Morrison's Fulvetta
Alcippe morrisonia
Active small songbird, endemic to Taiwan. Brown above, white below, with gray head, large white eyering, thin black borders in crown (hard to see at times), and buffy wash in flanks. Very social, often moving in large flocks, sometimes mixed with other species. Inhabits forested regions from the lowlands up into montane forests. Gives harsh, grating chipping and whirring notes while moving in flocks. Song is short but sweet: a melodious warble followed by a hoarse whistle.
Identification
Active small songbird, endemic to Taiwan. Brown above, white below, with gray head, large white eyering, thin black borders in crown (hard to see at times), and buffy wash in flanks. Very social, often moving in large flocks, sometimes mixed with other species. Inhabits forested regions from the lowlands up into montane forests. Gives harsh, grating chipping and whirring notes while moving in flocks. Song is short but sweet: a melodious warble followed by a hoarse whistle.
Taxonomy
Genus: Alcippe; Family: Leiothrichidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Alcippe morrisonia
- Authority
- Swinhoe, 1863
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Alcippe
Range and habitat
It is a year-round resident throughout Taiwan. It is found in evergreen mountain forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
West African Seedeater
Crithagra canicapilla
A medium-sized brown seedeater. Note the boldly marked face with a dark crown, a white eyebrow, and a broad dark-brown patch through the eye. The underparts lack streaking, but may show some brown blotching. Found in woodland, scrub, and cultivated areas. Often in pairs or small flocks. Similar to Reichard's Seedeater, but there is little overlap in range, and West African is easily separated by the unstreaked underparts. Somewhat similar to White-rumped Seedeater, but lacks a white rump, and has a strong facial pattern and unstreaked underparts. Gives a pretty, musical up-and-down song of whistles and trills which also sometimes includes imitations of other birds.
Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow
Melozone kieneri
Attractive, rather skulking large sparrow of foothills, endemic to west Mexico. Favors brushy understory of tropical woodlands, shade-coffee plantations, and brushy hedges in farmland. Mostly stays well hidden on or near the ground, but can feed in the open beside quiet roads and trails, especially in early mornings; usually in pairs. Note the rusty cap (often raised when excited), white spectacles, and extensive white bib with a dark central spot.
White-bellied Heron
Ardea insignis
Large, imperious stone-gray heron, very locally distributed and extremely rare. Note dark gray wings, pale throat patch, and white belly. Shows strong black-and-white contrast on the underwing when in flight. Inhabits waterside areas surrounded by mature broadleaf forests in foothill and mountainous areas; particularly favors pristine mountain rivers and streams. Declining due to habitat degradation.
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