Taiwan Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus insularis
Large songbird, blackish-blue with metallic sheen, appearing black from a distance and in poor lighting. Up close, a brighter blue patch on the shoulder and dark red irides are diagnostic. Frequently bobs and fans tail. Inhabits streamside areas in shaded forests. Gives piercing whistles frequently; less frequently heard song is melodic and consists of assorted whistles and trills.
Identification
Its length is 28 to 30 cm (11 to 12 in). The wings are 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long. It is mostly blackish-blue. Some feathers are navy blue or metallic blue. Some underwing coverts have white bases. The underparts are blackish. Its neck, breast and flanks are scaled. Its eyes are deep red, and its lores, bill and legs are black. The two sexes are alike. The juvenile is dull blackish, with a bluish tinge. The gape of the juvenile is yellowish.
Taxonomy
The Taiwan whistling thrush was collected by Robert Swinhoe and described as Myiophoneus insularis by John Gould in 1862. Swinhoe called it the "Formosan cavern-bird" because it inhabits the dark, forested ravines in the mountains. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Malabar whistling thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii). The species is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Myophonus insularis
- Authority
- Gould, 1863
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Myophonus
Range and habitat
This thrush is endemic to Taiwan. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is found at elevations of up to 2,700 m (8,900 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Sri Lanka Thrush
Zoothera imbricata
Large, long-billed brown thrush with extensive black scales all over the body, and rich buff underparts. A very secretive, terrestrial species that frequents the understory of wet forests of lowlands and mountains. Most often encountered in the foothills, foraging along forest tracks. Told from female Pied and Spot-winged Thrushes by presence of extensive black markings on the upperparts, and rich buff coloration to the underparts. Heard mainly at dawn and dusk. Mournful, unobtrusive song a series of downslurred whistles: “cheeew-chew-lew”, with emphasis on first note, and rapid final two notes. Calls include a barely-audible, high-pitched, short, sharp “tsit” notes.

Sclater's Whistler
Pachycephala soror
A medium-sized bird of mid-montane forest. Yellow belly, olive back and white throat. Male has a black head and border to the throat. Female has a brown head and diffuse olive chest band. The male is similar to several other golden whistlers but lacks the yellow patch behind the head. Female is similar to Regent, Lorentz’s and Vogelkop Whistler’s but has white throat and brown head. Voice, a series of typical whistlerlike “chew!” or “whip!” notes that get louder and end with an explosive quality.

Red-bellied Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus greyi
A colorful dove, usually found in pairs, that can form large groups at fruiting trees. Appears mostly silver with green wings. Red belly patch and forehead are striking, and yellow base to the undertail is often visible, especially in flight. Female is superficially similar to female Tanna Fruit-Dove, but smaller and more rotund, lacking Tanna’s bright yellow wing spots. Gives a typical dove-like call with a couple of longer “woo” notes followed by an accelerated “laughing.”
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