White Wagtail(ocularis), 11/6/2012

This gray-backed White Wagtail, with the Scientific Name Motacilla alba ocularis, belongs to the ocularis subspecies under the main White Wagtail species with the Scientific Name Motacilla alba in general. According to the information on internet, the ocularis subspecies(the gray-backed White Wagtail) comes from Siberia.

There are many subspecies of White Wagtail in the world, all looking very much alike. In Taiwan, three subspecies have been spotted, i.e., the leucopsis, ocularis and lugens subspecies. Within these three subspecies, only the leucopsis subspecies bears no eyelines. The other two subspecies all bear eyelines. The leucopsis subspecies is black-backed, while the ocularis subspecies is gray-backed.

The above information are all from internet. If any information is wrong, please let me know.

Unfortunately I broke my camera on this day. I will temporarily suspend my birding activities until I buy another camera. Until then, so long for now. Thanks for visiting.



taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/6/2012









video recorded at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/6/2012

Chinese name:	灰背過眼線白鶺鴒
English name:	White Wagtail(gray backed)
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Motacilla alba, ocularis subspecies
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Motacillidae
Species status:	subspecies
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Most of them are winter migratory birds, and some are local birds in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds
Habitat:	Wetlands, wet farm fields, grasslands
Altitude:	Low to mid-altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone or in flock in wetlands, grasslands and wet farm fields.
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 19 cm long. The bird is mainly mixed black, gray and white. Eyeline is black. Forehead, face, throat, side neck, belly and undertail coverts are white. Breast is black. The front part of the head top is white, and the rear part is light grayish black. Rear neck and back are gray. Wing and tail are black, with white edges. There is a large white mark on the edges of primaries. They often flap their tail constantly. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in Siberia
Migration destinations:	Indo-China Peninsula, Taiwan, Philippines
Time photographed:	11/6/2012
Location found:	The riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Oriental Skylark, 11/6/2012

Oriental Skylark is categorized as common local species in Taiwan. It's mainly dark brown, which makes a perfect disguise on turfed grounds. At first glance, it looks like a Red-throated Pipit or Richard's Pipit. If you are new to birding, these birds could easily confuse you. According to information on internet, Oriental Skylarks often raise their crest and cry in the breeding season. They can fly strait up, maintain their height and cry at the same time.



Taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge of Taipei City, on 11/6/2012



Taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge of Taipei City, on 11/6/2012, this one never turned around.



Taken at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 6/12/2011, this one caught my attention by crying continuously.



video recorded at Wugu Wetland,on 6/12/2011

Chinese name:	小雲雀
English name:	Oriental Skylark, Small Skylark
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Alauda gulgula
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Alaudidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Taiwan local bird
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds
Habitat:	Grasslands, wastelands
Altitude:	Low altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone in grasslands or wastelands
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 15 cm long. The upperpart is mainly dark brown. Crest is dark brown. Eyebrow stripe is brownish white. Face is yellowish brown, with vertical thin dark brown lines. Eye is surrounded by grayish white. There is a C-shape grayish white mark on side neck, running upward and linking together with eyebrow stripe to form a big C shape. Wing and tail are dark brown, with wide brownish white edges. Throat is grayish white, with unapparent vertical thin dark brown lines. Breast is light yellowish brown, with vertical thin dark brown lines. Belly is grayish white. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in central Asia (including southern Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan), Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, western and northwestern China.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in southern Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Bangladesh, Myanmar, central or southern or southeastern China, Philippines, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	6/12/2011, 11/6/2012
Location found:	Wugu Wetland of New Taipei City; The riverside park under Huazhong Bridge of Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Red-throated Pipit, 11/6/2012

This also looks like a sparrow, both in color and size. On 11/6/2012, a birding friend told me there appeared a flock of Red-throated Pipits near the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, and said he could give me a ride. So we rode to the site, and found another birding friend already there taking pictures of the pipits. The pipits were eating like hell and would move away whenever we went near. I failed to take a close-up shot. I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures. Thanks for visiting.

They are categorized as common wintering birds or passage migrants in Taiwan, living on insects.



taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/6/2012



taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/6/2012



taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/6/2012

Chinese name:	赤喉鷚
English name:	Red-throated Pipit
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Anthus cervinus
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Motacillidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Winter migratory birds or passage migrants in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds
Habitat:	Wetlands, farm fields, grasslands
Altitude:	Low altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone in wetlands, farm fields and grasslands
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 15 cm long. Summer plumage: The upperpart is mainly dark brown. Eyebrow stripe is brownish white. Throat is reddish brown. Wing and tail are dark brown, with wide light yellowish brown edges. Belly is grayish white. Breast and flank are light yellowish brown, with vertical dark brown lines. Bill is blackish brown, with light yellowish brown lower beak and the lower part of the upper beak. Feet are yellowish brown. Winter plumage: The upperpart is near grayish brown. The lowepart is near grayish white. Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in northmost Europe, northmost Asia, Alaska, Canada, United States, as north as the artic circle.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in southern and central Europe, Middle East, central and northern Africa, central Asia, Indian Sub-continent, China, Mongolia, Korean Peninsula, Japan, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Mexico, etc.
Time photographed:	11/6/2012
Location found:	The riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Richard's Pipit, 11//5/2012

This is an extra finding when I was searching for European Starlings and White-cheeked Starlings at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge. Several Richard's Pipits were searching for foods on turf. They color and size are similar to sparrow's, which is a perfect disguise when they mix with sparrows. I didn't know its name when I took the photos.

They are categorized as uncommon wintering birds in Taiwan, living on insects. They can be found at low altitudes here in Taiwan, especially in western Taiwan. In Taipei area, they usually appear in riverside parks, and seldom appear in downtown parks. Their habitat coincides with Oriental Skylark and Red-throated Pipit. I apologize for the poor picture quality, Thanks for visiting.



taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/6/2012



taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/5/2012



taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/5/2012

Chinese name:	大花鷚
English name:	Richard's Pipit
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Anthus richardi
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Motacillidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Winter migratory birds in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Uncommon in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds
Habitat:	Wetlands, grasslands
Altitude:	Low altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone or in small flock in wetlands and grasslands
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 18 cm long. The upperpart is mainly yellowish brown. Eyebrow stripe is brownish white. Wing and tail are dark brown, with wide light yellowish brown edges. Throat, neck and belly are grayish white. Breast is light yellowish brown, with vertical dark brown lines. Bill is blackish brown, with light yellowish brown lower beak and the lower part of the upper beak. Feet are yellowish brown. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in Russia, Mongolia, China, eastern Kazakhstan, eastern Kyrgyzstan, northern North Korea.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in eastern and southern Indian Sub-continent, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	11/5/2012, 11/6/2012
Location found:	The riverside park under Huazhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Crested Myna, 11/5/2012

This myna is local to Taiwan and is called Taiwan Myna here. It's one of the rare Taiwan endemic subspecies and is listed as Class II, Rare and Valuable Species in Taiwan. Its habitats are threatened by the introduced Common Mynas and White-vented Mynas. According to my experience, they don't show up in city parks and can only be spotted in riverside parks in Taipei area. They would mix with other mynas.

The major difference between Crested Myna and Common Myna and White-vented Myna is the color of their bills. The bill of Crested Myna is white, but the bill of the other two are yellowish orange. The body of these three mynas are all black. They all appear in flock, usually searching for foods on grasslands.



taken at the riverside park near HuaZhong Bridge, Taipei City, on 11/5/2012



taken at the riverside park near HuaZhong Bridge, Taipei City, on 11/5/2012



taken at Wenshan District, Taipei City, on 5/7/2011



White-vented Myna v.s. Crested Myna video recorded at Wenshan District, Taipei City, on 5/7/2011

Chinese name:	八哥
English name:	Crested Myna
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Acridotheres cristatellus
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Sturnidae
Species status:	Taiwan endemic subspecies
Conservation status:	IUCN lists it as Least Concern, but Taiwan Council of Agriculture lists it as Class II, Rare and Valuable Species.
Migration status:	Taiwan local bird
Frequency of appearance:	Rare in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds, fruits
Habitat:	Grasslands, farm fields
Altitude:	Low altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear in flock in grasslands and farm fields.
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 26 cm long. The whole body is shining black, with white stains on both wings. Bill is milky white. There is a black crest on the base of the upper beak. Feet are yellowish orange. The edges of the undertail coverts are white. Summer Plumage: Winter Plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	China, Lao, Myanmar, Viet Nam, Taiwan, etc.
Migration destinations:
Time photographed:	5/7/2011, 11/5/2012
Location found:	Wenshan District of Taipei City, The riverside park near HuaZhong Bridge of Taipei City
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Superb Starling, 11/5/2012

A birding friend told me some starlings, including European Starling, White-cheeked Starling and Superb Starling, appeared at the riverside park near HuaZhong Bridge, Taipei City, on 11/5/2012. As I arrived at the site, I saw this Superb Starling mixed in a group of mynas. I used to see one Superb Starling in October 2012 in Taoyuan County and was amazed by its beautiful colors. Breeding in northeastern Africa, Superb Starlings are introduced birds in Taiwan.



taken at the riverside park near HuaZhong Bridge, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/5/2012



This one was taken at Taoyuan County on 10/13/2012 and was found as early as 2011.

Chinese name:	栗頭麗椋鳥
English name:	Superb Starling
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Lamprotornis superbus
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Sturnidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Introduced bird in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Rare in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, cereals, fruits, juicy fruits
Habitat:	Woods
Altitude:	Low altitude
Behavior:	Often appear in parks
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 18 cm long. Head is black. Breast, back and wing are mixed with shining blue and greenish blue. Belly is chestnut. One horizontal white stripe borders between breast and belly. Undertail coverts are white. Bill and feet are black. Summer Plumage: Winter Plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Northeastern Africa, including South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, etc.
Migration destinations:
Time photographed:	10/13/2012, 11/5/2012
Location found:	Taoyuan County, The riverside park near HuaZhong Bridge, Taipei City
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Black-headed Bunting, 11/2/2012

In May 2012, a male Black-headed Bunting appeared in Jinshan, New Taipei City. Since it's in breeding season, the bunting was in colorful breeding plumage with bright yellow covering its underpart and part of its head, very attractive. People said it's the first time the male Black-headed Bunting had ever been recorded in Taiwan. A lot of birding fans rushed to the site to take photos, immediately after the news spread out. I was not aware of the site, so I missed it that time.

Fortunately, in November 2012, another Black-headed Bunting appeared again in Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City. This time it's a female. Although the female plumage is not as colorful as the male's, it still attracted wave after wave of birding fans, since it's belong to vagrant or disoriented birds and hardly appeared in Taiwan. I had never seen so many birding fans jamming Wugu Wetland before.

Black-headed Buntings breed in the area from southeastern Europe to Middle East, and winter in southern Middle East, India and Nepal, with very few drifting into Southeast Asia and China. I guess this one is probably one of the few that were drifting into China.















female video recorded at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/2/2012

Chinese name:	黑頭鵐
English name:	Black-headed Bunting
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Emberiza melanocephala
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Emberizidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Disoriented bird
Frequency of appearance:	Rare in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds, cereals, juicy fruits
Habitat:	Short trees, farm fields
Altitude:	Low altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 17 cm long. Bill is gray. Feet are light yellowish brown. Summer Plumage: For males, head is black. The underpart is yellow without vertical lines. The upperpart is mainly grayish brown. Throat is yellow. There is a large area of half-moon shaped yellow mark on side neck running toward throat. Rump is yellow. The underpart is mixed with grayish white, gray and grayish brown. Winter Plumage: For males, head is dark brown. For females, the upperpart is mainly grayish brown. Wing and tail is darker. There are vertical dark brown stains on head, rear neck and back. Wing edges are grayish white. Rump is light yellowish brown. Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding in the area from southeastern Europe to Middle East, including Italy, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Iran, etc.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in southern Middle East, India, Nepal, etc., with very few drifting into southern and central Europe, northern Africa, Southeast Asia, China, Korean Peninsula, Japan, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	11/2/2012
Location found:	Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes: