Birding In Taiwan

ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST, Taiwan, November 6–19, 2006

Compiled by Jo Ann MacKenzie, International Taiwan Birding Association.                                                                                   

Birding in Taiwan Leaders:  Simon Liao and Jo Ann MacKenzie

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

Place names

                                    “shan” = “mountain”                   “tan” = “lake”

Alishan:  Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

Blue Gate Trails:  Meifeng (Meifong) area           

Chihsang:  Chihsang city in northern Taitung County

Dasyueshan:  Dasyueshan (Tashueshan) National Forest Recreation Area

Inda Eco-farm:  private wildlife preserve in Pingtung County

Huatan:  farming area south of Changhua city

Lichia Trail:  near Chihpen (Jhihben)

Hsiaolaishan:  in Dasyueshan (Tashueshan) National Forest Recreation Area

Kending:  Kenting (Kenting) National Park

Long Luan Tan (Lungluantan): 175 hectare lake in Kending

Mt. Tahsueh Road:  on the way to Dasyueshan (Tashueshan) National Forest Recreation Area

Pachang River mouth:  north of Peimen city, Tainan County

Shihchou:  private forest in Alishan area

Sihcao:  Sihcao (Cihtao) Wildlife Preserve (wetland)

Taroko:  Taroko National Park

Tsengwen River estuary:  north of Tainan city

            For itinerary, see TRIP REPORT: BIRDING IN TAIWAN, November 6–19, 2006

Grebes

Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis [Podiceps ruficollis] – many in wetland habitats – Tainan-Chiku.

Horned Grebe, podiceps auritus – 1, Nov. 14, in the ferry basin, Lanyu Island.  Vagrant.

Cormorants

Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo – 11 at coastal sites.

Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea – 9 in freshwater habitat.

Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea – 1, Long Luan Tan, Kending.

Great Egret, Ardea alba – abundant in wetland habitat.

Intermediate Egret, Egretta intermedia – 11, Lanyu Island; 30, Tainan-Chiku wetland.

Little Egret, Egretta garzetta – Abundant in fields, riverbeds and other wetland habitat, including 1 dark     morph (Rare, 2^nd record for Taiwan) at Pachang River mouth, Nov.16.

Pacific Reef Heron [Eastern Reef Heron], Egretta sacra – 5, Lanyu Island.

Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis – many in lowland habitat.

Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax – 2, Sihcao.

Yellow Bittern [Chinese Little Bittern], Ixobrychus sinensis – 3, Tainan-Chiku wetland.

Ibises and Spoonbills

Black-faced Spoonbill, Platalea minor – 579, Tsengwen River estuary.  Globally threatened.

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Eurasian Wigeon, Anas penelope – 100, Tainan-Chiku wetland.

Gadwall, Anas strepera – 30, Tainan-Chiku wetland.

Eurasian Teal [Green-winged Teal] Anas crecca – 20, Tainan-Chiku wetland.

Mallard, Anas platyrhnchos – 2, Long Luan Tan, Kending.

Spot-billed Duck, Anas poecilorhyncha zonorhyncha – 4, Lanyu Island; 1, Big Wave Pond, Chihsang Park;    15, Long Luan Tan, Kending.  (Sometimes called Chinese Spotbill.  It lacks any red on the             bill; there are also plumage differences.  A. p. zonorhyncha is widespread over Palaearctic east      Asia.)

Garganey, Anas querquedula – Sihcao.

Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata – 30, Sihcao.

Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula – 20, Long Luan Tan, Kending.

Hawks, Eagles and Kites

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus – 2, Lanyu Island; 1, Pachang River.

Oriental Honey-Buzzard [Honey Buzzard], Pernis ptilorhynchus [Pernis apivorus] – 1, Inda Eco-Farm.

Black Kite, Milvus migrans – 5, Inda Eco-Farm

Crested Serpent-Eagle, Spilornis cheela – 1, on the way to Dasyueshan NFRA; 3, Lichia Trail; 2, Inda Eco-Farm; 2, Shihchou.

Crested Goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus – 1, on the way to Dasyueshan NFRA; 1, Blue Gate Trail #1; 2, Inda Eco-Farm.

Japanese Sparrowhawk [Japanese Lesser Sparrow Hawk], Accipiter gularis – 1, Chingjing; 1, Inda Eco-Farm.

Black Eagle [Indian Black Eagle], Ictinaetus malayensis – 1, Dasyueshan NFRA; 3, Lichia Trail; 1, Shihchou.

Mountain Hawk-Eagle [Hodgson’s Hawk Eagle], Spizaetus nipalensis – 1, over Blue Gate Trail #1.

Eurasian Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus – almost every day, total 20.  Common in winter.

Pheasants and Partridges

TAIWAN PARTRIDGE [TAIWAN HILL PARTRIDGE], Arborophila crudigularis – Heard on 5 mornings in mountain habitat; 1 seen at Shihchou.

Chinese Bamboo-Partridge [Bamboo Partridge], Bambusicola thoracica – Heard at Dashyushan, Blue Gate Trail #1, and Alishan; 1 seen at Beidongyenshan; 6 seen along Lichia Trail.   

SWINHOE’S PHEASANT, Lophura swinhoii – 1, Blue Gate Trail #1; 1, Beidongyenshan; 3, Alishan; 1,         Shihchou.

Mikado Pheasant, Syrmaticus Mikado – 1, Alishan, Nov. 17.

Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus – 9, Chihsang Park, Chihsang.

Barred Buttonquail, Turnix suscitator – 4, in brushy field at Huatan.

Rails, Gallinues and Coots

White-breasted Waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus – 2, Big Wave Pond, Chihsang; 5, Lanyu Island.

Ruddy-breasted Crake, Porzana fusca – 1, Big Wave Pond, Chihsang: 1, Huatan .

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

Eurasian Coot [Coot], Fulica atra – 1, Big Wave Pond, Chihsang; 1, Lanyu Island.

Painted-Snipes

Greater Painted-Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis – 3, in wet field, Huatan.

Stilts and Avocets

Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus – many at Long Luan Tan and Chiku wetland.

Plovers and Lapwings

Pacific Golden-Plover [American Golden Plover], Pluvialis fulva [Pluvialis dominica] – Many in mudflats of Chiku wetland and Pachang River.

Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola – 1, Chiku wetland; 2, Pachang River; 2, Taoyuan.

Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius – 4, Big Wave Pond, Chihsang; 10, Chiku wetland; 10, Pachang           River; 5, Pachang River.

Snowy Plover [Kentish Plover], Charadrius alexandrinus – 2, Big Wave Pond, Chihsang; 5, Lanyu Island; over 100 at Chiku wetland and Pachang River.

Lesser Sandplover [Mongolian Plover], Charadrius mongolus – many, Chiku wetland.

Sandpipers and Allies

Eurasian Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola – 1, Alishan, Nov. 17; 1, Shihchou, Nov. 18; both single-            observer sightings.  Rare winter visitor.

Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago – 1, wet field, Huatan.

Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata – 4, Lanyu Island; 2, Pachang River.

Common Redshank [Redshank], Tringa totanus – 4, Sihcao, Nov. 15; more than 50 at Pachang River.

Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis – 5, Sihcao.

Common Greenshank [Greenshank], Tringa nebularia – many in wetland habitat.

Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus – 1, on the beach at Taoyuan, near Taipei Taoyuan International Airport.

Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola – 5, Long Luan Tan, Kending; 1, wet field, Huatan.

Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos [Tringa hypoleucos] – 1, Dashyushan; 1, Big Wave Pond, Chihshang; 4, Lanyu Island; 1, Long Luan Tan, Kending; 1, wet garden plot at Taoyuan.

Red-necked Stint [Rufous-necked Stint], Calidris rufficollis – many in Sihcao and Chiku wetlands.

Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea – 2, Pachang River.

Dunlin, Calidris alpina – many at Cihtao and Pachang River.

GULLS

Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus – 20, Pachang River, Nov. 16.

Saunders’ Gull, Larus saundersi – 2, Chiku wetland; 5, Pachang River.

Terns

Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia – more than 100, Chiku wetland; 2, Pachang River.

Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybridus – more than 500, Pachang River, Nov. 16.

White-winged Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus – Pachang River.

Pigeons and Doves

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

Ashy Wood-Pigeon, Columba pulchricollis – 1, Dashyushan; more than 50, Blue Gate Trails, Nov. 10 and       11.

Oriental Turtle-Dove [Rufous Turtle-Dove], Streptopelia orientalis – 2, Chingjing area; 8, Chihpen area;   1, Lanyu Island; more than 50, Alishan.

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

Spotted Dove, Streptopelia chinensis – common in lowlands.

Philippine Cuckoo-Dove, Macropygia tenuirostris – 3 (leader only), Lanyu Island.

Emerald Dove, Chalocophaps indica – 2, Lichia Trail; 1, Lanyu Island.

White-bellied Pigeon [Japanese Green Pigeon], Treron sieboldii [Sphenurus sieboldi] – 35, Blue Gate Trails #1 and #2.

TYPICAL OWLS

Mountain Scops-Owl, Otus spilocephalus – 1, Km 23, Mt. Tahsueh Road.

Ryukyu Scops-Owl, Otus elegans botelensis – 2 seen, one in Hungtou village, another in the village outskirts; 3 others heard in the forest.  “Lanyu” Scops Owl; Fairly common subspecies endemic to Lanyu Island.

Collared Owlet [Collared Pygmy Owlet], Claucidium brodiei – 2, heard before dawn, Dashyushan.

Swifts

White-throated Needletail,   Hirundapus caudacutus – 3, Km 23, Mt.Tahsueh Road, Nov. 7;                                   3, Hsiaolaishan, Nov. 8; 12, seen well, flying over Highway14 at the entrance to Blue Gate Trail #1        on Nov. 11.

Fork-tail Swift [Northern White-rumped Swift], Apus pacificus – 3 in Taroko Gorge.

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

Kingfishers

Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis – 2, Chiku wetland, Nov. 15; 2, Pachang River, Nov. 16.

Barbets

Black-browed Barbet [Muller’s Barbet], Megalaima oorti nuchalis – Common; encountered almost daily except at highest elevations and on Lanyu Island.    

Woodpeckers

Gray-capped Woodpecker [Gray-headed Pygmy Woodpecker], Dendrocopos canicapillus – 1, Km. 23,             Mt. Tahsueh Road; 1, Dashyushan; 2, Inda Eco-farm, Nov. 15; 2, Shihchou, Nov. 18.

White-backed Woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos – 1 (leader only), Shihchou.

Larks

Oriental Skylark, Alauda gulgula – 1, field on the outskirts of Taitung; 4, Huatan fields.     

Swallows

Plain Martin [Brown-throated Sand Martin], Riparia paludicola – 6, Shihgang Dam; 5, Pachang River.

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.)

Asian Martin [House Martin], Delichon dasypus – 6, Dashyushan; 5, Taoyuan.

Wagtails and Pipits

White Wagtail, Motacilla alba – 1, Beidongyenshan; 2, Big Wave Pond, Chihshang; 3, Huatan fields, Nov. 18 (all ssp. leucopsis); 1 (ocularis), wet garden plot at Taoyuan, Nov. 19..

Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava – 1, Sihtao Preserve; more than 50, Huatan fields on Nov. 18. 

Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla tschutschensis – 2, Pachang River, Nov. 16; 1, Huatan fields, Nov. 18.

Gray Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea – 1, Dashyushan; 2, fields near Taitung; 2, Lanyu Island, Nov. 14.

Richard’s Pipit, Anthus richardi [Anthus novaeseelandiae] – 2, Big Wage Pond, Chihshang, Nov. 12; 1,         Taoyuan.

CUCKOO-SHRIKES

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

BULBULS

Collared Finchbill, Spizixos semitorques – 2, in scrub along the Mt. Tahsueh Road.

STYAN’S BULBUL [Taiwan Bulbul], Pycnonotu taivanus – Common in the lower parts of Taroko to Kending.  Endemic species restricted to the extreme east and south of Taiwan.

Light-vented Bulbul [Chinese Bulbul], Pycnonotus sinensis – abundant at low to mid-elevations almost   everywhere, except in Styan’s Bulbul habitat where small numbers may also be present.

Brown-eared Bulbul [Chestnut-eared Bulbul], Ixos amaurotis [Hyupsipetes amaurotis] – common on        Lanyu Island.

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

KINGLETS

FLAMECREST [TAIWAN FIRECREST], Regulus goodfellowi – 2, Hsiaolaishan; 10, in conifers behind the Visitor Center at Shiaofongkou (“Little Wind Gap”), Taroko.

WRENS

Winter Wren [Wren], Troglodytes troglodytes – 1 (heard only), Hehuanshan,Taroko.

ACCENTORS

Alpine Accentor, Prunella collaris – 12, Wuling, (“Big Wind”), Hehuanshan, Taroko; 3, “The Couple Trees”, Yushan National Park.

THRUSHES

Blue Rock-Thrush, Monticola solitarius – 1, Chihsang Park near Chihsang city, north of Taitung; 20 (19       philippensis, and 1 pandoo), Lanyu Island, Nov. 14 (M. s. pandoo is “Vagrant”); 1, Alishan. 

FORMOSAN WHISTLING-THRUSH [Taiwan Whistling-thrush], Myophonus insularis – 1 heard, Chingjing area;  3, mid-elevation in Taroko; 2 on the way to Alishan; 3, Shihchou.

Scaly Thrush [White’s Ground Thrush], Zoothera dauma [Turdus dauma] – 4, Trail 210, Dasyueshan; 2,  Alishan.

Island Thrush, Turdus poliocephalus [Turdus niveiceps] – 3, Dasyueshan.

Eyebrowed Thrush, Turdus obscurus – 7, Blue Trail #2, Meifeng.

Pale Thrush, Turdus pallidus – 4, Inda Eco-Farm; 1, Shihchou.

Dusky Thrush, Turdus naumanni – 1, “The Couple Trees,” Yushan National Park (ssp. eunomus), Nov. 17.

White-browed Shortwing [Blue Shortwing], Brachypteryx montana – 4, Blue Gate Trail #1, Meifeng (heard only); I, Tataka Recreation Area, Yushan National Park.   

CISTICOLAS AND ALLIES

Zitting Cisticola [Fan-tailed Warbler], Cisticola juncidis – 1 Long Luan Tan, Kending; 10, Huatan, brushy edges of fields.

Striated Prinia [BrownHill Warbler], Prinia criniger [Prinia plolychroa] – 3, Chingjing.

Yellow-bellied Prinia, Prinia flaviventris – 1, Chingjing; 2 Alishan.

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 – 2, Blue Gate Trail #1.

Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler [Verreaux’s Bush Warbler], Cettia acanthizoides – 6, along the Blue Gate Trails; 1, Hehuanshan; 5, Alishan.

TAIWAN BUSH-WARBLER, Bradypterus alishanensis – 2 (1 singing), Hsiaolaishan; 1, Lichia Trail.           

Yellow-browed Warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus – 4, Lichia Trail; 10, Inda Eco-Farm; 1, Shihchou.

Arctic Warbler, Phylloscopus borealis – 1, Lichia Trail; 3 Inda Eco-Farm.

Rufous-faced Warbler [White-throated Flycatcher Warbler], Abroscopus albogularis – 52 in various mountain habitats.

OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS

Siberian Flycatcher [Sooty Flycatcher], Muscicapa sibirica – 1, along the road after leaving Dasyueshan,     Nov. 9.

Asian Brown Flycatcher [Brown Flycatcher], Muscicapa daurica [Muscicapa latirostris] – 2, Inda Eco-     farm, Nov. 15.

Mugimaki Flycatcher, Ficedula mugimaki – 1, Km 23, Mt. Tahsueh Road; Nov. 7; 1, Shihchou,                  Nov. 18.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher [Thicket Flycatcher], Ficedula hyperythra – 1, Shihchou, Nov. 18.

Vivid Niltava, Niltava vivida – 1, Km 23, Mt. Tahsueh Road; 12, Km 23, Mt. Tahsueh Road; 5, Blue Gate     Trails; 3, Shihchou. 

Siberian Rubythroat, Luscinia calliope – 2, in scrubby vegetation, Chingjing Resort, Chingjng.

Red-flanked Bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus – 1, Blue Gate Trail #1.

COLLARED BUSH-ROBIN, Tarsiger johnstoniae [Erithacus johnstoniae] – 6, Trail 210, Dasyueshan; 4, Blue Gate Trail #1; 3, Shihchou.

Daurian Redstart, Phoenicurus auroreus – 26, mainly in mountain habitats.

Plumbeous Redstart [Plumbeous Water Redstart], Rhyacornis fuliginosus [Phoenicurus fulginosus] – 1, Hehuanshan stream.

White-tailed Robin [White-tailed Blue Robin], Cinclidium leucurum – 3, Shihchou.

MONARCH FLYCATCHERS

Black-naped Monarch [Black-naped Blue Monarch], Hypothymis azurea – 2, Lichia Trail; 4, Inda Eco-farm; 3, Alishan.

Japanese Paradise-Flycatcher, Terpsiphone atrocaudata – 1(single observer), Lanyu Island forest.

BABBLERS

White-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis – 3, Lichia Trail.

Rusty Laughingthrush [Gray-sided Laughing Thrush], Garrulax poeciloryhnchus [Garrolax caerulatus] – 5, Dasyueshan.

Hwamei, Garrulax canorus taewanus – 2, km 15, Lichia Trail.

WHITE-WHISKERED LAUGHINGTHRUSH [TAIWAN LAUGHING THRUSH], Garrulax morrisonianus – 16,      Hsaiolaishan, Dasyueshan; 2, Tataka Recreation Area, Yushan National Park; 20, Alishan.

STEERE’S LIOCICHLA, Liocichla steerii – over 100 in high mountain habitats.

Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler [Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler], Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis             [Pomatorhinus erythrogenys] – 3 (heard only), Blue Gate Trails.

Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis – 6, Lichia Trail.

Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Pnoepyga pusilla – 2, (one bathing in puddle on the trail) Trail 210, Dasyueshan;                 1, Shihchou; 3 others heard in high mountain habitat.

Rufous-capped Babbler [Red-headed Tree Babbler], Stachyris ruficeps – 28 in mountain habitat.

TAIWAN BARWING, Actinodura morrisoniana – 13, Dasyueshan; 8, Blue Gate #1; 1, Alishan.

Streak-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe cinereiceps – 10, Dasyueshan; 2, Chingjing; 10, Alishan.

Dusky Fulvetta [Gould’s Fulvetta], Alcippe brunnea – 22, Shihchou.

Gray-cheeked Fulvetta, Alcippe morrisonia – 50; fairly common, mid- to high elevation.

WHITE-EARED SIBIA [TAIWAN SIBIA], Heterophasia auricularis – many, along Blue Gate Trails, Taroko, and Shihchou.

TAIWAN YUHINA, Yuhina brunneiceps – 95, in mountain habitat.

White-bellied Yuhina, Yuhina zantholeuca – 3, Blue Gate Trails; 3, Lichia Trail; 2, Alishan.

PARROTBILLS

Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis webbianus – 35, around Chingjing Resort, Chingjing.

Golden Parrotbill [Blythe’s Parrotbill], Paradoxornis verreauxi [Paradoxornis nipalensis] – 35 in a single flock, Hsiaolaishan.

CHICKADEES AND TITS

Black-throated Tit, Aegithalos concinnus – common in high mountain habitats.

Coal Tit, Periparus ater [Parus ater] –1, Hsiaolaishan; 5, in conifers behind the Visitor Center at Shiaofongkou (“Little Wind Gap”),Taroko.

Green-backed Tit, Parus monticolus – Fairly common in high mountain habitats.

YELLOW TIT [TAIWAN TIT], Macholophys holsti [Parus holsti] – 1, Km 23, Mt. Tahsueh Road; 4, Blue Gate Trail #1.

NUTHATCHES

Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea – 5, Blue Gate Trails.

FLOWERPECKERS

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Dicaeum ignipectus – 11, Blue Gate Trails.

WHITE-EYES

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

Lowland White-eye, Zosterops meyeni batanis – 40, Lanyu Island.  At this time, the status of the white-eye on Lanyu and Ludao (Green) Islands is not definitive.  To some authors, including those of the Chinese-language Field Guide to the Birds of Taiwan (1991) and Clements’ Birds of The World:  A Checklist (with updates to Dec. 2005), it is a sub-species of Zosterops japonicus.  Others consider it to be Zosterops meyeni batanis, variously called Lowland White-eye, Batan White-eye and Philippine White-eye.  The case for the latter scientific name is persuasive and we use it here.

OLD WORLD ORIOLES

Maroon Oriole, Oriolus trailii – 3, Lichia Trail.

SHRIKES

Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus – 32 in lowland habitats.  Migrant; common in winter.

Long-tailed Shrike [Black-headed Shrike], Lanius schach – 38, lowland habitats.

DRONGOS

Black Drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus – common at low elevation.

Bronzed Drongo, Dicrurus aeneus – 19 in mid- to high elevation habitats.

CROWS, JAYS AND MAGPIES.

Eurasian Jay [Jay], Garrulus glandarius – 52 in mountain habitats.

Gray Treepie [Himalayan Tree Pie], Dendrocitta formosae – Fairly common in mid-elevation habitats.

Eurasian Magpie [Magpie], Pica pica – 2, Chiku area; 4, Pachang River Mouth.

Eurasian Nutcracker [Nutcracker}, Nucifraga caryocatactes – 13 in high mountain habitats.

Large-billed Crow [Jungle Crow}, Corvus macrorhynchos – fairly common at mid- to high elevation.

MYNAS AND STARLINGS

Crested Myna, Acridotheres cristatellus – fairly common in open habitats at low elevation.

Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis – common in open lowland habitats.  Introduced.

White-shouldered Starling [Gray-backed Starling], Sturnia sinensis – 20, Chihpen wetland, Nov. 12;                    18, Inda Eco-farm, Nov. 15.

White-cheeked Starling [Gray Starling], Sturnus cineraceus – 4, Huatan fields, Nov. 18.

European Starling [Common Starling], Sturnus vulgaris – 3. Huatan fields, Nov. 18.

MUNIAS AND MANNIKINS

White-rumped Munia, Lonchura striata – 4, Mt. Tahsueh Road Area; 8, Lichia Trail; 10, in scrubby habitat on the way to Alishan.

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

SISKINS, CROSSBILLS AND ALLIES

Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla – 1, Hsiaolaishan, Nov. 8; 3, Alishan, Nov. 17.

Gray-headed Bullfinch [Beavan’s Bullfinch], Pyrrhula erythaca – 5, in trees behind the Visitor Center at           Shiaofongkou (“Little Wind Gap”), Taroko.

BUNTINGS, SPARROWS

Yellow Bunting [Japanese Yellow Bunting], Emberiza sulphurata – 2, Huatan fields, Nov. 18.

Black-faced Bunting, Emberiza spodocephala – 6, Chingjing area; 12, Huatan fields, Nov. 18.

OLD WORLD SPARROWS

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

Total species:  183*; 178 seen by two or more people, 2 heard only, 3 seen by only one person.

Endemic species: 14 (of 15) seen.  FORMOSAN MAGPIE was seen in Yangminshan National Park, Taipei, during a “pre-tour” day before the formal tour began, and is not included in this list.

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

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