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

Alpine Accentor

Black-browed Barbet

Black-naped Monarch

Black Bulbul

Black Drongo

Light-vented Bulbul

Picnonotus sinensis formosae

Endemic Subspecies

The Light-vented Bulbul is a medium-sized (19 cm), noisy, conspicuous bulbul with a black crown, a white nape stripe bordered posteriorly by a black band, a thick black moustachial stripe and a buffy auricular patch.  The back and wings are grayish with olive yellow highlights and edgings to the flight feathers;  the throat and undersides are white, separated by a grayish-brown, diffuse breast band.  The bill and legs are black.

Light-vented Bulbuls feed on berries, soft fruits and vegetables, as well as insects, which they sometimes capture in the air.  They are noisy and gregarious, forming large flocks in winter.  They make a wide variety of whistling, chattering and chirping calls.  In Taiwan their breeding season is from March to July.  The nest is cup-shaped, usually placed in the fork of a bush or hedge.  It is constructed mainly of coarse grasses, and may be lined with rootlets, fine grasses, leaves and flowers, as well as man-made materials such as pieces of cotton and paper.  Usually 3-4 eggs are laid.  The Light-vented Bulbul is a common resident of Taiwan from lowlands to about 500 m, preferring borders of cultivated areas, orchards, gardens, scrub and open woodland .  It is found throughout the island except on the south and east coasts, south of Taroko Gorge, where it is replaced by the closely related endemic species, Styan’s Bulbul.

References:  Handbook of Birds of the World Vol. 10; A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps)