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:

Japanese Quail, 11/2/2012

This one unexpectedly came into my sight when I was searching for birds along the mid-level trail at YehLiu GeoPark in the morning of November 1, 2012. It jumped down the trail from uphill first, walked slowly across the trail, and then disappeared into the woods downhill. It was so unexpected that I could only take two pictures of it, all without correct focus. Judging from its look, I knew its something I hadn't seen before. So I waited....waited.....and waited, but it didn't show up again. Later I met a senior birding friend and asked him what the name of the bird is. He told me it's Japanese Quail and asked me where I photographed the bird, with a surprised look. I gave him my answer and went to other places to search for birds. That afternoon when I went back to the place where I met the bird, it was jammed by well-equipped birding fans already, waiting for the Japanese Quail to show up again. I was unable to find a foothold to take photos.

Next day when I went back to the same place. It was again jammed with birding fans. I managed to squeeze through the crowd and took only two clear pictures. Those pictures were the best I could get that day. Hope you enjoy them. Have fun! Thanks for visiting.

Later for over one week, that bird had become the major target of birding fans coming from as far as southern Taiwan.



Raising Quails has long become a mature business in the world. For those breeding in Japan, the Quails are called Japanese Quails. There are many kinds of breeds in Japan, China and Taiwan. All of them are raised for only one purpose, i.e., to lay eggs. For those raised in Europe, the Quails are one of the meat sources.



It is said Quails are low fat, high protein and high vitamin food sources. Especially, they contain brain nourishing substances and lecithin, which are substantial nutrition for high level nuero-activities. Quails are also low in cholesterol, lower than chicken meat and egg.



video recorded at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/2/2012

Chinese name:	日本鵪鶉
English name:	Japanese Quail
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Coturnix japonica
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Near Threatened
Migration status:	Disoriented bird
Frequency of appearance:	Rare in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, cereals
Habitat:	Bushes, brushwoods, farm fields
Altitude:	Low altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone or in pair
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 20 cm long. Bill is gray. Feet are light yellowish brown. Tail is very short. At first glance, its upperpart is mainly dark brown, its underpart is mainly light yellowish brown, and it looks like there are several thin or wide white lines running from head top to tail and from breast to belly. When examined in detail, these thin or wide white lines are formed by a series of spear-like lines lined up one after another. Its rear neck, back and wings are covered with horizontal brown or black stains. Its underpart is covered with horizontal light brown stains as well. The stains near the throat is darker. For males, its face, cheek and throat are reddish brown. Its eyebrow stripe is white and is very long. And there are three vertical wide dark brown lines on its side neck. For females, its cheek and throat are grayish white. Summer Plumage: Winter Plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Southeastern Russia, northeastern China, northeastern Mongolia, Japan.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in India, Bhutan, southeastern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao, Viet Nam, Korean Peninsula, etc.
Time photographed:	11/2/2012
Location found:	YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Red-flanked Bluetail, 11/2/2012

As its name hints, the tail of Red-flanked Bluetail is blue. And For males, the face, back and tail are bright blue too. For females, the whole body is mainly olive-greened brown, which is plain and unattractive. This conforms to the fact that most males are more beautiful than females in the wild animal world, since males have to compete with other males in order to mate. This time the picture is not good either. Next time I will do my best to get the pictures clear and beautiful, if I have a chance.


female taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/2/2012

Chinese name:	藍尾鴝
English name:	Orange-flanked Bush-robin, Orange-flanked Bush-Robin, Red-flanked Bluetail
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Tarsiger cyanurus
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Muscicapidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Winter migratory birds or passage migrants in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Uncommon in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds, fruits
Habitat:	Woods, brushwoods, bushes
Altitude:	Low to mid-altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone in woods, brushwoods and bushes
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 14 cm long. Males and females look very different. They are common in white belly, orange flank and white throat. For males, the face, back and tail are bright blue. The eyebrow stripe is white. The breast is white mixed with light blue and light grayish brown. For females, the face, back and wing are mainly olive-greened brown. The breast is white mixed with light olive-greened brown. The color is light blue from rump down to tail. The eye frame is white. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Russia, northeastern China, northern Mongolia, northwestern Korean Peninsula, Japan.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in Indian Sub-continent, southern China, southwestern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao, Viet Nam, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	11/2/2012
Location found:	YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Asian Stubtail, 11/1/2012

This Asian Stubtail suddenly appeared while I was taking pictures of a Grey-backed Thrush. Since this is the first time I ever hear the name, you can imagine how bad I wanted to take a good picture of it. But the site was so dark that my photographing thing didn't go well. This dark-colored bird was moving fast in and out of the dark ground under the woods in search of foods, which made the bird looking almost like a black shadow. It's very hard to get the focus right. I was unable to take a clear picture that afternoon. So I went again next day, but the result was the same. I guess my technique and my camera both need to be upgraded. But I managed to record a short video which is not good either. If the video hurt your eye, I apologize.



video recorded at YehLiu GeoPark, on 11/1/2012

Chinese name:	短尾鶯
English name:	Asian Stubtail
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Urosphena squameiceps
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Sylviidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Winter migratory birds or passage migrants in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Rare in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects
Habitat:	Woods, brushwoods, bushes
Altitude:	Low altitude
Behavior:	Often appear alone in woods, brushwoods and bushes
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: Small, about 10 cm long. Tail is very short. It's mainly grayish brown, with the upperpart darker and the lowerpart lighter and whiter. Eyebrow stripe is milky yellow, long and clear. Eyeline is black. Cheek is grayish white, with thin dark brown stains. Throat is grayish white. Undertail covert is light grayish brown. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in a small portion of southeastern Russia, northeastern China, Korean Peninsula, Japan.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao, Viet Nam, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	11/1/2012
Location found:	YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Blue Rock Thrush, 11/1/2012

This is also a common visitor at YehLiu GeoPark. They are used to the presence of people and are easy targets to photograph too. They most frequently appear on reefs, although they also appear on roofs, windowsills and woods.

There are two subspecies of Blue Rock Thrush having been spotted here in Taiwan. One is the philippensis subspecies, which is red-bellied and is common wintering bird or passage migrant. Another one is the pandoo subspecies, which is blue-bellied and is categorized as disoriented or vagrant bird in Taiwan. The philippensis subspecies is easy to be found during Autumn, Winter or Spring, while the pandoo subspecies is very rare and only appears in Taiwan once per years.

A few Blue Rock Thrushes stay all year round and breed here in Taiwan.



male taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/1/2012



female taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/18/2012



female taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/18/2012



female taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/18/2012



female video recorded at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/18/2012

Chinese name:	藍磯鶇
English name:	Blue Rock Thrush
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Monticola solitarius, philippensis subspecies
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Muscicapidae
Species status:	Subspecies
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Most of them are either wintering birds or passage migrants during Autumn and Spring. Some are local birds, in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects
Habitat:	Reefs, woods, windowsills, railings, walls
Altitude:	Low to mid-altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone in Reefs, woods, windowsills, railings
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 21 cm long. For males of the philippensis subspecies, the color is mainly gemstone blue. Head, neck, back and breast are gemstone blue. Wing and tail are black, with light blue edges. The color is chestnut from breast down. For females of the philippensis subspecies, the color is mainly blueish gray. Head, face, neck and back are covered with brown stains, large or small. Breast and belly are covered with scaly grayish brown stains. Wing and tail are black, with grayish white edges. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in southern Europe, southeastern Europe, central Asia, China, Korean Peninsula, Japan.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in northern Africa(southern Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, etc.), southern Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Southeast Asia, Indo-Pacific Islands, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	10/18/2012, 11/1/2012
Location found:	YehLiu GeoPark of New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Daurian Redstart, 11/1/2012

Daurian Redstart is belong to uncommon wintering bird in Taiwan. They can be seen every year in YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City. They are used to the presence of people, which makes themselves easy targets for the birding fans to aim their cameras at. They can also be found, once or twice every year, in Taipei Botanical Garden or Da-an Forest Park, Taipei City. According to our observations, Daurian Redstart would chase Red-flanked Bluetail and Red-breasted Flycatcher away when competing for foods. Their food sources include insects, seeds and fruits.



female taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/1/2012



male taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/19/2012



male taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/18/2012



male taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/18/2012



female taken at Four Beast Mountain, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/26/2012



female taken at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/24/2011



male video recorded at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/19/2012



male video recorded at Taipei Botanical Garden, Taipei City, on 1/21/2012



female video recorded at YehLiu GeoPark, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 11/24/2011

Chinese name:	黃尾鴝
English name:	Daurian Redstart
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Phoenicurus auroreus
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Muscicapidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Winter migratory bird in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Uncommon in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects
Habitat:	Woodlands, brushwoods, forest parks
Altitude:	Low to mid-altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone or in flock in woodlands or brushwoods
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 15 cm long. For males, the color is silver gray from head top to back neck. Forehead, face, throat and back are black. Breast and belly are reddish orange. Undertail coverts are yellowish orange. There is a clear white mark on the wings. For females, the bird is mainly brown. The white mark on the wings is smaller. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in southeastern Russia, China(from northeast to southwest), northeastern Mongolia, Korean Peninsula.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in southern China, southeastern China, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao, Viet Nam, Taiwan, Japan, etc.
Time photographed:	11/24/2011, 10/18/2012, 10/19/2012, 10/26/2012, 11/1/2012
Location found:	Taipei Botanical Garden of Taipei City, YehLiu GeoPark of New Taipei City, Four Beast Mountain of Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

White Wagtail(leucopsis), 10/26/2012

The pictures below are all black-backed White Wagtails, with the Scientific Name Motacilla alba leucopsis, belonging to the leucopsis subspecies under the main White Wagtail species with the Scientific Name Motacilla alba in general. This subspecies is mainly mixed black and white, quite unique in Taiwan. They like to hang around in the stinky gutters in search of foods. The food sources there must be very attractive to them. In fact, they also search foods in farm fields or grasslands. In Taiwan, most of them are wintering birds, but some are local birds which stay all year round.

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.



taken at Four Beast Mountain, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/26/2012



taken at Four Beast Mountain, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/26/2012



taken at Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 5/11/2011



taken at An-Keng Branch of NTU Farm in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 3/15/2012



male video recorded at Four Beast Mountain, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/26/2012



male video recorded at Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 5/21/2011



male and female video recorded at Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 5/21/2011



video recorded at Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 5/21/2011

Chinese name:	白面白鶺鴒
English name:	White Wagtail(black backed)
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Motacilla alba, leucopsis 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, streams, gutters, grasslands
Altitude:	Low to mid-altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone or in flock in streams, wet farm fields and gutters.
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 19 cm long. The bird is mainly mixed black and white, with some gray. It has no eyeline. 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 black. Rear neck, back, wing and tail are black. There is a large white mark on each side wing. They often flap their tail constantly. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	China, Korean Peninsula
Migration destinations:	Indo-China Peninsula, Taiwan, Philippines
Time photographed:	5/11/2011, 5/21/2011, 3/15/2012, 10/26/2012
Location found:	Wenshan District of Taipei City, An-Keng Branch of NTU Farm in New Taipei City, Four Beast Mountain in Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Little Ringed Plover, 10/24/2012

Most of the Little Ringed Plovers are categorized as common wintering birds in Taiwan. Some stay all year round and become local birds. They can often be seen at wetlands, intertidal zones or farm fields. Similar to Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Wood Sandpiper and Golden Plover, Little Ringed Plovers are among early wintering birds in Taiwan. They arrive in Taiwan as early as August each year. Their eye frames turn golden during breeding season. That's why they are called "golden frame" in Chinese.



adult taken at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/24/2012



adult taken at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/24/2012



adult taken at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 3/17/2012



adult taken at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 3/17/2012



sub-adult video recorded at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/24/2012



video recorded at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 12/24/2011

Chinese name:	小環頸鴴
English name:	Little Ringed Plover
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Charadrius dubius
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Charadriidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Mostly winter migratory birds in Taiwan, some are local birds
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	Mollusks, insects
Habitat:	Wetlands, intertidal zones, coastal areas, estuaries, farm fields
Altitude:	Low altitude
Behavior:	Often appear alone in wetlands, intertidal zones or farm fields.
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 15 cm long. For males, there is a complete horizontal black ring around the neck, a wide horizontal black band above the forehead and another wide horizontal white band immediately above it. There is still an extra wide horizontal black band running from the upper bill base to the eye and then to the side neck. Females look like males, except that the black neck ring is mixed with brown stains. They can be distinguished from Kentish Plover by the horizontal white band on the head and the golden eye frame during breeding season. Summer plumage: During breeding seasons, eye frame turns into golden, and front forehead is white. Winter plumage: During non-breeding season, eye frame is no longer golden, and front forehead is no longer white. Similar species:
Breeding places:	Most breed in Europe and northern Asia. Some breed in parts of southern Asia such as Middle East and parts of China.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in central Africa, Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia, Indo-Pacific Islands, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	11/12/2011, 12/4/2011, 3/17/2012, 10/24/2012
Location found:	Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park of Taipei City, and Wugu Wetland of New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes:

Yellow Wagtail, 10/24/2012

Yellow Wagtail is categorized as common wintering bird in Taiwan. They often appear in great numbers, but spreading out eating alone, on grasslands near wetlands. You can see and hear them crying in many wetlands and riverside parks in Taipei area, including Wugu Wetland and Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park. They migrate to Taiwan from north in Autumn, return to north in Spring, and disappear totally in Summer. There are mainly two sub-species in Taiwan. One is taivana sub-species which bears a yellow eyebrow, and the other one is simillima sub-species which bears a white eyebrow. Other sub-species rarely appear in Taiwan, and are all categorized as disoriented or vagrant birds.



taken at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, on 10/24/2012



taken at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, on 10/24/2012



taken at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, on 10/24/2012



taken at Wugu Wetland, on 3/17/2012



taken at Wugu Wetland, on 12/18/2011



taken at Wugu Wetland, on 12/18/2011



the taivana sub-species video recorded on 3/17/2012



the simillima sub-species video recorded on 12/18/2011



the taivana sub-species video recorded on 12/18/2011

Chinese name:	黃鶺鴒
English name:	Yellow Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Motacilla flava
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Motacillidae
Species status:	According to Encyclopedia in Taiwan: [ There are mainly two sub-species in Taiwan. One is taivana sub-species which bears a yellow eyebrow, and the other one is simillima sub-species which bears a white eyebrow. Other sub-species could appear in Taiwan also, but all are categorized as disoriented or vagrant birds. ] -- web site http://taiwanpedia.culture.tw/web/content?ID=10902
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Winter migratory bird in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds
Habitat:	Wetlands
Altitude:	Low to high altitude
Behavior:	Often appear in great numbers, but spreading out eating alone, on grasslands near wetlands. They would constantly flap their tail up and down. They fly in an up-and-down way, not straight forward.
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: According to Encyclopedia in Taiwan: [ About 17 cm long. Bill and feet are black.] -- web site http://taiwanpedia.culture.tw/web/content?ID=10902 Summer plumage for taivana sub-species: According to Encyclopedia in Taiwan: [ Head, neck, face and back are yellowish green. Eyebrow stripe is wide and clear. Wing is grayish black with white edges....Yellow runs from throat down to belly. Tail is black with both side tails white. ] Winter plumage for taivana sub-species: According to Encyclopedia in Taiwan: [ All the yellow parts are replaced by light and grayish yellow. All the green parts are replaced by brown. ] Sub-adult plumage for taivana sub-species: According to Encyclopedia in Taiwan: [ The sub-adult is mostly like the winter plumage of adults....The lower part of the belly is grayish white. ] Summer plumage for simillima sub-species: According to Encyclopedia in Taiwan: [ It's mostly like the taivana sub-species, but head and cheek are dark gray. Eyebrow is white and is narrower. ] Winter plumage for simillima sub-species: According to Encyclopedia in Taiwan: [ It's mostly like the taivana sub-species, but the whole body bears no yellow at all. Throat is whiter....Eyebrow is white. ] Sub-adult plumage for simillima sub-species: Similar species:
Breeding places:	There are many sub-species in the world, mostly breeding in Europe, high altitude areas in northern Asia and coastal areas of Alaska.
Migration destinations:	For European sub-species, they winter in central and southern Africa, part of northern Africa, and lower altitude areas in western Asia. For Asian and Alaskan sub-species, they winter in Indian Sub-continent, Southeast Asia, Indo-Pacific Islands or the coastal areas of northern Australia.
Time photographed:	12/18/2011, 3/17/2012, 10/24/2012
Location found:	Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park of Taipei City, and Wugu Wetland of New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes: