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.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Alcippe morrisonia
Authority
Swinhoe, 1863
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Paradoxornithidae
Genus
Alcippe

Range and habitat

It is a year-round resident throughout Taiwan. It is found in evergreen mountain forests.

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
unknown

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Ochraceous Attila

Ochraceous Attila

Attila torridus

Bright, tawny flycatcher with a hooked bill. Nearly endemic to western Ecuador, just barely reaching Peru and Colombia. Upperparts and breast are orange-brown, belly is yellow, and wings are dark with brown wingbars. Inhabits rainforest as well as lighter, more disturbed woodland. Usually found perched at mid-levels in the trees, and often pumps its tail. Typical song is a series of about five loud, rising whistles followed by “purr-whip!”

Common Ostrich

Common Ostrich

Struthio camelus

Massive, conspicuous, flightless bird with long neck and robust legs. Mature males have black-and-white plumage, with pinkish skin, flushed in breeding plumage. Females and immatures are duller gray-brown. Small groups roam open and lightly-wooded country; can walk up to several kilometers a day. The stubby wings are used for spectacular breeding displays and dust-bathing. Deep booming calls can be heard from long distances. Similar Somali Ostrich (no range overlap) has slaty-colored skin and pale eyes, unlike the pink-skinned Common Ostrich.

Dot-fronted Woodpecker

Dot-fronted Woodpecker

Dryobates frontalis

Small greenish woodpecker of the dry and semi-humid forests at the base of the Andes in NW Argentina and southern Bolivia. Male has a red cap, while the female’s head is grayish with pale spots. Distinguished from the very similar Little woodpecker by Dot-fronted’s pale auriculars and pale spots on forehead. Also tends to be less vocal and less gregarious than Little Woodpecker. Calls a quick, full “squit!” given individually or strung together in quick repetition.

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