Dunlin, Calidris alpina – 10, Hambao
TERNS
Great Crested Tern, Sterna bergii – 6, Chiku
Black-naped Tern, Sterna sumatrana – 2, Pachang Hsi
Little Tern, Sterna albifrons – 20, Aougo; 50, Pachang Hsi
Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybridus [Sterna hybrida] – 20, Hambao; 20, Aougo Wetland; 50 Chiku and Pachang Hsi; 4, Long Luan Tan
White-winged Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus – 20, Hambao; 100+, Aougo Wetland; 25, Chiku
PIGEONS AND DOVES
Rock Pigeon [Rock Dove], Columba livia – many in varied habitats
Ashy Wood-Pigeon, Columba pulchricollis – 4, An Ma Shan
Oriental Turtle-Dove [Rufous Turtle-Dove], Streptopelia orientalis – 4, Wufeng area
Red Collared-Dove [Red Turtle Dove], Streptopelia tranquebarica – seen almost every day, in various habitats
Spotted Dove, Streptopelia chinensis – common in lowlands.
White-bellied Pigeon [Japanese Green Pigeon], Treron sieboldii [Sphenurus sieboldi] – 6, An Ma Shan, Trail 220
CUCKOOS
Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Cuculus sparveroides – 2, An Ma Shan, Trail 210; 1 heard only, An Ma Shan
Oriental Cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus – 2, Wufeng area; heard only, An Ma Shan and Tsengwen Dam
Lesser Coucal, Centropus bengalensis – 3, Aougo Wetland
TYPICAL OWLS
Mountain Scops-Owl [Scops Owl], Otus spilocephalus – 1, Kwang Tselin hotspring
Collared Scops-Owl, Otus lettia [Otus bakkamoena] – 1, Kukwang
Oriental Scops-Owl [Scops Owl], Otis sunia [Otus scops] – 1 heard only, May 7
NIGHTJARS
Savanna Nightjar [Allied Nightjar], Caprimulgus affinis – 6, Choshui Hsi
SWIFTS
Silver-backed Needletail, Hirundapus cochinchinensis – 1, An Ma Shan, Trail 210
Fork-tailed Swift [Northern White-rumped Swift], Apus pacificus – 2, Wufeng area
House Swift, Apus nipalensis [Alpus affinis] – large numbers in open areas
KINGFISHERS
Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis – Several in wetland habitats
Black-capped Kingfisher, Halcyon pileata – 1, Lukang
ROLLERS
Dollarbird [Broad-billed Roller], Eurystomus orientalis – 1, heard only, Wufeng area; 1, Tsengwen Dam
BARBETS
Black-browed Barbet [Muller’s Barbet], Megalaima oorti – almost daily
WOODPECKERS
Gray-capped Woodpecker [Gray-headed Pygmy Woodpecker], Dendrocopos canicapillus – 1, Kukwang; 1, Mango Valley; 2, Tsengwen Dam; 1, Inda EcoFarm, Wanluan
Gray-faced Woodpecker [Gray-headed Green Woodpecker], Picus canus – 2, An Ma Shan, Trail 210
PITTAS
Fairy Pitta [Indian Pitta], Pitta Nympha [Pitta brachyura] – 1, heard only, Wufeng area; 3, Mango Valley; 1, heard only, Inda EcoFarm, Wanluan
LARKS
Oriental Skylark, Alauda gulgula – many in open field habitat
SWALLOWS
Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia – 6, Hambao
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica – common in lowlands
Pacific Swallow, Hirundo tahitica – common in lowlands
Striated Swallow, Hirundo striolata – common in lowlands. (See footnote 1).
Asian Martin [House Martin], Delichon dasypus – 3, Kukwang; 10, Aougo; 10, Tsengwen Dam
WAGTAILS AND PIPITS
White Wagtail, Motacilla alba – 1, May 3, single observer
Black-backed Wagtail, Motacilla lugens – 1, Ba Sian Shan Forest Recreation Area
Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava taivana – 1, Dar Hsi Choi
CUCKOO-SHRIKES
Gray-chinned Minivet [Yellow-throated Minivet], Pericrocotus solaris – fairly common in appropriate habitat; mostly mid-elevation
BULBULS
Collared Finchbill, Spizixos semitorques – 3, Wufeng area; 12, Kukwang-Basian Shan area; 1 Mango Valley; 1, Tsengwen Dam; 6, Tsongpu town area
STYAN’S BULBUL [TAIWAN BULBUL], Pycnonotus taivanus – 20 in Kenting area
Light-vented Bulbul [Chinese Bulbul], Pycnonotus sinensis – common almost everywhere
Black Bulbul, Hypsipetes leucocephalus [H. madagascariensis] – common in wooded habitats
THRUSHES
FORMOSAN WHISTLING-THRUSH [TAIWAN WHISTLING-THRUSH], Myophonus insularis – 1, Kukwang; 2, An Ma Shan; 1, Pachang Hsi; 2, Kwang Tselin; 1, Tsongpu town area; 2, Shihmen Dam
White-browed Shortwing [Blue Shortwing], Brachypteryx montana – 2, heard only, An Ma Shan, Trail 220
CISTICOLAS AND ALLIES
Zitting Cisticola [Fan-tailed Warbler], Cisticola juncidis – 6, Hambao; 1, Kwangtien; 1, Long Luan Tan, Kenting; 6, Dar Hsi Choi
Golden-headed Cisticola [Gold-capped Cisticola], Cisticola exilis – 4, Choshui Hsi
Striated Prinia [Brown Hill Warbler], Prinia criniger [Prinia polychroa] – 1, A Li Shan
Yellow-bellied Prinia, Prinia flaviventris – 3, Aougo
Plain Prinia [Tawny-flanked Prinia], Prinia inornata [Prinia subflava] – fairly common in low wetland habitat
OLD WORLD WARBLERS
Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler [Strong-footed Bush Warbler], Cettia fortipes – 3, Wufeng area
Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler [Verreaux’s Bush Warbler], Cettia acanthizoides – 1, May 5, Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230
Dusky Warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus – 1, An Ma Shan
Yellow-browed Warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus – 1, Wufeng area
Rufous-faced Warbler [White-throated Flycatcher Warbler], Abroscopus albogularis – 2, An Ma Shan, Trail 210
OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS
Gray-spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa griseisticta – 5, Wufeng area; 1, An Ma Shan; 1, Tsengwen Dam
Ferruginous Flycatcher, Muscicapa ferruginea – 2, An Ma Shan; 1, Mango Valley; 1, Tsengwen Dam
Vivid Niltava, Niltava vivida – 4, An Ma Shan; 1, Tsengwen Dam; 1, Tsongpu town area
COLLARED BUSH-ROBIN, Tarsiger johnstoniae [Erithacus johnstoniae] – 1, Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230
Plumbeous Redstart [Plumbeous Water Redstart], Rhyacornis fuliginosus [Phoenicurus fulginosus] – 3, Tachia Hsi, Kukwang
White-tailed Robin [White-tailed Blue Robin], Cinclidium leucurum – 1, May 8, Tsengwen Dam
MONARCH FLYCATCHERS
Black-naped Monarch [Black-naped Blue Monarch], Hypothymis azurea – 2, An Ma Shan, Trail 210; 1, Mango Valley; 3, Tsongpu town area
BABBLERS
White-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis – 11, An Ma Shan
[Taiwan] Hwamei, Garrulax canorus taewanus – 2, Sarlien Lane, Kukwang area
WHITE-WHISKERED LAUGHINGTHRUSH [TAIWAN LAUGHING THRUSH], Garrulax morrisonianus – 7, Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230
STEERE’S LIOCICHLA, Liocichla steerii – 13, An Ma Shan
Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis – 2, Sarlien Lane, Kukwang area; 1, Tsengwen Dam area; 1, Tsongpu town area
Rufous-capped Babbler [Red-headed Tree Babbler], Stachyris ruficeps – 2, Wufeng area; 1, An Ma Shan; 2, Tsongpu town area
TAIWAN BARWING, Actinodura morrisoniana – 1, single observer, An Ma Shan, Trail 210
Dusky Fulvetta [Gould’s Fulvetta], Alcippe brunnea – 1, Mango Valley
Gray-cheeked Fulvetta, Alcippe morrisonia – 6, Wufeng area; 1, Tsengwen Dam; 1, Tsongpu town area
WHITE-EARED SIBIA [TAIWAN SIBIA], Heterophasia auricularis – 19, An Ma Shan
TAIWAN YUHINA, Yuhina brunneiceps – 40, An Ma Shan
White-bellied Yuhina, Yuhina zantholeuca – 1, Sarlien Lane, Kukwang area; 2, Tsengwen Dam area
PARROTBILLS
Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis webbianus – 2, Wufeng area; 2, Tsongpu town area
CHICKADEES AND TITS
Black-throated Tit [Red-headed Tit], Aegithalos concinnus – 10, An Ma Shan, Trail 210
Coal Tit, Periparus ater [Parus ater] – 1, Trail 230, Hsaio Xai Shan
Green-backed Tit, Parus monticolus – 4, An Ma Shan, Trail 210
Varied Tit, Sittiparus varius [Parus varius] – 1, Shaulai Train, Kukwang
NUTHATCHES
Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea – 5, An Ma Shan
FLOWERPECKERS
Plain Flowerpecker, Dicaeum concolor – 1, Tsengwen Dam
WHITE-EYES
Japanese White-eye, Zosterops japonicus – common except highest elevation
OLD WORLD ORIOLES
Black-naped Oriole, Oriolus chinensis – 5, Inda Eco-Farm, Wanluan
Maroon Oriole, Oriolus trailii – 2, May 9, Tsongpu town area
SHRIKES
Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus – 26 in open lowland habitats.
Long-tailed Shrike [Black-headed Shrike], Lanius schach – 1, Wufeng area; 10, Hambao; 10, Aougo
DRONGOS
Black Drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus – common at low elevation.
Bronzed Drongo, Dicrurus aeneus – fairly common at mid-elevation
CROWS, JAYS AND MAGPIES.
Eurasian Jay [Jay], Garrulus glandarius – 3, An Ma Shan Trail 210
FORMOSAN MAGPIE [TAIWAN BLUE MAGPIE], Urocissa caerulea – 6, Wufeng area; 4, An Ma Shan, Trail 210; 2, Tsongpu town area
Gray Treepie [Himalayan Tree Pie], Dendrocitta formosae – 10, Wufeng area; 4, An Ma Shan, Trail 210; 10, Tsongpu town area
Eurasian Magpie [Magpie], Pica pica – 1, Wufeng area; 2, Dar Hsi Choi
Eurasian Nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes – 4, Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230
Large-billed Crow [Jungle Crow}, Corvus macrorhynchos – fairly common at mid- to high elevation
Crested Myna, Acridotheres cristatellus – fairly common in open habitats at low elevation
Red-billed Starling [Silky Starling], Sternus sericeus – 1 post-winter lingerer, Dar Hsi Choi
European Starling [Common Starling], Sturnus vulgaris – 1, Kenting area
White-rumped Munia, Lonchura striata – 10, Km 15 on way to An Ma Shan
Nutmeg Mannikin, Lonchura punctulata – common in grassy, scrubby habitats at low elevation
SISKINS, CROSSBILLS AND ALLIES
Vinaceous Rosefinch, Carpodacus vinaceus – 3, An Ma Shan
Gray-headed Bullfinch [Beavan’s Bullfinch], Pyrrhula erythia – 3, An Ma Shan, Trail 210
Eurasian Tree Sparrow [Tree Sparrow], Passer montanus – abundant in towns
TOTAL SPECIES: 162; 164 seen, including 9 of Taiwan’s 15 endemics; 1 species heard only
Missed: SWINHOE’S PHEASANT, Lophura swinhoii; MIKADO PHEASANT, Syrmaticus Mikado; FLAMECREST, Regulus goodfellowi; TAIWAN BUSH WARBLER, Bradypterus alishanensis; YELLOW TIT, Macholophus holsti; TAIWAN PARTRIDGE, Arborophila crudigularis (heard only)
OTHER ANIMALS OBSERVED:
Taiwan Macaque [Formosan Rock-monkey], Macaca cyclopis – 1 on May 4; 6 on May 5; 2 on May 7
Red-bellied Squirrel, Calloscirus erythacus – 2 on May 5; 2 on May 7; 1 on May 9
Taiwan Serow, Naemorhedus swinhoei – Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230; 1 seen briefly on May 5
mudskipper sp. – many on coastal mudflats. There are at least 3 species of mudskipper in Taiwan.
small bat sp. – 200 on May 6
turtle sp. – 6 on May 9
snake sp. – 1 large snake was almost hit by the bus on May 9 in A Li Shan Forest Recreation Area
NOTES: 1 Striated and Red-rumped Swallows are very similar in appearance. Red-rumped appears in Taiwan only in migration, whereas Striated is a resident species.