Birds in Taiwan

Endemic Species

Collared Bush-Robin

Flamecrest

Formosan Magpie

Formosan Whistling-Thrush

Mikado Pheasant

Steere's Liocichla

Swinhoe's Pheasant

Taiwan Bush-Warbler

Taiwan Partridge

Taiwan Yuhina

White-eared Sibia

White-whiskered Laughingthrush

Yellow Tit

Endemic Sub-Species

Black-browed Barbet

Vinaceous Rosefinch

More Birds in Taiwan

Chinese Crested Tern

Japanese White-eye

Fairy Pitta

Black-faced Spoonbill

Steere’s Liocichla

Liocichla steerii

Endemic

            A medium-sized babbler.  Crown and nape gray, finely streaked with whitish; crescent-shaped yellow patch in front of eye; supercilium black underlined posteriorly with yellow shafted olive feathers, the yellow shafts continuing down the sides of the neck; neck and ear coverts olive.  Back olive-brown; rump gray; squared tail olive, with black subterminal band and narrow white tip; wings with chestnut secondaries, tipped dark gray; primaries black, edges yellow.   Throat and upper breast ashy gray; lower breast dull olive yellow, sides of body ashy gray; black vent scaled with bright yellow feather tips.  Sexes similar.  Iris, dark brown; bill, blackish; legs, olive-brown.

            Frequent in coniferous and deciduous forests on mountain slopes and hills at 900–2,500 m. 

            Keeps to undergrowth of broadleaf forests and orchards.  Remains in thick cover but often seen by roadside.  Found mostly in pairs or small flocks.  Food is mainly grasshoppers, locusts, caterpillars and earthworms; also eats fruits, berries, and seeds.

            Breeding season from March to July.  Nest usually placed in shrubs, bamboo, and tall grass.  Clutch size 2–3 eggs.  Pair bond lasts to non-breeding season.

            Steere’s Liocichla is a very common resident.

Reference:  Endemic Species of Taiwan, compiled by Greenland Ecology Conservation Association of R.O.C