Birds in Taiwan

Endemic Species

Collared Bush-Robin

Flamecrest

Formosan Magpie

Formosan Whistling-Thrush

Mikado Pheasant

Steere's Liocichla

Styan's Bulbul

Swinhoe's Pheasant

Taiwan Barwing

Taiwan Bush-Warbler

Taiwan Partridge

Taiwan Yuhina

White-eared Sibia

White-whiskered Laughingthrush

Yellow Tit

Endemic Sub-Species

Black-browed Barbet

Black-naped Monarch

Black Bulbul

Black Drongo

Black-throated Tit

Aegithalos concinnus

The Black-throated Tit is a very small (10 cm), active and elegant bird.  The crown and nape are rufous, bordered by a black mask.  The throat and chin are white, with a central black bib (giving the name “black-throated”).  The underparts are mostly white, with rufous flanks and a rufous band across the breast.  The back and wings are grey, the tail blackish with white edges.  A striking feature is the bright yellow iris.  Both sexes are similar.

The Black-throated Tit is common in open pine and broadleaf forest and second growth, above 1400 meters.  It is often found in large roaming flocks mixed with other species, feeding mostly on small insects and spiders.  It makes a variety of “psip-psip” notes, as well as low churring “chrr-chrr, trr-trr” and sibilant “si-si-si-si-li-u” notes.  The Black-throated Tit constructs a large, bag-like nest made of moss and lichens, which hangs from a tree branch like a stocking.  It is resident year-round in Taiwan.

References:  A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps); The Complete Guide to Birds in Taiwan (Jin-yuan Wang)