Taiwan Yuhina
Yuhina brunneiceps
A small, tit-like endemic songbird, brown above, white below, with a very distinctive head pattern: the pointed crest is white with a black-bordered chestnut front, and the ear coverts are outlined in black on the white face. Inhabits hilly and montane forests, where it roams about in large chattering flocks at all levels of the forest. Song is a simple clear series of strident whistles, sounding a bit like a wolf-whistle or a friendly sounding “to-meet-you.”
Identification
The Taiwan yuhina is 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) in length with a chocolate brown crest and a black beard stripe descending from its beak. The bird's back, wings and tail are dark ash brown, and its lower breast is lighter in colour. Agreeing with other typical yuhinas in habitus, its colouration pattern makes it rather distinctive among the genus.
Taxonomy
Like other yuhinas, it is closely related to the white-eyes and if these were considered a distinct family Zosteropidae, it would be placed there. Otherwise, it would be classed with the white-eyes in the Old World babbler Timaliidae family. The closest living relative of this species appears to be the black-chinned yuhina, which occurs on the Asian mainland.<p>
- Scientific name
- Yuhina brunneiceps
- Authority
- Ogilvie-Grant, 1906
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Yuhina
Range and habitat
This species is found in hill forests at elevations of 1,000–3,200 m (3,300–10,500 ft) above sea level, although it is most common between 1,500–2,500 m (4,900–8,200 ft); it can descend to lower altitudes in winter. It is gregarious, active and quite tame. It keeps to lower forest and often joins other species, especially tits in mixed flocks. The flocks, while feeding, make a constant soft chatter. The call of the Taiwan yuhina is a sound somewhat like twi-MI-chiu, which resembles the phrase "We MEET you". The Taiwan yuhina's diet mainly consists of nectar, berries, flowers and small insects. It may sometimes be observed hanging upside down on cherry trees. These songbirds are particularly fond of the flowers of the Chinese tulip tree and the fruits of trees of the family Elaeagnaceae and the genus Idesia (Salicaceae).<p>Based on a population in Nantou County, diet during the breeding season mostly consists of nectar and fruits of Taiwan cherry (Prunus campanulata), fruits of eastern debregeasia (Debregeasia orientalis), and the nectar of mistletoe Taxillus lonicerifolius.<p>The breeding season for the Taiwan yuhina is from May to June.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red Shining-Parrot
Prosopeia tabuensis
A large, brightly colored parrot with a dark red head and underside and a bright green upperside with a blue neck and tail. Occurs in a variety of habitats. Similar to Crimson Shining-Parrot, but has darker red underparts and a brownish-red head with a bright orange eye; the two occur on nearby islands but do not overlap. Voice is typical of parrots, including a variety of nasal “erh” and “grrraah” calls.
Gray-sided Flowerpecker
Dicaeum celebicum
A tiny, stubby, plump dark songbird with a bold red throat in males. Female is nondescript, all gray with a clean white throat. Juveniles resemble female but have a pale-based bill and a green-washed breast. Singles and pairs can be found in lowlands and foothills in a variety of habitats, including forest, forest edge, scrub, and gardens. Male can be separated from male Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker by red throat and lack of red crown. Female Gray-sided differs from female Crimson-crowned in absence of red rump. Song is a thin, high-pitched “see-se-sooo.” Also gives a buzzy “tzjit” note.
Bradfield's Swift
Apus bradfieldi
A large, chunky, strong-flying swift that is gray-brown and appears scaled on the underparts. The darker tail and flight feathers contrast with the body. It is resident and nomadic in arid habitats, preferring rocky cliffs, gorges, and hills, where it is often the most frequently encountered swift. It is paler, more slender, and narrower-winged than other co-occurring large dark swifts.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.