Taiwan Hwamei

Garrulax taewanus

Lightly streaked brown songbird with starkly pale eyes found in edge habitat and scrubby areas in Taiwan. Chinese Hwamei, which has been introduced in Taiwan, has an unstreaked head, dark eyes, and distinctive bluish lines behind the eyes. Hybridization threatens this species’ survival. An accomplished songster, but unlike the Chinese Hwamei, does not mimic other species.

Identification

Lightly streaked brown songbird with starkly pale eyes found in edge habitat and scrubby areas in Taiwan. Chinese Hwamei, which has been introduced in Taiwan, has an unstreaked head, dark eyes, and distinctive bluish lines behind the eyes. Hybridization threatens this species’ survival. An accomplished songster, but unlike the Chinese Hwamei, does not mimic other species.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Garrulax taewanus
Authority
Swinhoe, 1859
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Leiothrichidae
Genus
Garrulax

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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