Scheduled Tours

May 7-20, 2007

July 18-20, 2007 Tour for Chinese Crested Tern (Matsu Tern)

Nov 5-18, 2007

2003 Trip Photos

2004 Trip Photos

2005 Trip Photos

Trip Report:  BIRDING IN TAIWAN, FEB.24-26, 2006

Trip Report:  BIRDING IN TAIWAN, NOV.28-Dec.2, 2005

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, NOV.28-Dec.2, 2005

Trip Report:  BIRDING IN TAIWAN, NOV. 7-16, 2005

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, NOV. 7-16, 2005

Trip Report:  BIRDING IN TAIWAN, MAY. 2-11, 2005

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, MAY. 2-11, 2005

Trip Report:  BIRDING IN TAIWAN, MAY. 21-24, 2005

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, MAY. 21-24, 2005

Trip Report:  BIRDING IN TAIWAN, NOV. 8–17, 2004

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, NOV. 8–17, 2004

Taiwan Trip Report, March 21 – 28, 2003

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, March 21 – 28, 2003

Taiwan Trip Report, November 11-19, 2003

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, November 11–19, 2003

BirdingASIA -Birdwatching in Taiwan

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, November 7 – 16, 2005

Compiled by Jo Ann MacKenzie, International Taiwan Birding Association.         

Birding in Taiwan Leaders:  Simon Liao, Ten-Di Wu and Jo Ann MacKenzie

Printable Version

            Taxonomy, names and sequence follow Birds of the World, a Checklist, 5^th edition, 2000, by James F. Clements, updated to July, 2005.  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.

            “Shan”, pronounced ”sahn”, = “mountain;”  “tan” = “lake.”

            For itinerary, see TRIP REPORT: BIRDING IN TAIWAN, November 7–16, 2005.

Grebes

Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis [Podiceps ruficollis] – many in wetland habitats – Aougo; Hambao,           Tsengwen River estuary; Kwangtien jacana reserve.

Cormorants

Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo – many in appropriate habitat.

Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea – many in freshwater habitat.

Great Egret, Ardea alba [Egretta alba] – common in freshwater habitat.

Intermediate Egret, Egretta intermedia – fairly common in freshwater habitat.

Little Egret, Egretta garzetta – Abundant in both freshwater and saltwater habitats.

Chinese Pond Heron – Ardeola bacchus – 2, Huatan, Changhua County.

Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis – several in lowland habitat.

Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax – associated with freshwater habitats; abundant at         Puzih River.

Malayan Night-Heron [Tiger Bittern], Gorsachius melanolophus – 1, Wufeng area; 1, Chung Pu; 5, Taipei   Botanical Gardens.

Yellow Bittern [Chinese Little Bittern], Ixobrychus sinensis – 1, Yenshui River area; 2, Aougo Wetland.

Cinnamon Bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus – 1, Hambao; 1, Aougu Wetland; 1, Tsengwen River estuary.

Ibises and Spoonbills

Black-faced Spoonbill, Platalea minor – 9, Aougo wetland; 393 (official count on that day, Nov. 13),             Tsengwen River estuary.  Globally threatened.

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Eurasian Wigeon, Anas penelope – many in wetland habitats.

Gadwall, Anas strepera – 2, Aougo Wetland.

Eurasian Teal [Green-winged Teal], Anas crecca – many in wetland habitat.

Spot-billed Duck, Anas poecilorhyncha zonorhyncha – 20, Aougo Wetland.

Northern Pintail [Pintail], Anas acuta – 50, Aougo Wetland; Tsengwen River estuary.

Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata – Many in wetland habitat.

Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula – 25, Aougo Wetland.

Osprey

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus – 2, Aougo Wetland.

Hawks, Eagles and Kites

Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus caeruleus – 1, Hambao.

Oriental Honey-Buzzard [Honey Buzzard], Pernis ptilorhynchus [Pernis apivorus] – 1, Huisun Forest   Station; 1 enroute to Aowanda.

Crested Serpent-Eagle, Spilornis cheela – 1, Wufeng area; 1, Aougo wetland.

Eastern Marsh Harrier [Marsh Harrier], Circus spilonotus [Circus aeruginosus] – 1, Aougo Wetland.

Crested Goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus – 1, Huisun Forest Station; 1, on way to Aowanda; 1 A Li Shan.

Japanese Sparrowhawk [Japanese Lesser Sparrow Hawk], Accipiter gularis – 1, Wufeng area; 1, Huisun              Forest Station; 1, Blue Gate Trail #1.

Black Eagle [Indian Black Eagle], Ictinaetus malayensis – 2, A Li Shan National Scenic Area.

Falcons and Caracaras

Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus – Seen on 5 out of 9 days; total 7 birds.

Pheasants and Partridges

TAIWAN PARTRIDGE [TAIWAN HILL PARTRIDGE], Arborophila crudigularis – 1 seen by 1 Leader,             Aowanda Forest Recreation Area; 1 heard only, Ruiyan River Trail (Blue Gate Trail #2),  Meifeng            area.

Chinese Bamboo-Partridge [Bamboo Partridge], Bambusicola thoracica – Heard only, Huisun and             Meifeng.

SWINHOE’S PHEASANT, Lophura swinhoii – 1 Huisun Forest Station, Nov. 8; a male was heard calling at           Huisun early on the morning of Nov. 9; 4,  Beidongyan Shan; 3, Blue Gate Trail #1.

Rails, Gallinues and Coots

White-breasted Waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus – 2, Tsengwen River estuary.

Ruddy-breasted Crake, Porzana fusca – 1, Tsenweng River Estuary.

Common Moorhen [Moorhen], Gallinula chloropus – Common in marsh habitat.

Eurasian Coot [Coot], Fulica atra – small numbers in suitable habitat.

Jacanas

Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus – 6, Pheasant-tailed Jacana Restoration Area,             Kwangtien, Tainan County.  Very rare resident.

Painted-Snipes

Greater Painted-Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis – 15, Huatan fields.

Stilts and Avocets

Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus – many at Aougo Wetland and Tsengwen River.

Plovers and Lapwings

Northern Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus – 2, Hambao Wetland.

Pacific Golden-Plover [American Golden Plover], Pluvialis fulva [Pluvialis dominica] – Many in mudflats of        Aougo and Tsengwen River estuary.

Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola – 2, Yenshui River.

Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius – Many in appropriate mudflat habitat..

Snowy Plover [Kentish Plover], Charadrius alexandrinus – many at Hambao and Aougo Wetland.

Lesser Sandplover [Mongolian Plover], Charadrius mongolus – 3, Tsengwen River estuary.

Sandpipers and Allies

Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago – 15, Aougo Wetland; 20, Tsengwen River estuary.

Asian Dowitcher, Limnodromus semipalmatus – 2, Yenshui River.  Rare.

Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa – 60, Yenshui River.

Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica – 27, Tsengwen River.

Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata – 5, Tsengwen River.

Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus –  1, Yenshui River.

Common Redshank, Tringa totanus – 2, Aougo Wetland; many, Tsengwen River.

Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis – 1, Hambao; 4, Aougo Wetland; 50 Tsengwen River.

Common Greenshank [Greenshank], Tringa nebularia – 1, Hambao; 6, Aougo Wetland; many, Tsengwen         River.

Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus – 1, Kwangtien jacana reserve.

Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola – many in appropriate habitat.

Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos [Tringa hypoleucos] – 1, Hambao; 5, Auogo Wetland; 10,             Tsengwen River; 2, Chukuo village, Chaiyi County.

Great Knot, Calidris tenuirostris – 1, Yenshui River.

Red-necked Stint [Rufous-necked Stint], Calidris rufficollis – 6, Tsengwen River.

Long-toed Stint, Calidris subminuta – 200, Hambao.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminate – 80, Hambao; 2, Aougo; 3, Tsengwen River.

Dunlin, Calidris alpina – hundreds, Aougo Wetland, Tsengwen River.

Gulls

Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus – 1, Auogo Wetland; 2 Tsengwen River.

Saunders’ Gull, Larus saundersi –1, Tsengwen River.

Terns

Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia – 40, Tsengwen River estuary.

Pigeons and Doves

Rock Pigeon [Rock Dove], Columba livia – many in varied habitats.

Ashy Wood-Pigeon, Columba pulchricollis – small numbers in mountain habitat.

Oriental Turtle-Dove [Rufous Turtle-Dove], Streptopelia orientalis – 1, on the way to A Li Shan.

Red Collared-Dove [Red Turtle Dove], Streptopelia tranquebarica – seen almost every day, in various habitats.

Spotted Dove, Streptopelia chinensis – common in lowlands.

Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica – 1, by single observer, Huisun Forest Station.

White-bellied Pigeon [Japanese Green Pigeon], Treron sieboldii [Sphenurus sieboldi] – 1, Huisun Forest   Station; 22 on 2 days, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng.

Cuckoos

Lesser Coucal, Centropus bengalensis – 2, Aougo Wetland.

Typical Owls

Mountain Scops-Owl [Scops Owl], Otus spilocephalus – 1, Huisun Forest Station, after dark; heard only.

Collared Owlet [Collared Pygmy Owlet], Claucidium brodiei – 1, Huisun Forest Station, after dark; heard    only.

Northern Boobook [Brown Hwk-Owl], Ninox japonica [Ninox scutulata] – 1, Huisun Forest Station, at         dawn; heard only.

Swifts

House Swift, Apus nipalensis [Alpus affinis] – large numbers in open areas.

Kingfishers

Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis – Several in wetland habitats.

ROLLERS

Dollarbird [Broad-billed Roller], Eurystomus orientalis – 1, Yufeng area; 1, on the way to Huisun Forest   Station.

Barbets

Black-browed Barbet [Muller’s Barbet], Megalaima oorti – Daily, Huisun Forest Station to Meifeng; 4, A LI Shan.

Woodpeckers

Gray-capped Woodpecker [Gray-headed Pygmy Woodpecker], Dendrocopos canicapillus – 1, Huisun Forest Station; 3, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng; 4 A Li Shan.  

White-backed Woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos – 2, Huisun Forest Station.

Larks

Oriental Skylark, Alauda gulgula – 1, Kwantien; 5, Anping Harbor area, Tainan; 1 at highway rest area on the way from A Li Shan to Taipei, Nov. 15.         

Swallows

Plain Martin [Brown-throated Sand Martin], Riparia paludicola – several at low elevation.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica – common in lowlands.

Pacific Swallow, Hirundo tahitica – very common in lowlands.

Striated Swallow, Hirundo striolata – common in lowlands.  (See footnote ¹.)

Wagtails and Pipits

White Wagtail, Motacilla alba – 1, on the way to Huisun Forest Station

Black-backed Wagtail, Motacilla lugens – 2, Tonglin village area, Yufeng; 2, Chung Pu area; 1, Chukuo             area, Chiayi County.

Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava – Abundant at Hambao and Huatan. 

            (N.B:  It is possible that some may have been Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla tschutschensi, but         gray-and-white first winter birds are not identifiable as to species.)

Gray Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea – 1, Huisun Forest Station; others in appropriate lower elevation habitat.

Richard’s Pipit, Anthus richardi [Anthus novaeseelandiae] – 4, Hambao..

Red-throated Pipit, Anthus rubescens – 3, Hambao; 1, Aougo Wetland.

American Pipit [Water Pipit], Anathus rubescens [Anthus spinoletta] – 3, Hambao; 1, Aougo Wetland.

CUCKOO-SHRIKES

Gray-chinned Minivet [Yellow-throated Minivet], Pericrocotus solaris – fairly common in appropriate       habitat; mostly mid-elevation.

BULBULS

Collared Finchbill, Spizixos semitorques – 5, Chukuo village, Chiayi County.

Light-vented Bulbul [Chinese Bulbul], Pycnonotus sinensis – abundant almost everywhere.

Black Bulbul, Hypsipetes leucocephalus [H. madagascariensis] – common in wooded habitats.

KINGLETS

FLAMECREST [TAIWAN FIRECREST], Regulus goodfellowi – 4, A Li Shan (1, Tataka Recreation area; 3 Chaoping Park).

ACCENTORS

Alpine Accentor, Prunella collaris – 8, Hehuan Shan, Taroko National Park; 3, Tataka Recreation Area,    Yushan National Park.

THRUSHES

Blue Rock-Thrush, Monticola solitarius – 1, Chingjing.

FORMOSAN WHISTLING-THRUSH [Taiwan Whistling-thrush], Myophonus insularis – 1, Aowanda.

Scaly Thrush [White’s Ground Thrush], Zoothera dauma [Turdus dauma] – 1, Beidongyan Shan

White-browed Shortwing [Blue Shortwing], Brachypteryx montana – 1, Blue Gate Trail #2, Meifeng.           Heard by all, but seen by 1 person.

CISTICOLAS AND ALLIES

Zitting Cisticola [Fan-tailed Warbler], Cisticola juncidis – 6, Huatan; 1, Chukuo.

Yellow-bellied Prinia, Prinia flaviventris – fairly common in low wetland habitat.

Plain Prinia [Tawny-flanked Prinia], Prinia inornata [Prinia subflava] – fairly common in low wetland             habitat.

OLD WORLD WARBLERS

Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler [Verreaux’s Bush Warbler], Cettia acanthizoides – 6, Blue Gate Trails,   Meifeng; 3, A Li Shan.

TAIWAN BUSH-WARBLER, Bradypterus alishanensis – 1, Tataka Recreation Area, Yushan National Park,    heard only, by 1 Leader.

Dusky Warbler, Phylloscoopus fuscatus – 1, Yufeng area.

Oriental Reed-Warbler, Acrocephalus orientalis – 1, Yenshui River.

Rufous-faced Warbler [White-throated Flycatcher Warbler], Abroscopus albogularis – 8, Blue Gate     Trails, Meifeng.

OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS

Snowy-browed Flycatcher [Thicket Flycatcher], Ficedula hyperythra – 4, single observer, Blue Gate Trail          #1, Meifeng, Nov. 11.

Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana – 1, single observer, Huisun Forest Station.

White-browed Bush-Robin, Tarsiger indicus [Erithacus indicus] – 1, Hehuan Shan, Nov. 10.

COLLARED BUSH-ROBIN, Tarsiger johnstoniae [Erithacus johnstoniae] – 5, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng; 9, A    Li Shan.

Daurian Redstart, Phoenicurus auroreus – 3, Huisun Forest Station; 2, Aowanda; 4, Chingching; 1,             Hambao; 3, A Li Shan.

Plumbeous Redstart [Plumbeous Water Redstart], Rhyacornis fuliginosus [Phoenicurus fulginosus] – 4, Auwanda National Forest Recreation Area.

MONARCH FLYCATCHERS

Black-naped Monarch [Black-naped Blue Monarch], Hypothymis azurea – 10, Yufeng area; 1, Chung Pu         area.

BABBLERS

WHITE-WHISKERED LAUGHINGTHRUSH [TAIWAN LAUGHING THRUSH], Garrulax morrisonianus – 1,        Hehuan Shan; 8, A Li Shan.

STEERE’S LIOCICHLA, Liocichla steerii – 29, Meifeng area (some in scrubby growth beside our hotel,    Chingjing Resort); 17, A Li Shan.

Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler [Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler], Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis             [Pomatorhinus erythrogenys] – 1 seen when surprised and flushed at Huisun; several others heard    only, in mountain habitat.

Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis – 7, Yufeng area; 1 heard, Huisun.

Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Pnoepyga pusilla – 1, heard only at the “Couple Trees”, Yushan Highway, A Li Shan.

Rufous-capped Babbler [Red-headed Tree Babbler], Stachyris ruficeps – 1 seen, Yufeng; 2 seen, A Li      Shan; 3 others, heard only.

TAIWAN BARWING, Actinodura morrisoniana – 9, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng.

Streak-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe cinereiceps – 9, A Li Shan.

Gray-cheeked Fulvetta, Alcippe morrisonia – Fairly common, mid- to high elevation.

WHITE-EARED SIBIA [TAIWAN SIBIA], Heterophasia auricularis – many, Meifeng area.

TAIWAN YUHINA, Yuhina brunneiceps – many, Blue Gate Trails and A Li Shan.

White-bellied Yuhina, Yuhina zantholeuca – 1, Yufeng area; 10 Huisun Forest Station.

PARROTBILLS

Golden Parrotbill [Blythe’s Parrotbill], Paradoxornis verreauxi [Paradoxornis nipalensis] – a rapidly moving feeding flock of at least 60, Tataka Recreation Area, Yushan National Park.

CHICKADEES AND TITS

Black-throated Tit, Aegithalos concinnus – 40, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng; 10, A Li Shan.

Coal Tit, Periparus ater [Parus ater] – 5, A Li Shan, at Tataka Recreation Area and Chaoping Park.

Green-backed Tit, Parus monticolus – 21, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng; 1, A Li Shan.

YELLOW TIT [TAIWAN TIT], Macholophys holsti [Parus holsti] – 4, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng.

Varied Tit, Sittiparus varius [Parus varius] – 2, Huisun Forest Station; 3, A Li Shan.

NUTHATCHES

Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea – 12, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng.

FLOWERPECKERS

Plain Flowerpecker, Dicaeum concolor – 2, Aowanda.

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Dicaeum ignipectus – Several, Huisun, Auwanda, and Blue Gate Trails.

WHITE-EYES

Japanese White-eye, Zosterops japonicus – very common everywhere except highest elevation.

OLD WORLD ORIOLES

Maroon Oriole, Oriolus trailii – 1, Huisun Forest Station, Leader only.

SHRIKES

Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus – 1, Yufeng area; 3, Huatan; 2, Chiku area.

Long-tailed Shrike [Black-headed Shrike], Lanius schach – 11, lowland habitast.

DRONGOS

Black Drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus – common at low elevation.

CROWS, JAYS AND MAGPIES.

Eurasian Jay [Jay], Garrulus glandarius – 11, Blue Gate Trails, Meifeng.

FORMOSAN MAGPIE [TAIWAN BLUE MAGPIE], Urocissa caerulea – 1, Yufeng area; 11, Huisun Forest   Station.

Gray Treepie [Himalayan Tree Pie], Dendrocitta formosae – 4, Yufeng area; 18, Huisun Forest Station; 2,         A Li Shan.

Eurasian Magpie [Magpie], Pica pica – 10, Yufeng area; 2, Aougo Wetlands; 5, Chiku area.

Eurasian Nutcracker [Nutcracker}, Nucifraga caryocatactes – 5, Auwanda; 1 Blue Gate Trail #1, Meifeng.

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.

White-rumped Munia, Lonchura striata – 10, Huatan.

Nutmeg Mannikin, Lonchura punctulata – common in grassy, scrubby habitats at low elevation.

Yellow Bunting [Japanese Yellow Bunting], Emberiza sulphurata – 2, Huatan. 

Black-faced Bunting, Emberiza spodocephala – 20, Huatan. 

SISKINS, CROSSBILLS AND ALLIES

Vinaceous Rosefinch, Carpodacus vinaceus – 1, Hehuan Shan; 3, A LI Shan

Oriental Greenfinch, Carduelis sinica – 5, Huatan.

Brown Bullfinch, Pyrrhula nipalensis – 15, single Observer, Blue Gate Trail, Meifeng.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow [Tree Sparrow], Passer montanus – abundant in towns.

Total species:  161 (including 2 escaped Common Myna);  148 seen by two or more participants, 6          heard only, 5 seen by only one participant, 2 observed only by a Leader.

Endemic species: 11 (of 15) seen, plus 1 seen by a Leader only, 1 heard by a Leader only.

Missed:  Mikado Pheasant, Styan’s Bulbul.

OTHER ANIMALS OBSERVED:

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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.

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For more information, please contact Simon Liao, in Taiwan, at:  birdsimon0624@yahoo.com.tw, or Jo Ann MacKenzie, in Canada, at: j.a.mackenzie@telus.net