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Endemic Species White-whiskered Laughingthrush
Yellow Tit
Endemic Sub-Species
Winter Wren
More Birds in Taiwan
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Eurasian Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes owstoni Endemic Subspecies
The Eurasian or Spotted Nutcracker is a medium-sized (33 cm) member of the crow family with a brown body, black cap, white streaks on the face and mantle, and white spots on the breast. The fairly short tail is black with white outer feathers, the wings are black and the rump and vent are white. The iris, bill and feet are black. Sexes are alike. Birds of the Taiwan subspecies owstoni are darker brown (sooty) and have less white spotting and streaking than mainland forms. The Eurasian Nutcracker is usually found alone or in pairs. It is particularly associated with pine forests, and feeds extensively on pine seeds as well as nuts. It will bury or hide nuts for use during the winter months. The Eurasian Nutcracker also eats insects, worms, eggs and young birds. The call of the Nutcracker is a dry, harsh "kraaaak kraaaak " or buzzy rattle, and it also produces a song consisting of whistles and clicks interspersed with calls of other species. In Taiwan the Eurasian Nutcracker is a common resident of high elevation temperate forests.
References: A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps); Birds of Europe (Lars Jonsson); 100 Common Birds of Taiwan (Wild Bird Society of Taipei); N. J. Collar, “Endemic subspecies of Taiwan birds—first impressions”, in Birding ASIA, Number 2, December 2004
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