Birding In Taiwan

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, May 2–11, 2005

Compiled by Jo Ann MacKenzie.

 Printable Version

Birding in Taiwan Leaders:  Simon Liao and Ten-Di Wu

            Taxonomy, names and sequence follow Birds of the World, a Checklist, 5^th edition, 2000, by James F. Clements, updated to July, 2004.  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.

            Notes:  Shan, pronounced sahn, = mountain; tan = lake, hsi = river.  Dar Hsi Choi (“Big stream; Old house”) is a farming area (rice, lotus) near Chiayi.

            For itinerary, see TRIP REPORT: BIRDING IN TAIWAN, May 2-11, 2005.

Grebes

Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis [Podiceps ruficollis] – many in wetland habitats – Hambao, Aougo       Wetland; Tsengwen River estuary; Kwangtien Wetland; Long Luan Tan in Kenting National Park.

Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea – 2, Aougo Wetland

Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea – 1, Pachang Hsi estuary

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

Intermediate Egret, Egretta intermedia – uncommon in freshwater habitat

Little Egret, Egretta garzetta – very common in both freshwater and saltwater habitats

Chinese Egret, Egretta eulophotes – rare, 1, Chiku area.  Listed as “Vulnerable” by BirdLife International.

Pacific Reef Heron [Eastern Reef-Heron], Egretta sacra – 1, May 3, single observer

Chinese Pond-Heron, Ardeola bacchus – 1, Kwantien Wetland; 2, Long Luan Tan, Kenting

Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis – many in lowland habitat, especially around farms

Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax – many, associated with freshwater habitats

Malayan Night-Heron [Tiger Bittern], Gorsachius melanolophus – 1, on nest, Wufeng area; 1, Mango       Valley

Yellow Bittern [Chinese Little Bittern], Ixobrychus sinensis – 1, Aougo wetland

Cinnamon Bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus – 1, Choshui Hsi; 1, Aougo wetland; 1, Kwantien wetland

Ibises and Spoonbills

Black-faced Spoonbill, Platalea minor – 1, May 3, Miaoli County; 9, west coast near Putai town.  Globally             threatened.

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchus – 2, Long Luan Tan

Spot-billed Duck, Anas poecilorhyncha – 2, Tachia Hsi, Ba Sian Shan; 30, Long Luan Tan, Kenting

Northern Pintail [Pintail], Anas acuta – 2, Aougo wetland

Hawks, Eagles and Kites

Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus caeruleus – Aougo wetland

Black Kite, Milvus migrans – Wufeng area

Crested Serpent-Eagle, Spilornis cheela – 16 in appropriate habitat

Crested Goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus – 3, Wufeng area; 1, Tsengwen Dam, 1, Tsongpu town area

Chinese Goshawk [Chinese Sparrow Hawk], Accipiter soloensis – 1, Tonglin area; 1, Aougo

Japanese Sparrowhawk [Japanese Lesser Sparrow Hawk], Accipiter virgatus – 1 Wufeng area; 1 An Ma          Shan

Black Eagle [Indian Black Eagle], Ictionaetus malayensis – 1, An Ma Shan

Greater Spotted Eagle, Aquila clanga – 1, An Ma Shan

Falcons and Caracaras

Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus – 1, Aougo; 1, Tsengwen Dam area

Pheasants and Partridges

TAIWAN PARTRIDGE [TAIWAN HILL PARTRIDGE], Arborophila crudigularis – 1, heard only; An Ma Shan,            Trail 210

Chinese Bamboo-Partridge [Bamboo Partridge], Bambusicola thoracica – 1 seen, Tsengwen Dam        area; 3 others heard only in appropriate habitat

Rails, Gallinues and Coots

White-breasted Waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus – 2, Auogo wetland; 2 Long Luan Tan, Kenting

Ruddy-breasted Crake, Porzana fusca – 4, Long Luan Tan, Kenting

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

Eurasian Coot [Coot], Fulica atra – 1, Long Luan Tan, Kenting

Jacanas

Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus – 3, Kwangtien

Painted-Snipes

Greater Painted-Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis – 2, Dar Hsi Choi

Stilts and Avocets

Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus – more than 100 each at Hambao, Aougo Wetland,and Chiku;            10, Long Luan Tan, Kenting

Plovers and Lapwings

Oriental Pratincole, Glareola maldivarum – 1, Lukang; 4, Choshui Hsi

Pacific Golden-Plover [American Golden Plover], Pluvialis fulva [Pluvialis dominica] – 3, Hambao; 2      Aougo Wetland

Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola – 1, Pachang Hsi estuary

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

Lesser Sandplover [Mongolian Plover], Charadrius mongolus – many at Hambao and Aougo Wetland

Greater Sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultia – 2, Aougo

Oriental Plover, Charadrius veredus – 1, Hambao; vagrant

Sandpipers and Allies

Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago – 2, Hambao

Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica – 1, Chiku; 1, Long Luan Tan, Kenting

Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata – 1, Pachang Hsi estuary

Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus – 10, near Putai

Common Redshank, Tringa totanus – 1, Hambao

Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis – 1, Hambao

Common Greenshank [Greenshank], Tringa nebularia – 1, Hambao; 20, Aougo Wetland; 12, Chiku; 1,     Long Luan Tan, Kenting

Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus – 1, Long Luan Tan, Kenting

Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola – 1, Aougo, leader only

Terek Sandpiper, Xenus cinereus – 1, Hambao; 2, Aougo Wetland; 1, Pachang Hsi estuary

Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos [Tringa hypoleucos] – 1, Hambao; 1, Chiku; 1, Long Luan Tan

Gray-tailed Tattler, Heterosceles brevipes [Tringa brevipes] – 2, Hambao; 3, Aougo; 2, Chiku

Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres – 6, Hambao; 6, Aougo; 3, Chiku

Sanderling, Calidris alba [Crocethia alba] – 3, Aougo; 2, Chiku

Red-necked Stint [Rufous-necked Stint], Calidris rufficollis – 2, Hambao; 2, Aougo Wetland; 1, Chiku; 1   Long Luan Tan

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminate – 15, Hambao; 10, Aougo

Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea – 2, Hambao; 20, Aougo

Dunlin, Calidris alpina – 10, Hambao

Terns

Great Crested Tern, Sterna bergii – 6, Chiku

Black-naped Tern, Sterna sumatrana – 2, Pachang Hsi

Little Tern, Sterna albifrons – 20, Aougo; 50, Pachang Hsi

Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybridus [Sterna hybrida] – 20, Hambao; 20, Aougo Wetland; 50 Chiku and     Pachang Hsi; 4, Long Luan Tan

White-winged Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus – 20, Hambao; 100+, Aougo Wetland; 25, Chiku

Pigeons and Doves

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

Ashy Wood-Pigeon, Columba pulchricollis – 4, An Ma Shan

Oriental Turtle-Dove [Rufous Turtle-Dove], Streptopelia orientalis – 4, Wufeng area

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

Spotted Dove, Streptopelia chinensis – common in lowlands.

White-bellied Pigeon [Japanese Green Pigeon], Treron sieboldii [Sphenurus sieboldi] – 6, An Ma Shan,            Trail 220

Cuckoos

Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Cuculus sparveroides – 2, An Ma Shan, Trail 210; 1 heard only, An Ma Shan

Oriental Cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus – 2, Wufeng area; heard only, An Ma Shan and Tsengwen Dam

Lesser Coucal, Centropus bengalensis – 3, Aougo Wetland

Typical Owls

Mountain Scops-Owl [Scops Owl], Otus spilocephalus – 1, Kwang Tselin hotspring

Collared Scops-Owl, Otus lettia [Otus bakkamoena] – 1, Kukwang

Oriental Scops-Owl [Scops Owl], Otis sunia [Otus scops] – 1 heard only, May 7

NIGHTJARS

Savanna Nightjar [Allied Nightjar], Caprimulgus affinis – 6, Choshui Hsi

Swifts

Silver-backed Needletail, Hirundapus cochinchinensis – 1, An Ma Shan, Trail 210

Fork-tailed Swift [Northern White-rumped Swift], Apus pacificus – 2, Wufeng area

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

Kingfishers

Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis – Several in wetland habitats

Black-capped Kingfisher, Halcyon pileata – 1, Lukang

ROLLERS

Dollarbird [Broad-billed Roller], Eurystomus orientalis – 1, heard only, Wufeng area; 1, Tsengwen Dam

Barbets

Black-browed Barbet [Muller’s Barbet], Megalaima oorti – almost daily

Woodpeckers

Gray-capped Woodpecker [Gray-headed Pygmy Woodpecker], Dendrocopos canicapillus – 1, Kukwang;          1, Mango Valley; 2, Tsengwen Dam; 1, Inda EcoFarm, Wanluan

Gray-faced Woodpecker [Gray-headed Green Woodpecker], Picus canus – 2, An Ma Shan, Trail 210

PITTAS

Fairy Pitta [Indian Pitta], Pitta Nympha [Pitta brachyura] – 1, heard only, Wufeng area; 3, Mango Valley; 1,           heard only, Inda EcoFarm, Wanluan

Larks

Oriental Skylark, Alauda gulgula – many in open field habitat

Swallows

Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia – 6, Hambao

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica – common in lowlands

Pacific Swallow, Hirundo tahitica – common in lowlands

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

Asian Martin [House Martin], Delichon dasypus – 3, Kukwang; 10, Aougo; 10, Tsengwen Dam

Wagtails and Pipits

White Wagtail, Motacilla alba – 1, May 3, single observer

Black-backed Wagtail, Motacilla lugens – 1, Ba Sian Shan Forest Recreation Area

Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava taivana – 1, Dar Hsi Choi

CUCKOO-SHRIKES

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

BULBULS

Collared Finchbill, Spizixos semitorques – 3, Wufeng area; 12, Kukwang-Basian Shan area; 1 Mango       Valley; 1, Tsengwen Dam; 6, Tsongpu town area

STYAN’S BULBUL [TAIWAN BULBUL], Pycnonotus taivanus – 20 in Kenting area

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

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

THRUSHES

FORMOSAN WHISTLING-THRUSH [Taiwan Whistling-thrush], Myophonus insularis – 1, Kukwang;             2, An Ma Shan;    1, Pachang Hsi; 2, Kwang Tselin; 1, Tsongpu town area; 2, Shihmen Dam

White-browed Shortwing [Blue Shortwing], Brachypteryx montana – 2, heard only, An Ma Shan, Trail 220

CISTICOLAS AND ALLIES

Zitting Cisticola [Fan-tailed Warbler], Cisticola juncidis – 6, Hambao; 1, Kwangtien; 1, Long Luan Tan,    Kenting; 6, Dar Hsi Choi

Golden-headed Cisticola [Gold-capped Cisticola], Cisticola exilis – 4, Choshui Hsi

Striated Prinia [Brown Hill Warbler], Prinia criniger [Prinia polychroa] – 1, A Li Shan

Yellow-bellied Prinia, Prinia flaviventris – 3, Aougo

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

OLD WORLD WARBLERS

Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler [Strong-footed Bush Warbler], Cettia fortipes – 3, Wufeng area

Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler [Verreaux’s Bush Warbler], Cettia acanthizoides – 1, May 5, Hsaio Xai            Shan, Trail 230

Dusky Warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus – 1, An Ma Shan

Yellow-browed Warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus – 1, Wufeng area

Rufous-faced Warbler [White-throated Flycatcher Warbler], Abroscopus albogularis – 2, An Ma           Shan, Trail 210

OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS

Gray-spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa griseisticta – 5, Wufeng area; 1, An Ma Shan; 1, Tsengwen Dam

Ferruginous Flycatcher, Muscicapa ferruginea – 2, An Ma Shan; 1, Mango Valley; 1, Tsengwen Dam

Vivid Niltava, Niltava vivida – 4, An Ma Shan; 1, Tsengwen Dam; 1, Tsongpu town area

COLLARED BUSH-ROBIN, Tarsiger johnstoniae [Erithacus johnstoniae] – 1, Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230

Plumbeous Redstart [Plumbeous Water Redstart], Rhyacornis fuliginosus [Phoenicurus fulginosus] – 3,             Tachia Hsi, Kukwang

White-tailed Robin [White-tailed Blue Robin], Cinclidium leucurum – 1, May 8, Tsengwen Dam

MONARCH FLYCATCHERS

Black-naped Monarch [Black-naped Blue Monarch], Hypothymis azurea – 2, An Ma Shan, Trail 210; 1, Mango Valley; 3, Tsongpu town area

BABBLERS

White-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis – 11, An Ma Shan

[Taiwan] Hwamei, Garrulax canorus taewanus – 2, Sarlien Lane, Kukwang area

WHITE-WHISKERED LAUGHINGTHRUSH [TAIWAN LAUGHING THRUSH], Garrulax morrisonianus – 7,    Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230

STEERE’S LIOCICHLA, Liocichla steerii – 13, An Ma Shan

Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis – 2, Sarlien Lane, Kukwang area; 1, Tsengwen            Dam area; 1, Tsongpu town area

Rufous-capped Babbler [Red-headed Tree Babbler], Stachyris ruficeps – 2, Wufeng area; 1, An Ma Shan;         2, Tsongpu town area

TAIWAN BARWING, Actinodura morrisoniana – 1, single observer, An Ma Shan, Trail 210

Dusky Fulvetta [Gould’s Fulvetta], Alcippe brunnea – 1, Mango Valley

Gray-cheeked Fulvetta, Alcippe morrisonia – 6, Wufeng area; 1, Tsengwen Dam; 1, Tsongpu town area

WHITE-EARED SIBIA [TAIWAN SIBIA], Heterophasia auricularis – 19, An Ma Shan

TAIWAN YUHINA, Yuhina brunneiceps – 40, An Ma Shan

White-bellied Yuhina, Yuhina zantholeuca – 1, Sarlien Lane, Kukwang area; 2, Tsengwen Dam area

PARROTBILLS

Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis webbianus – 2, Wufeng area; 2, Tsongpu town area

CHICKADEES AND TITS

Black-throated Tit [Red-headed Tit], Aegithalos concinnus – 10, An Ma Shan, Trail 210

Coal Tit, Periparus ater [Parus ater] – 1, Trail 230, Hsaio Xai Shan

Green-backed Tit, Parus monticolus – 4, An Ma Shan, Trail 210

Varied Tit, Sittiparus varius [Parus varius] – 1, Shaulai Train, Kukwang

NUTHATCHES

Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea – 5, An Ma Shan

FLOWERPECKERS

Plain Flowerpecker, Dicaeum concolor – 1, Tsengwen Dam

WHITE-EYES

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

OLD WORLD ORIOLES

Black-naped Oriole, Oriolus chinensis – 5, Inda Eco-Farm, Wanluan

Maroon Oriole, Oriolus trailii – 2, May 9, Tsongpu town area

SHRIKES

Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus – 26 in open lowland habitats.

Long-tailed Shrike [Black-headed Shrike], Lanius schach – 1, Wufeng area; 10, Hambao; 10, Aougo

DRONGOS

Black Drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus – common at low elevation.

Bronzed Drongo, Dicrurus aeneus – fairly common at mid-elevation

CROWS, JAYS AND MAGPIES.

Eurasian Jay [Jay], Garrulus glandarius – 3, An Ma Shan  Trail 210

FORMOSAN MAGPIE [TAIWAN BLUE MAGPIE], Urocissa caerulea – 6, Wufeng area; 4, An Ma Shan,      Trail 210; 2, Tsongpu town area

Gray Treepie [Himalayan Tree Pie], Dendrocitta formosae – 10, Wufeng area; 4, An Ma Shan, Trail 210;             10, Tsongpu town area

Eurasian Magpie [Magpie], Pica pica – 1, Wufeng area; 2, Dar Hsi Choi

Eurasian Nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes – 4, Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230

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

Red-billed Starling [Silky Starling], Sternus sericeus – 1 post-winter lingerer, Dar Hsi Choi

European Starling [Common Starling], Sturnus vulgaris – 1, Kenting area

White-rumped Munia, Lonchura striata – 10, Km 15 on way to An Ma Shan

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

SISKINS, CROSSBILLS AND ALLIES

Vinaceous Rosefinch, Carpodacus vinaceus – 3, An Ma Shan

Gray-headed Bullfinch [Beavan’s Bullfinch], Pyrrhula erythia – 3, An Ma Shan, Trail 210

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

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Total species:  162;  164 seen, including 9 of Taiwan’s 15 endemics; 1 species heard only

Missed:  Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Lophura swinhoii; Mikado Pheasant, Syrmaticus Mikado; FLAMECREST, Regulus goodfellowi; TAIWAN BUSH WARBLER, Bradypterus alishanensis; Yellow Tit, Macholophus holsti; TAIWAN PARTRIDGE, Arborophila crudigularis (heard only)

OTHER ANIMALS OBSERVED:

Taiwan Macaque [Formosan Rock-monkey], Macaca cyclopis – 1 on May 4; 6 on May 5; 2 on May 7

Red-bellied Squirrel, Calloscirus erythacus – 2 on May 5; 2 on May 7; 1 on May 9

Taiwan Serow, Naemorhedus swinhoei – Hsaio Xai Shan, Trail 230; 1 seen briefly on May 5

mudskipper sp. –  many on coastal mudflats.  There are at least 3 species of mudskipper in Taiwan.

small bat sp. – 200 on May 6

turtle sp. – 6 on May 9

snake sp. – 1 large snake was almost hit by the bus on May 9 in A Li Shan Forest Recreation Area

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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, contact:

Simon Liao, simonliao0624@yahoo.com.tw, Taiwan, or

Jo Ann Mackenzie, j.a.mackenzie@telus.net, Canada

International Taiwan Birding Association:  www.birdingintaiwan.com