TR Taiwan Custom June2019 - Tropical BirdingTaiwan: Formosan Endemics June 14-22, 2019 ITINERARY...

Taiwan:FormosanEndemics June14-22,2019

TOUR SUMMARY

Taiwan is a gem of a country that lies off the coast of East Asia. Although its mention

evokes huge urban areas and massive populations in the minds of most, Taiwan actually boasts

rugged mountains and vast wilderness areas. These support a rich array of wildlife, including

dozens of endemic bird species and even more endemic subspecies, many of which are potential

future splits. Taiwan is a comfortable place to travel, with modern hotels, world-class roads, and

excellent food. Whether you’re an experienced Asia-phile birder seeking out the island’s endemic

birds, or a newcomer to this part of the world, Taiwan is an excellent place to visit.

This short trip was a bit unusual in a couple respects. For one, it was during the summer,

whereas most birding tours run during the spring season. Although in June, the winter and

passage birds were gone, it was if anything better for the endemic birds. This custom trip was also

somewhat unusual in its hybrid approach, as we tried to see all the endemic birds, photograph as

many birds as possible (as on a “Birding with a Camera” tour), plus to see as much other wildlife

as we could manage. We were highly successful on all fronts.

TAIWAN Formosan Endemics

A Tropical Birding Custom Tour

June 14 – 22, 2019

Guides: Ken Behrens &

Kuan Chieh Hung/貫捷洪

Report and photos by Ken Behrens


With the endemic birds, we

saw all 28 endemic species

recognized on the current

Clements list, plus several highly

likely future splits, and dozens

more endemic subspecies, some

of which may be elevated to full

endemic species in the future.

Some of the highlights were

stunning views of a pair of Mikado

Pheasants at (literally) arm’s

length, intimate encounters with

Flamecrest, Black-necklaced

Scimitar-Babbler, and all the

laughingthrushes, and several

excellent sightings of the island’s most elusive endemic: Taiwan Thrush. Taiwan Bamboo

Partridge was actually the endemic that gave us the most trouble, but our persistence eventually

paid off with great views. One of the outstanding things about Taiwan is that although it has only

one or two representatives of many

major Asian groups of birds, an

unusually high proportion of these are

the coolest member of the group! A

few examples that I’d argue are

Taiwan Yuhina, Firecrest, White-

eared Sibia, Steere’s Liocichla,

Taiwan Blue-Magpie, and Taiwan

Barwing. Taiwan might not have a

vast set of endemics, but all of its

endemics are very cool birds. Even

the drab-looking Taiwan Bush-Warbler

We had ridiculously great views of the elusive endemic Black-necklaced Scimitar-Babbler at Dasyeushan.

It’s not an endemic, but Taiwan is the best place on Earth to see Malayan Night-Heron, which is very tricky elsewhere.


boasts one of the coolest songs among Asian birds!

Although the endemics were the avian focus, there were plenty of cool non-endemic birds.

Chief among these was the increasingly rare Fairy Pitta, which we manage to see due to the

efforts of our excellent local guide Kuan Chieh, a.k.a. “Chuck”. This was also one of the very few

birding tours that managed to see all three of Taiwan’s woodpeckers, the scarcest of which is

Gray-headed.

A couple of nocturnal excursions produced many prizes, including Mountain Scops-Owl,

Northern Boobook, several species of frogs, a Red-and-white Flying-Squirrel, and a beautiful

Taiwanese Habu snake. The weather throughout our tour was ideal, with clear blue skies and very

little rain. This allowed us to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. Despite being on a relatively

small island, it is easy in Taiwan to forget that you’re not somewhere in the heart of the mighty

Himalayas!

This trip was a lot like Taiwan itself: a great deal packed into a small space. When it was

over, it was hard to believe that it had only been 8 days long!

Chestnut-bellied Tit is one of Taiwan’s more elusive endemics.


ITINERARY

June 14 Arrival in Taiwan. Night in Taoyuan. June 15 Taoyuan to Shimen Dam to Daxueshan. June 16-17 Daxueshan. June 18 Dongshi to Qingjing. June 19 Wuling Pass / Hehuanshan to Toroko Gorge NP to Hualien, and back. June 20 Qingjing to Yushan NP to Alishan. June 21 Alishan to Tainan area to Douliu. June 22 Douliu to Taoyuan. Departure.

Collared Finchbill is an odd bulbul that is quite common in lower-elevation forest and scrub.


PHOTO GALLERY

On our final full day, we searched for waterbirds around Tainan. One of the highlights was many

Pheasant-tailed Jacanas in breeding plumage.

Taroko Gorge has some spectacular scenery, and lots of red bridges.


Taiwan Whistling-Thrush (left) and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (right).

Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler has an endemic Taiwanese subspecies.


A couple of elusive endemics: Taiwan Cupwing (left) and Taiwan Thrush (right).

Rufous-faced Warbler is astoundingly common in Taiwan.


We visited a couple of beautiful temples.


Golden-headed Cisticola in full breeding plumage near Puli. Not bad for a cisticola!

The taxon of Vivid Niltava in Taiwan is likely to be split as an additional endemic.


It took some nerve-wracking patience, but we eventually came face-to-face with Mikado Pheasant.


Taiwan Fulvetta (left) and “Owston’s” Gray-headed Bullfinch (right) are specialties of the highest elevations.

Golden Parrotbill has a distinctive Taiwanese subspecies that is another likely future split.


Taiwan Blue-Magpie: what a fabulous bird!

When you’re in the middle of them, Taiwan’s rugged mountains seem endless.


It was an unusual treat to see a female Swinhoe’s Pheasant high in a tree!


Black Bulbul, yet another distinctive Taiwanese subspecies: “Velvety Bulbul”.

Immature Malayan Night-Heron is perhaps even cooler than the adult bird!


Flamecrest is a Taiwanese endemic that is easily the coolest member of its family.

Taiwanese Rosefinch (left) and Striated Prinia (right).


Taiwan Barwing… yup, it’s the coolest barwing.


Brown Dipper is one of the wonderful widespread Asian birds found in Taiwan.

Steere’s Liocichla. Is it the coolest liocichla? Yup.


White-whiskered Laughingthrush is common and tame in the high mountains.

You guessed it… some more endemics: Collared Bush-Robin (left) and Formosan Odd-scaled Snake (right).


Formosan Rock Macaque, a sturdy monkey with lots of character.

Yellow Tit singing away on Hehuanshan.


White-eared Sibia, a glorious endemic bird.

Taiwan Hwamei is being genetically swamped by introduced Chinese Hwameis.


Taiwan Bush-Warbler (left) and Taiwan Yuhina (right).

Taiwan Partridge is a beauty, like all the members of its genus.


Female Mikado Pheasant is a beauty in her own right.


BIRD LIST Taxonomy and nomenclature follow The eBird-Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World v2018 (including updates through August 2018).

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl (Anatidae) Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies (Phasianidae) E NT Taiwan Partridge Arborophila crudigularis E Taiwan Bamboo-Partridge Bambusicola sonorivox E NT Mikado Pheasant Syrmaticus mikado E NT Swinhoe's Pheasant Lophura swinhoii Grebes (Podicipedidae) Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae) I Rock Pigeon Columba livia Ashy Wood-Pigeon Columba pulchricollis

Essp Oriental Turtle-Dove Streptopelia orientalis orii Red Collared-Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica White-bellied Pigeon Treron sieboldii Cuckoos (Cuculidae) Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides H Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus Nightjars and Allies (Caprimulgidae)

Essp Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis stictomus Swifts (Apodidae)

Essp Silver-backed (Formosan) Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis formosanus

BM Pacific Swift Apus pacificus Essp House Swift Apus nipalensis kuntzi

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots (Rallidae) Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Stilts and Avocets (Recurvirostridae) Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Plovers and Lapwings (Charadriidae) Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Painted-Snipes (Rostratulidae) Greater Painted-Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Jacanas (Jacanidae) Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Pratincoles and Coursers (Glareolidae)

BM Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Laridae) Little Tern Sternula albifrons Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida


Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana BM Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae) Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae) Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis

NBM Gray Heron Ardea cinerea NBM Great Egret Ardea alba

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Striated Heron Butorides striata Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Malayan Night-Heron Gorsachius melanolophus Ibises and Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) I Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Hawks, Eagles, and Kites (Accipitridae) Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus

Essp* Crested (Taiwan) Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela hoya Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis

Essp Crested (Formosan) Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus formosae Essp Besra Accipiter virgatus fuscipectus

Black Kite Milvus migrans Owls (Strigidae)

Essp Mountain Scops-Owl Otus spilocephalus hambroecki Essp Collared Scops-Owl Otus lettia glabripes Essp Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei pardalotum H

Northern Boobook Ninox japonica totogo Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis G Asian Barbets (Megalaimidae) E Taiwan Barbet Psilopogon nuchalis Woodpeckers (Picidae) Gray-capped (Pygmy) Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus

Essp White-backed (Taiwan) Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos insularis Gray-headed Woodpecker Picus canus tancolo Pittas (Pittidae)

BM VU Fairy Pitta Pitta nympha Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae) Gray-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris Shrikes (Laniidae) Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis (Vireonidae) White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca Old World Orioles (Oriolidae)

Essp* Maroon (Red) Oriole Oriolus traillii ardens Drongos (Dicruridae)

Essp Black (Hartert's) Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus harterti Essp Bronzed (Taiwan) Drongo Dicrurus aeneus braunianus

Monarch Flycatchers (Monarchidae) Essp Black-naped (Oberholtzer's) Monarch Hypothymis azurea oberholseri


Crows, Jays, and Magpies (Corvidae) Essp Eurasian (Taiwan) Jay Garrulus glandarius taivanus

E Taiwan Blue-Magpie Urocissa caerulea Essp Gray (Formosan) Treepie Dendrocitta formosae formosae

Oriental Magpie Pica serica Essp Eurasian (Owston's) Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes owstoni

Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos colonorum Swallows (Hirundinidae) Gray-throated Martin Riparia chinensis

BM Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata striolata Asian House-Martin Delichon dasypus Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice (Paridae)

Essp (Taiwan) Coal Tit Periparus ater ptilosus E Chestnut-bellied Tit Sittiparus castaneoventris

Essp Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus insperatus E NT Taiwan Yellow Tit Machlolophus holsti Long-tailed Tits (Aegithalidae) Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus Nuthatches (Sittidae) Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea Wrens (Troglodytidae)

Essp Eurasian (Taiwan) Wren Troglodytes troglodytes taivanus Dippers (Cinclidae) Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)

Essp Collared (Grey-headed) Finchbill Spizixos semitorques cinereicapillus E VU Styan's (Taiwan) Bulbul Pycnonotus taivanus

Essp Light-vented (Formosan) Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis formosae Essp Black (Velvety) Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus nigerrimus

Kinglets (Regulidae) E Flamecrest Regulus goodfellowi Cupwings (Pnoepygidae) E Taiwan Cupwing Pnoepyga formosana Bush Warblers and Allies (Scotocercidae) Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis

Essp* Brownish-flanked (Strong-footed) Bush-Warbler Horornis fortipes robustipes Essp Yellowish-bellied (Taiwan) Bush-Warbler Horornis acanthizoides concolor

Grassbirds and Allies (Locustellidae) E Taiwan Bush Warbler Locustella alishanensis Cisticolas and Allies (Cisticolidae)

Essp Striated Prinia Prinia crinigera striata Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris

Essp Plain Prinia Prinia inornata flavirostris Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Essp Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis volitans Parrotbills, Wrentit, and Allies (Paradoxornithidae) E Taiwan Fulvetta Fulvetta formosana

Essp Vinous-throated (Pink-headed) Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana bulomacha Essp Golden (Morrison's) Parrotbill Suthora verreauxi morrisoniana


White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies (Zosteropidae) E Taiwan Yuhina Yuhina brunneiceps Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus

Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies (Timaliidae)

Essp Rufous-capped (Bright-faced) Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps praecognitum E Taiwan Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus musicus E Black-necklaced Scimitar-Babbler Megapomatorhinus erythrocnemis Ground Babblers and Allies (Pellorneidae)

Essp Dusky (Brown) Fulvetta Schoeniparus b. brunneus Laughingthrushes and Allies (Leiothrichidae) E Morrison's Fulvetta Alcippe morrisonia E NT Taiwan Hwamei Garrulax taewanus E Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush Ianthocincla ruficeps E Rusty Laughingthrush Ianthocincla poecilorhyncha E White-whiskered Laughingthrush Trochalopteron morrisonianum E White-eared Sibia Heterophasia auricularis E Steere's Liocichla Liocichla steerii E Taiwan Barwing Actinodura morrisoniana Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)

BM Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea I Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis

Essp* Vivid (Taiwan) Niltava Niltava v. vivida E* Taiwan (White-browed) Shortwing Brachypteryx (montana) goodfellowi E Taiwan Whistling-Thrush Myophonus insularis

Essp White-tailed (Mountain) Robin Myiomela leucura montium Essp* White-browed Bush-Robin (Taiwan Robin) Tarsiger indicus formosanus

E Collared Bush-Robin Tarsiger johnstoniae Essp Snowy-browed (Taiwan) Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra innexa Essp Plumbeous Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus affinis

Thrushes and Allies (Turdidae) E Taiwan (Island) Thrush Turdus niveiceps Starlings (Sturnidae) I Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis I Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis I Common Myna Acridotheres tristis I Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus

Essp Crested (Formosan) Myna Acridotheres cristatellus formosanus Flowerpeckers (Dicaeidae)

Essp Fire-breasted (Formosan) Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus formosum Accentors (Prunellidae)

Essp Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris fennelli Wagtails and Pipits (Motacillidae) White Wagtail Motacilla alba Finches, Euphonias, and Allies (Fringillidae) E Taiwan Rosefinch Carpodacus formosanus

Essp Brown (Uchida's) Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis uchidae Essp* Gray-headed (Owston's) Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca owstoni

Old World Sparrows (Passeridae) Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Waxbills and Allies (Estrildidae) I Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica


White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

Bold/E=Endemic G=Guide-onlyEssp=EndemicSubspecies H=Heard-only

MAMMAL LIST

OLD WORLD MONKEYS: Cercopithecidae E Formosan Rock Macaque Macaca cyclopsis SQUIRRELS: Sciuridae

Essp Red-and-white Flying-Squirrel Petaurista alborufus lena Essp Maritime (Formosan) Striped Squirrel Tamiops maritimus formosanus Essp Perny's (Owston's) Long-nosed Squirrel Dremomys pernyi owstoni Essp Pallas's (Formosan) Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus taiwanensis

WEASELS: Mustelidae Essp Siberian (Golden) Weasel Mustela sibirica taivana

DEER: Cervidae Essp Reeve's Muntjac BOVIDS: Bovidae

E (Formosan) Serow Capricornis swinhoei

Bold/E=Endemic Essp=EndemicSubspecies

REPTILE LIST

AGAMAS: Agamidae E Swinhoe's Japalura Japalura swinhonis SKINKS: Scincidae Long-tailed Mabuya Eutropis longicaudata Xenodermatidae Formosan Odd-scaled Snake Achalinus formosanus VIPERS: Viperidae E Taiwanese Habu Protobothrops mucrosquamatus

Bold/E=Endemic


AMPHIBIAN LIST

TOADS: Bufonidae E Central Formosan Toad Bufo bankorensis G FROGS: Ranidae Latouchti's Frog Rana latouchii TREEFROGS: Rhacophoridae Temple Tree Frog Kurixalus idiootocus Robust Kajika Frog Buergeria robusta NARROW-MOUTHED FROGS: Microhylidae Ornate Narrow-mouthed Frog Microhyla ornata H

Bold/E=EndemicG=guide-only

Taiwan Barbet is one of only a few avian endemics that are restricted to lower elevations.


BUTTERFLY LIST

MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES: Danainae Striped Blue Crow Euploea mulciber barsine Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala septentrionis BRUSH-FOOTED BUTTERFLIES: Nymphalinae Sailor sp. Neptis sp. Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus Common Mapwing Cyrestis thydomas formosana Common Duffer Discophora sondaica Scarce Tortoiseshell Nymphalis xanthomelas Veined Labyrinth Neope pulaha Dark Evening Brown Melanitis phedima Libythea lepita GOSSAMER-WINGED BUTTERFLIES: Lycaenidae Sapphire sp Heliophorus ila Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus Cerulean sp. Jamides alecto dromicus Dark Cerulean Jamides bochus Line Blue sp. Prosotas sp. PIERID BUTTERFLIES: Pieridae Lesser Gull Cepora nadina SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLIES: Papilionidae Common Bluebottle Graphium sarpedon connectens Chinese Peacock Butterfly Papilio bionor thrasymedes Common Mormon Papilio polytes pasikrates Spangle Swallowtail Papilio protenor Red Helen Swallowtail Papilio helenus Swallowtail sp. Papilio hermosanus Formosan Swallowtail Papilio thaiwanus SKIPPERS: Hesperiidae Restricted Demon Notocrypta curvifascia

TR Taiwan Custom June2019 - Tropical BirdingTaiwan: Formosan Endemics June 14-22, 2019 ITINERARY...

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