Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites.
Section 3 - Systematic list.
Systematic List
The following annotated species list, comprises all species known to date to have been recorded in mainland Taiwan, its islands and territorial waters. Taxonomy and nomenclature follow Clements (1991), with additions and corrections as published since. Sites and information for finding the more interesting species are included where relevant. Notes are also provided on a few distinctive forms which might be considered potential splits. Our observations are added for all species recorded during our trip.
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Trip: Kuantu; 1 heard (7/10/97).
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Short-tailed Albatross Diomedea albatrus
Rare breeder.
Black-footed Albatross Diomedea nigripes
Vagrant.
Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata
Rare breeder.
Bonin Petrel Pterodroma hypoleuca
Vagrant.
Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii
Rare breeder.
Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas
Migrant. Recorded off Hsincheng in April (Clark, 1992).
Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus
Migrant. Recorded off Hsincheng in April (Clark, 1992).
Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris
Vagrant.
Leach's Storm-Petrel Hydrobates leucorhous
Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel Hydrobates monorhis
Vagrant.
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel Hydrobates furcatus
Vagrant.
Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda
White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus
Great Frigatebird Fregata minor
Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel
Red-footed Booby Sula sula
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
Trip: Yelhoa; 3 (8/10/97) single birds passing south.
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus
Vagrant.
Red-faced Cormorant Urile urile
Vagrant.
Pelagic Cormorant Urile pelagicus
Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis
Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
Whistling Swan Cygnus columbianus
Swan Goose Anser cygnoides
Two have wintered at Kuantu Nature Reserve near Taipei over the last couple of winters. Lanyan River Estuary in Ilan is another regular place.
Tundra Bean Goose Anser (fabilis) serrirostris
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus
Brent Goose Branta bernicla
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
A rare resident of mountane streams, but can occur as a migrant at estuaries. Being a large lake surrounded by forest, Fushan Botanical Garden in Ilan county is the best place, but requires a permit to enter. Tsuifenghou near Taipingshan, Ilan county, Wuling Farm, Fushan, and the lake by Taipingshan are other possibilities. Another remote possibility is around the dam above Kukuan where they have been seen in the past.
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
American Wigeon Anas americana
Falcated Duck Anas falcata
Gadwall Anas strepera
Baikal Teal Anas formosa
A few winter at the Duck Park in Taipei each year, but they are hard to pick out from the thousands of Green-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler, and often fly to other parts of Tamsuei River if disturbed from construction or people in the park. They have occured at Kuantu, though less often.
Common Teal Anas crecca
Trip: Kuanta; 200+ (7-8/10/97). Yelhao; 20+ Anas sp. flying south thought this species.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha
Trip: Kuantu; 1 (8/10/97).
Philippine Duck Anas luzonica
Vagrant.
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Garganey Anas querquedula
Trip: Kuantu; 2 (7/10/97). Yelihoa; 1 (8/10/97) dusk sp. past south thought this species.
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Trip: Kuantu; 1 (8/10/97).
Common Pochard Aythya ferina
Canvasback Aythya valisineria
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca
Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri
Vagrant.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Greater Scaup Aythya marila
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Smew Mergellus albellus
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus
Vagrant.
Goosander Mergus merganser
White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Trip: Kuluan; 10+ (27/9, 4-5/10/97) mainly along the river below town. Kuantu; 10+ (7-8/10/97). Yelihoa; 3 (8/10/97).
Pacific Reef-Egret Egretta sacra
Trip: Lanyu; up to 6 daily (30/9-2/10/97). Kuantu; 1 (7/10/97). Yelhioa; 2 (8/10/97).
Medium Egret Egretta intermedia
Common winter visitor.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Trip: Kuantu; 10+ (7-8/10/98).
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Pied Heron Ardea picata
Vagrant.
Eastern Great Egret Casmerodius albus
Common winter resident. Trip: Lanyu; 1 (1/10/97). Kuantu; 6 (7-8/10/97).
Western Cattle Egret Ardea ibis
Trip: Wushe; 20 (29/9/97). Lanyu; 20+ daily (30/9-2/10/97). Kuantu; 60+ (7-8/10/97).
Chinese Pond-Heron Ardeola bacchus
Striated Heron Butorides striatus
Trip: Chiphen; 1 (3/10/97) along the river below the suspension bridge.
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Trip: Kuantu; 20+ (7/10/97).
Japanese Night-Heron Gorsachius goisagi
Vagrant.
Malayan Night-Heron Gorsachius melanolophus
Rare resident along mountain streams. In the last few years, though not in winter 96/97, some have wintered in the botanical garden in the middle of Taipei city. Recorded at Wushe (Gardner, 1996).
Yellow Bittern Botaurus sinensis
Schrenck's Bittern Botaurus eurhythmus
Vagrant. Recorded occasionally from Kuantu.
Cinnamon Bittern Botaurus cinnamomeus
Black Bittern Botaurus flavicollis
Vagrant.
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris
Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus
Vagrant. See Sacred Ibis.
Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
An introduced species with a ferally-established population, at least around Kuantu. Beware similarity with the vagrant Black-headed Ibis. Trip: Kuantu; 2+ (7-8/10/97).
Crested Ibis Nipponia nippon
No chance. The only recent record is of a single bird flying off the Penghu Islands.
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor
Endangered. A winter visitor to Tsengwen Hsi Ko.
Black Stork Ciconia nigra
Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana
Vagrant. However, a single wild bird arrived at Kuantu in 1995 and stayed. It was joined by a second bird some time later. The pair generally hang out in the Kuantu area, either in the grassy fields or along the estuary, though at times they fly off, only to return a few hours later. Trip: Kuantu; 2 (7/10/97) and a single (8/10/97).
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Trip: Yelhiao; 3 (8/10/97) singles along the coast, presumably migrants.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
Steller's Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus
A rare migrant. The best chance for this species is at Kenting National Park where it is sometimes seen within migrating flocks of Grey-faced Buzzard and Chinese Sparrowhawks.
Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus
Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela
Trip: Anmashan; 1 (26/9/97). Kukuan; 2 (27/9/97, 4/10/97). Chiphen; 1 (3/10/97).
Eastern Marsh-Harrier Circus spilonotus
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos
Crested Goshawk Lophospiza trivirgata
Trip: 1 (30/9/97) en route near Taitung.
Chinese Goshawk Tachyspiza soloensis
Japanese Sparrowhawk Tachyspiza gularis
Trip: Lanyu; up to 6 daily (30/9-2/10/97).
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Eurasian Goshawk Astur gentilis
Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
Mountain Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis
Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Trip: Lanyu; up to 4 daily (30/9-2/10/97). Tayuling; 1 (4/10/97). Kuantu; 3 (7-8/10/97). Yelhiao; 1 (8/10/97).
Merlin Falco columbarius
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
Trip: Yanmingshan; 2 singles (6/10/97).
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Trip: Kuantu; 1 (8/10/97). Yelhiao; 1 (8/10/97).
Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica
Blue-breasted Quail Coturnix chinensis
Taiwan Partridge Arborophila crudigularis
Taiwan endemic. Understorey of broadleaf forests from 300 - 2500 m. Extremely difficult to see, but locally common by voice in mid or high altitude montane forest. Said by local birders to be the most difficult of the Taiwan endemics to see, and it was certainly the only one we missed. Anmashan and Hsitou are regular spots. Trip: Anmashan; a few heard (26/9/97) just below the trail along Road 220 early in the morning. A search for this bird at Hsitou was not successful due to good habitat seemingly inaccessible.
Chinese Bamboo-Partridge Bambusicola thoracica
Very common and sometimes easily seen. Widespread in low to mid elevation forest. Try any forest trail. Anmashan, Lalashan, Tsuifeng, Wushe, Kukuan, Pasienshan, and Chipen are good sites. Trip: Kukuan; 2 (27/9/98) along a side road to the dam 10 km out on the road above town. Also 8 (4/10/98) along road 3.6 km from town. Chiphen; 11+ (3-4/10/98) along the main trail. Tayuling; a few heard (4/10/98). Hsitou; 2+ (6/10/98).
Swinhoe's Pheasant Lophura swinhoii
Taiwan endemic. Occurs in both broadleaf and coniferous forests from 200-2300 m. The best site is supposed to be along Road 210 at Anmashan, though we failed to find any. Other sites where they are regularly recorded is the forest trail at Tsuifeng, in forest aroud the lake at Wushe, and at Lalashan. Trip: Tsuifeng; 2 (28/9/97) walking along the trail in pouring rain. Shy, and quickly ran off down the trail when we came into view.
Mikado Pheasant Syrmaticus mikado
Taiwan endemic. Probably the most sought-after of Taiwan’s endemics. Occurs in broadleaf-coniferous, coniferous and bamboo forests between 1800 and 3300 m. Realistically, the place to get this pheasant is Anmashan, where they can be found relatively easily along Road 220. Walk slowly and quietly and be on the trail at first light before any walkers create disturbance. Can also be seen at other times of the day, especially after rain when they may feed in the open. Also possible at Tsuifeng and Taichung. Another possible site is Lalashan, Taoyuan county on the Northern Cross-island Highway, but not during weekends and public holidays. Hiking high on the trail in Yushan Natioanl Park is another good spot. Both this and the above species are often only seen fleetingly as they rush away from the observer. On obtaining such a view always look first at the leg colour; bright red in Swinhoe's, bluish-black in Mikado. The official logo of the Wild Bird Society ROC. Trip: Anmashan; 4 (26/9/97) in two groups, a kilometre or so in, along Road 220. Tayuling; one female (4/10/97) along the tunnel trial was the biggest surprise of the trip.
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
An elusive species of the eastern lowlands. The best place to try to see this bird is Hoping River train station north of Taroko Gorge on the east coast (see site information above).
Small Buttonquail Turnix sylvatica
Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator
Red-legged Crake Rallina fasciata
Vagrant.
Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides
Slaty-breasted Rail Lewinia striata
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus
Trip: Lanyu; 3 (1-2/10/97) in paddies along roadsides.
Baillon's Crake Zapornia pusilla
Ruddy-breasted Crake Zapornia fusca
White-browed Crake Poliolimnas cinereus
Watercock Gallicrex cinerea
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Trip: Kuantu; 4+ (7-8/10/97).
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Common Crane Grus grus
Hooded Crane Grus monacha
Vagrant.
Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis
Vagrant.
White-naped Crane Grus vipio
Vagrant.
Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii
Vagrant, with no recent records, but probably overlooked.
Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura
Rare migrant but probably overlooked. Trip: Lanyu; 1 (2/10/97) Gallinago sp. flushed from a paddy, had no white trailing edge to wing, and may have been this species.
Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala
Rare migrant, but probably overlooked.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Trip: Kuantu; 7 (7-8/10/97).
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Little Curlew Numenius minutus
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Trip: Kuantu; 2 (7/10/97).
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Trip: Kuantu; 2 (8/10/97).
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Trip: Kuantu; 2 (7-8/10/97).
Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer
Rare migrant. Try any of the larger estuaries.
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Trip: Kuantu; 2 (8/10/97).
Terek Sandpiper Tringa cinerea
Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos
Trip: Lanyu; 4 (1-2/10/97). Kuantu; 1 (8/10/97). Yelhiao; 1 (7/10/97).
Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes
Wandering Tattler Tringa incana
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris
Red Knot Calidris canutus
Sanderling Calidris alba
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis
Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii
Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Trip: Kuantu; 3 (8/10/97).
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Stilt Sandpiper Micropalama himantopus
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis
Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea
Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus
Ruff Calidris pugnax
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Trip: Lanyu; 3 (8/10/97).
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
Trip: Kuantu; 10 (8/10/97).
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Trip: Kuantu; 6 (7-8/10/97).
Kentish Plover Anarhynchus alexandrinus
Trip: Kuantu; 20 (8/10/97).
Siberian Sand Plover Anarhynchus mongolus
Trip: Kuantu; 1 (7/10/97).
Greater Sand-Plover Anarhynchus leschenaultii
Oriental Plover Anarhynchus veredus
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris
Common Gull Larus canus
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus
Rare winter visitor, Occasional at larger estuaries.
Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Saunders' Gull Larus saundersi
Endangered. Regular winter visitor in small numbers to most of the larger esturaies.
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii
Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana
Summer breeder. Pengu Islands or try checking the coastal rocks off the east coast.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus
Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata
Little Tern Sterna albifrons
Brown Noddy Anous stolidus
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus
Vagrant.
Japanese Murrelet Synthliboramphus wumizusume
Vagrant.
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica
Feral Pigeon Columba livia
Trip: Widespread and common at lower elevations.
Ashy Wood-Pigeon Columba pulchricollis
Easily found at higher elevations. Common at Anmashan, Tsuifeng, Tayuling, Kukuan. Trip: Anmashan; 6+ (26/9/97). Wushe; 4 (29/9/97). Tayuling; 2 (4/10/97).
Japanese Wood-Pigeon Columba janthina
Vagrant.
Oriental Turtle-Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Trip: Kukuan; 10 (27/9/97). Hsitou; 5 (6/10/97). Yanmingshan; 1 (6/10/97). Kuantu; 5 (7-8/10/97).
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Trip: Kukuan; 7 (27/9, 5/10/97). Kukuan; 2 (8/10/97).
Red Turtle-Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
Trip: Kukuan; 1 (27/9/97). Kukuan; 4 (8/10/97). Common en route in the lowlands of the east coast (3/10/97).
Slender-billed Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia amboinensis
Common, and one of the specialities on Lanyu. Also occurs on southern Taiwan, but not found easily. Trip: Lanyu; Up to 10 daily (1-3/10/97) in primary forest edge.
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
Trip: Kukuan; 1 (27/9/97). Lanyu; 2 (1-2/10/97) along the orad behind the school.
Orange-breasted Pigeon Treron bicincta
White-bellied Pigeon Treron sieboldii
Fairly common at mid elevations. Try Chiphen, Kukuan, Kenting, or Wushe. Trip: Wushe; One group of 12 (28/9/97) over the gorge below the suspension bridge. Kukuan; 1 (5/10/97).
Taiwan Green Pigeon Treron formosae
A speciality of Lanyu where fairly common. Otherwise a rare resident in southern Taiwan, possible around Kenting National Park. Trip: 5 (1/10/97) seen within the forest while walking up a dry stream -bed in the south of the island.
Black-chinned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus leclancheri
Vagrant from the Philippines.
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus
Vagrant.
Large Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus sparverioides
Common Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus varius
Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus
Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus
Rare migrant. Possible at Yelhioa or Kenting.
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis
Trip: Lanyu; 1 (30/9/97). Taitung; 1 (3/10/97) in flight across the road en route, just escaped death from an on-coming car.
Australasian Grass-Owl Tyto longimembris
White-fronted Scops Owl Otus sagittatus
Only known from a captive bird from 1979.
Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus
Commonly heard in mid and upper elevation forest, but difficult to see. Common at Anmashan, Tsuifeng, Kukuan, Chiphen, and Pasienshan. Trip: Anmashan; 3 heard (25/9/97) along the main road below the accommodation. Kukuan; 3 heard (27/9. 4/10/97) in forest edge around town. Hsitu; 1 heard (6/10/97). Did not seemingly respond to tape.
European Scops Owl Otus scops
Rare migrant.
Ryukyu Scops Owl Otus elegans
Another speciality of Lanyu, and one that does not occur at all on the mainland. Common in forested and wooded areas on the island. Most easily seen in the school yard at the village. This resident Scops Owl on Lanyu has had a compicated taxonomic history. It has previously been considered as O. scops botolensis , and also lumped in with O. Sunia. Trip: Lanyu; One (30/9/97) seen in the school yard (right next to the toilet block) and another heard. Responded and came in immediately to tape. Viewed at a range of only five metres.
Collared Scops Owl Otus lettia
Common at low and mid elevations. Difficult to locate, but commonly heard. Chiphen, Kukuan, Pasienshan, and Taroko Gorge are good sites.
Tawny Fish-Owl Ketupa flavipes
Very rare and local. Known to inhabit the streams and feed at the trout ponds at Fushan, Taipei county or Ilan.
Brown Wood-Owl Strix leptogrammica
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Collared Owlet Taenioptynx brodiei
Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata
Rare at mid and high elevations, and not easily seen. No specific site information.
Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Jungle Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus
Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis
White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacautus
An uncommon migrant and possible resident of mid elevations. Trip: Wushe; 2 (28/9/97) feeding high above the gorge east of town.
Pacific Swift Apus pacificus
Trip: Lanyu; 10 (30/9/97).
House Swift Apus nipalensis
Trip: Anmashan; 30 (26/9/97). Tsuifeng; 30 (28/9/97). At least 10 (3/10/97) en route. Kukuan; 100+ (4/10/97). Yanmingshan; 50+ (6/10/97).
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Trip: Kuantu; 2 (7/10/97).
Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda
Rare migrant, most often recorded at Yehliao. Trip: Lanyu; A single bird (1/10/197) along a dry forest stream in south of the island.
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata
Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
Rare migrant. Trip: Lanyu; 1 (1/10/97) near the weather station.
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
Black-browed Barbet Megalaima oorti
Trip: Kukuan/Pasienshan; 24+ (27/9, 4-5/10/97). Tsuifeng; 4 (28/9/97). Wushe; 2 (29/9/97). Yanmingshan; 2+ (6/10/97).
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla
Grey-capped Woodpecker Yungipicus canicapillus
Common at some low elevation forests such as Kukuan, Pasienshan, Fuyuan, Chiphen, Wushe, Taroko Gorge, and Kenting. Trip: Anmashan; 1 (26/9/97). Kukuan; 5 (27/9, 4-5/10/97). Lanyu; 1 (1/10/97).
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos
Trip: Anmashan; 1 (26/9/97). Tsuifeng; 1 (28/9/97).
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
Trip: Anmashan; 1 (26/9/97) along road 220.
Fairy Pitta Pitta nympha
Rare summer resident, breeding from May through August at very specific locations. Best site is Shihmen Reservior.
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea
Trip: Kukuan; 12+ (27/9, 4-5/10//97). Chiphen; 10+ (3/10/97). Hsitou; 4+ (5-6/10/97).
Black Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata
An uncommon migrant at Yehliao on the mainland, but resident, and one of the specialities on Lanyu Island, where it is unobtrusive in dense forest. Most easilly found by voice. Trip: Despite much effort in forest patches on the south of the island, could not be found. None calling.
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
Trip: Singles en route (25,29/9/97). Fairly common in the lowlands near Chiphen (3/10/97). Tayuling; 2 (4/10/97). Kukuan; 5 (4/10/97). Yanmingshan; 10 (6/10/97). Kuantu; 10+ (7-8/10/97). Yelhioa; 4 (8/10/97) en route.
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus
Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus
Trip: Anmashan; 12 (26/9/97). Wushe; 1 (27/9/97). Chiphen; 20 (3/10/97). Kukuan; 30+ (4-5/10/97).
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
Taiwan Magpie Urocissa caerulea
Taiwan endemic. Elusive. Forest from 300-1,200 m. If lucky you can spend ten minutes looking for this bird, if unlucky several days may still be insufficient. Common to uncommon at some low elevation locations. Kukuan, Pasienshan, and Chiphen are very regular sites. Also Taroko Gorge National Park at the right elevation, and possible along the coastal highway of Ilan to Taipei. Other possibilities are Shihmen Reservior and lower altitudes of Wushe. In Taipei county the best site is Yanmingshan or also try Wulai. Numbers appear to be increasing in the northern parts of Taipei county, mainly in Yangmingshan National Park, but decreasing in the southern parts, especially around Wulai, where formerly common. Trip: Very elusive. Much searching in several sites produced no sightings until one group of 10 (6/10/97) at Yanmingshan encountered (while driving!) in scrub/forest edge right next to the main road above the bus station in Yanmingshan.
Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae
Trip: Common at Kukuan, Wushe, Chiphen, and Yanmingshan.
Black-billed Magpie Pica pica
Trip: Kuantu; 2+ (7-8/10/97).
Southern Nutcracker Nucifraga hemispila
Trip: Pasienshan; 5+ (27/9, 5/10/97). Tayuling; 4 (4/10/97).
Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus
Vagrant.
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Carrion Crow Corvus corone
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
Trip: Anmashan; 1 (26/9/97) at higher altitude. Kukuan; common (27/9, 5/10/97). Wushe; common (29/9/97). Chiphen; 10+ (3/10/97) en route.Tayuling; 6 (4/10/97).
Collared Crow Corvus torquatus
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis
Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii
Rare at most sites, but uncommon to common at some specific places such as Chiphen and Fuyuan. Not uncommon at Shanping, Kaoshiung county and the forests of the east coast such as around Ilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Trip: Chiphen; 1 male (3/10/97) in open forest at the point the paved road finishes.
Oriental Cuckooshrike Coracina javensis
Uncommon at Shanping, Kaoshiung county and Fushan, Ilan county. Difficult elsewhere.
Black-winged Cuckooshrike Lalage melaschistos
Scarce migrant, at low elevations. Most often recorderd from Yehliao.
Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus
Scarce migrant. Trip: Anmashan; 20+ in one flock (26/9/97).
Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris
Trip: Anmashan; 2 (26/9/97). Kukuan; common. Wushe; 20+ (29/9/97). Chiphen; 4 (3/10/97). Hsitou; 20 (6/10/97).
Tiger Shrike Lanius tigrinus
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus
Vagrant.
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
Trip: Widespread. A few seen almost daily. Commonest in open areas of the east coast.
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach
Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius sphenocercus
Vagrant.
Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
Japanese Waxwing Bombycilla japonica
Vagrant.
Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii
Trip: Pasienshan; 3 (27/9/97) where the road first crosses the river.
Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius
Trip: Kukuan; 2 (27/9/97). Wushe; 2 (29/9/97) en route. Lanyu; up to 30 daily (30/9-2/10/97). Yelhioa; 4 (8/10/97).
Taiwan Whistling-Thrush Myiophoneus insularis
Taiwan endemic. Common along streams from sea-level to 2,000 m. Easily heard and seen early morning. Kukuan, Pasienshan, Yehliao, Chiphen, Fuyuan, Taroko Gorge, Anmashan, Wushe, Wulai, Kenting etc. Trip: Kukuan; 10+ (27/9, 5/10/97) river below town. Pasienshan; 2+ (27/9/97). Wushe; 2 (29/9/97). Chiphen; 3 (3/10/97). Hsitou; 2 (6/10/97).
Siberian Thrush Zoothera sibirica
Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma
Trip: Wushe; 1 (29/9/97) in forest by the lake.
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum
Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis
Vagrant.
Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula
Taiwan Thrush Turdus niveiceps
Uncommon in forested areas of high altitude.
Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus
One of the more common winter visitors, preferring wooded areas, parkland and edges of rice paddies.
Brown-headed Thrush Turdus chrysolaus
Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni
Common winter visitor. Found in open areas, rice paddies etc.
Taiwan Shortwing Brachypteryx (montana) goodfellowi
Taiwan endemic form goodfellowi is a potential split. Difficult to see, but easily heard at Anmashan, Wushe, Tsuifeng and Lalashan. Trip: Anmashan; 2 (26/9/97). One eventually seen with tape playback.
Red-billed Starling Sturnus sericeus
Daurian Starling Sturnus sturninus
Chestnut-cheeked Starling Sturnus philippensis
Rare migrant. Trip: Lanyu; 4 (2/10/97).
White-shouldered Starling Sturnus sinensis
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
White-cheeked Starling Sturnus cineraceus
Trip: Kuantu; 5 (8/10/97).
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus
Trip: Chiphen; 2 (3/10/97) around paddies en route. Kuantu; 6 (7-8/10/97).
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta
Trip: Lanyu; 25+ (29/9-2/10/97).
Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica
Trip: Lanyu; 2 (1/10/97).
Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea
Common summer breeder at mid elevations. Trip: Anmashan; 20+ (25-26/9/97). Pasienshan; 6 (27/9/797). Tsuifeng; 2 (28/9/97).
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia
Vagrant.
Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina
Vagrant.
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki
Vagrant.
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana
Rare migrant.
Taiwan Vivid Niltava Niltava vivida
Common at mid elevations. Anmashan, Lalashan, Tsuifeng, Wushe. Trip: Anmashan; 1 (26/9/97). Pasienshan; 1 (5/10/97)
Grey-headed Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
Japanese Robin Erithacus akahige
Vagrant.
Ryukyu Robin Erithacus komadori
Vagrant.
Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane
Vagrant.
Orange-flanked Bush-Robin Tarsiger cyanurus
Taiwan Bush Robin Tarsiger (indicus) formasanus
The endemic formosanus form is split from the mainland forms. Common but secretive along forest trails at mid elevation. The best site appears to be the tunnel trail at Tayuling where regularly recorded. Also possible at Tsuifeng, Anmashan, and higher elevations around Kukuan. Beware the similarity between the females of this species and Collared Bush-Robin, as they can occur in the same forest. Collared Bush Robin has a less distinct eye-stripe and the undertail coverts are white (yellowish-brown in White-browed). Trip: Tayuling; 3+ (4/10/97) along the first part of the tunnel trail.
Collared Bush-Robin Tarsiger johnstoniae
Taiwan endemic. Common and easily seen at mid and high altitudes. Forest from 2000-3700 m. Hohuanshan, Tayuling, Anmashan are good spots. Trip: Anmashan; 2 (26/9/97) along Road 220. Tayuling; 20+ (2-4/10/97) in gardens/bushes along the road above town toward Mount Hohuan and along the tunnel trail.
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus
Plumbeous Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus
Trip: Kukuan; 30+ (27/9,4-5/10/97). Hsitou; 4+ (6/10/97).
White-tailed Robin Cinclidium leucurum
Common at mid elevations, usually seen on the forest trails. Anmashan, Tsuifeng, Lalashan, Wushe. Trip: Wushe; 3+ in forest around the lake. Highway 8; 4+ en route (3/10/97). Hsitou; 3 (5-6/10/97).
Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri
Trip: Pasienshan; 2 (27/9/97) where the road crosses the river.
Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea
Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka
Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea
This form is the highly distingtive ‘Siberian Nuthatch’. Trip: Anmashan; 12 (25-26/9/97). Tsuifeng; 2 (28/9/97). Tayuling; 10 (4/10/97).
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus
Trip: Common at Anmashan, Kukuan, Tayuling, Tsuifeng.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
Trip: 1 (3/10/97) en route.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Trip: Wushe; 2 (29/9/97). Lanyu; 50+ (30/9-2/10/97). Chiphen; 20 (3/10/97). Kuantu; 6 (7-8/10/97). Yelhiao; 2 (8/10/97).
Pacific Swallow Hirundo javanica
Trip: Kukuan; 50 (27/9/97). Tsuifeng; 20 (28/9/97). Chiphen; 20 (3/10/97). Kukuan/ Pasienshan; 20 (4-5/10/97).Hsitou; 10 (6/10/97).
Eastern Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Trip: Anmashan; 4 (25/9/97) en route. Kukuan; 10 (29/9/97). Tayuling; 10 (4/10/97). Kuantu; 3 (8/10/97).
Asian Martin Delichon dasypus
Trip: Kukuan; 20 (27/9/97). Tsuifeng; 10 (28/9/97). Wushe; 5 (29/9/97). Highway 8; 50+ (3/10/97) en route. Tayuling; 20 (4/10/97).
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Flamecrest Regulus goodfellowi
Taiwan endemic. Common and easy to find in any good stand of pines at the high elevations from 2,000 - 3,700 m. Tayuling, Hohuanshan, Anmashan. Trip: Mt. Hohuan; 3+ (29/9/97) in roadside pines high on the mountain. Tayuling; 10+ (3/10/97) along the tunnel trail.
Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques
Common at low to mid elevations. Kukuan, Pasienshan, Lalashan, and Wushe are good spots. Trip: Kukuan; 20+ (27/9/97). Wushe; 6 (29/9/97). Tayuling; 10 (3/10/97). Pasienshan; 10 (5/10/97).
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis
Trip: Widespread and common in the lowlands except the south-east.
Styan's Bulbul Pycnonotus taivanus
Taiwan endemic. Common in cities and plains in the east and south. Hualien, Taitung, Taroko Gorge, Kenting National Park, Chiphen etc. The distribution of the Taiwan Bulbul is the east coast south of Taroko Gorge. However, the Light-vented Bulbul is expanding its range and apparantly winning, pushing Styan’s Bulbul out of its original range. In the area of overlap, hybrids occur. Trip: Common with 50+ daily (29/9, 3/10/97) en route in the coastal lowlands from Taroko to Taitung.
Brown-eared Bulbul Ixos amaurotis
A speciality of Lanyu, where the endemic form is a common resident (also on Green Island). A migrant at Yehliao and has also been recorded on the east and southern coasts. Trip: Lanyu; 50+ daily (30/9-2/10/97).
Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Trip: Abundant at Tsuifeng, Chiphen and Kukuan/Pasienshan.
Swinhoe's White-eye Zosterops simplex
Trip: Widespread and common, seen almost all days.
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Trip: Kuantu; 3 (7-8/10/97).
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
Less common than Zitting Cisticola.
Swinhoe's Prinia Prinia striata
Brown Prinia Prinia polychroa
Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata
Trip: Wushe; 2 (29/9/97) in farmland area by lake.
Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps
Rare migrant, but regularly recorded at Yehliao.
Manchurian Bush-Warbler Cettia canturians
Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler Cettia fortipes
Fairly common at mid and upper elevations, but not so easilly seen.
Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler Cettia acanthizoides
Fairly common at mid and upper elevations. Trip: Anmashan; A single (26/9/97) heard along road 230. Tayuling; 6+ (4/10/97) along the tunnel trail where easily seen.
Russet Bush-Warbler Bradypterus seebohmi
Common at mid and upper elevations, but skulking. Really requires a tape.
Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata
Vagrant.
Middendorff's Warbler Locustella ochotensis
Gray's Warbler Locustella fasciolata
Vagrant.
Black-browed Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps
Oriental Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus
Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus
Inornate Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus
Trip: Anmashan; 1 (26/9/97). Kukuan; 1 (5/10/97).
Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis
Trip: Pasienshan; 1 (27/9/97). Lanyu; 4 (1-2/10/97). Chiphen; 1 (3/10/97).
Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus tenellipes
Eastern Crowned-Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus
Vagrant.
Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis
Common at mid elevations. Anmashan, Lalashan, Wushe, Tsuifeng. Trip: Anmashan; 10 (26/9/97). Hsitou; 4 (6/10/97).
White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis
Rusty Laughingthrush Pterorhinus poecilorhynchus
Grey-sided Laughingthrush G. caerulatus and Rusty Laughingthrush were formerly considered conspecific. Rusty Laughingthrush is now the species ranging in southern China and Taiwan. Apparently common, but shy at mid elevations, staying well-hidden in the trees. Tsuifeng, Anmashan, Lalashan, Wushe. Trip: Anmashan; 3 (26/9/97) along Road 220.
Hwamei Garrulax canorus
Trip: Kukuan/Pasienshan: 4 (4-5/10/97).
Taiwan Laughingthrush Garrulax morrisonianus
Taiwan endemic. Occurs in dwarf scrub and coniferous forests above 2000 m, but also very common on open grounds, roadsides, and around buildings at upper elevations. Anmashan, Hohuanshan, Tayuling. Trip: Anmashan; 2 (26/9/97) in the parking area around the accommodation. Mt. Hohuan; 3 (29/9/97) near the summit, and another en route (3/10/97). Tayuling; 10+ (3/10/97) along the tunnel trail and in gardens and farmland along the road above town to Mt. Hohuan.
Taiwan Liocichla Liocichla steerii
Taiwan endemic. Very common at mid elevations from 1,000 - 2,800 m. At Hsitou they have become accustomed to the numerous tourists and are very easy to see. Anmashan, Tsuifeng, Lalashan, Wushe, Kukuan. Trip: Commonly recorded at all mid and high elevations. Seen on a total of 10 days, with max. 100+ at Hsitou (6/10/97).
Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis
Fairly common at low elevation forest, but elusive and shy. Wushe, Kukuan, Chiphen, Kenting. Trip: Chiphen; 2 (4/10/97). Even though quite noisy, difficult to locate - a tape would be advantageous.
Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Common at low to mid elevations. Wushe, Chipen, Kenting, Kukuan, Pasienshan. Trip: Kukuan; 4 (27/9, 4/10/97). Chiphen; 3 (3/10/97). Pasienshan; 4 (5/10/97).
Taiwan Pygmy Cupwing Pnoepyga (pusilla) formosana
The distinctive Taiwan form of the widepsread mainland bird. Trip: Hsitou; 4+ (6/10/97).
Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ruficeps
Common from low to high elevation, though another skulker. Trip: Anmashan; 2 (26/9/97). Kukuan; 20 (27/9, 4/10/97). Tsuifeng; 30 (28/9/97). Chiphen; 4+ (3/10/97). Pasienshan; 20 (5/10/97). Hsitou; 50 (6/10/97).
Taiwan Barwing Actinodura morrisoniana
Taiwan endemic. Uncommon forest species of mid elevations. Found in small flocks in broadleaf or mixed coniferous-broadleaf forests from 1500 to 2700 m. Often feeds like a nuthatch hanging onto the ends of branches and clinging to trunks. Anmashan, Tsuifeng, Hsitou. Trip: Tsuifeng; 1 (28/9/97). Hsitou; 6+ (6/10/97), mostly in pines.
Streak-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinereiceps
Common in high elevations. Anmashan, Hohuanshan, Tayuling. Trip: Anmashan; 2 (26/9/97). Tayuling; 10 (4/10/97) tunnel trail.
Dusky Fulvetta Schoeniparus brunneus
Common at low and mid elevations, but skulking. Trip: Hsitou; 2 (5/10/97). Kukuan; 6+ (6/10/97) along the road at 3.6 km above town.
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe morrisonia
Trip: Very common at Kukuan, Tsuifeng, Ciphen, Pasienshan and Hsitou.
White-eared Sibia Heterophasia auricularis
Taiwan endemic. Common in broadleaf forest below 2500 m. Descends in winter. Trip: Anmashan; 20+ (26/9/97). Tsuifeng; 10 (28/9/97). Wushe; 10 (29/9/97). Hsitou; 4 (6/10/97).
Taiwan Yuhina Yuhina brunneiceps
Taiwan endemic. Very common at mid elevations. Occurs in broadleaf, coniferous and mixed forests of mid and upper elevations. Active and noisy. An altitudinal migrant, descending in winter to broadleaf forests as low as a few hundred metres elevation, such as Wulai. Trip: Commonly recorded at Anmashan, Kukuan, Pasienshan, Tayuling, Tsuifeng, Wushe, with max. 50+ daily.
White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina zantholeuca
Trip: Pasienshan; 3 (5/10/97).
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus
Locally common in plains and low elevations. Try Kuantu, Lanyan River Estuary (in the grass), roadsides at Wushe.
Golden Parrotbill Paradoxornis verreauxi
Uncommon species of upper elevations. Hohuanshan, Tayuling, Anmashan.
Coal Tit Parus ater
Trip: Anmashan; 1 (26/9/97). Tayuling; 4 (4/10/97).
Great Tit Parus major
Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus
Trip: Anmashan; 30 (26/9/97). Kukuan/Pasienshan; 20+ (27/9/97). Tsuifeng; 10 (28/9/97). Tayuling; 2 (4/10/97). Hsitou; 3 (5-6/10/97). Yanmingshan; 2 (6/10/97).
Yellow Tit Parus holsti
Taiwan endemic. Uncommon at mid elevations, up to 2,000 m. Often associates with mixed feeding flocks. Tsuifeng, Anmashan, Lalashan, Pasienshan. Trip: Tsuifeng; One bird (28/9/97) was the only record.
Varied Tit Parus varius
Very local, but common at known localities. Wulai, Pasienshan, and Fushan are good sites. Trip: Kukuan; 10 (27/9/97). Pasienshan; 30 (5/10/97).
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus
Vagrant.
Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula
Russet Sparrow Passer cinnamomeus
Eurasian Tree-Sparrow Passer montanus
Trip: Widespread and common at lower elevations.
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata
Trip: Fairly common at lower and mid elevations.
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca
Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora
Introduced. Status not known to me.
Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Confusing status between this and the following species. The Taiwan book describes both alba and lugens, but the status of each is unclear (mainly as I do not read Chinese).
Black-backed Wagtail Motacilla lugens
See White Wagtail above. Trip: Kukuan; 4 (27/9, 4/10/97) along the river below town. Chiphen; 2 (4/10/97).
Japanese Wagtail Motacilla grandis
Vagrant.
Yellow-hooded Wagtail Motacilla citreola
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flavissima
Trip: Lanyu; 100+ daily (30/9-2/10/97).
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Trip: Widespread and fairly common along streams and rivers.
Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi
Trip: Lanyu; 2 (1/10/97) Anthus sp. presumed to be this species.
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris
Trip: Mount Hohuan; 3+ (4/10/97) in the parking area at the summit.
Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus
Trip: Anmashan; 2 (26/9/97). Tsuifeng; 2 (28/9/97). Wushe; 2 (29/9/97).
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Grey-capped Greenfinch Carduelis sinica
Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus
Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea
Dark-breasted Rosefinch Carpodacus nipalensis
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus
Vinaceous Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus
Common in open areas of high elevations. Tayuling, Hohuanshan, Anmashan. Trip: Anmashan; 3+ (26/9/97). Tsuifeng; 10 (28/9/97). Highway 8; a few en route. Tayuling; 20+ (4/10/97) in scattered places, mainly along the roadside.
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis
Uncommon at low and mid elevations. Prefers more dense forests than the Grey-headed Bullfinch. Kukuan, Pasienshan, Tsuifeng. Trip: Tsuifeng; 2 (28/9/97). This appears to be the most regular site for this species.
Grey-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca
Common at mid and high elevations. Often feeds on the ground in open areas. Hohuanshan, Tayuling, Anmashan, Lalashan, Tsuifeng. Trip: Anmashan; 2 (26/9/97). Tsuifeng; 10 (28/9/97). Tayuling; 10 (4/10/97).
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Yellow-billed Grosbeak Eophona migratoria
Japanese Grosbeak Eophona personata
Vagrant.
Crested Bunting Melophus lathami
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides
Vagrant.
Tristram's Bunting Emberiza tristrami
Rare migrant.
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
Yellow-browed Bunting Emberiza chrysophrys
Rare migrant.
Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica
Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans
Rare migrant.
Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola
Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila
Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala
Yellow Bunting Emberiza sulphurata
Rare migrant.
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala
Pallas' Bunting Emberiza pallasi
Vagrant.
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites.