Birds in Taiwan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Families, genera, and species are presented in alphabetical order. Nomenclature largely follows the IOC World Bird List (worldbirdnames.org). Information about etymology is often based on J.A. Jobling, 2010. The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names, Christopher Helm, London.

In case you encounter any errors on this page, I would be grateful to hear about it. You can use the address at the bottom of the page.

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Latin word for hawks, derived from accipere (‘to grasp’), naturally alluding to the sharp talons.

 

Subspecies formosae is endemic to Taiwan and is the most widespread species of the genus in the island, found from the lowlands up to an altitude of c. 1,000 m. It lives in forests, shrubland, and larger city parks. When hunting, it sits motionless in a tree, scanning the surroundings for prey.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘three-striped’, alluding to the bird having three vertical black streaks on the throat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is composed of two other genus names, Buteo (buzzards), and Astur, an obsolete name for the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis).

Grey-faced buzzard is dealt with below, whereas the rufous-winged buzzard (B. liventer) is found in Indochina and Indonesia, the white-eyed buzzard (B. teesa) in the Indian Subcontinent, south-western China, and northern Indochina, and the grasshopper buzzard (B. rufipennis) mainly in the Sahel zone of northern Africa, observed in winter in East Africa.

 

Taiwan lies on a major migration route for this species, and in October, thousands move south along the central mountains, whereas the northward movement takes place in March-April along the low mountains in the western part of the island. A few spend the winter on Lanyu Island.

Strictly speaking, the specific name means ‘from India’. However, when English physician and naturalist John Latham (1740-1837) named the bird in 1781, he referred to the East Indies (today Indonesia). The type specimen was collected in Java.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These birds are divided into 3 subfamilies: river kingfishers (Alcedininae), tree kingfishers (Halcyoninae), and water kingfishers (Cerylinae). One species of the former subfamily is presented below, whereas members of the other two subfamilies are dealt with on the page Animals – Birds: Birds in the Himalaya.

 

The generic name is the classical Latin word for kingfisher.

 

There are three possible explanations to the specific name, all from the Greek mythology. 1) A handsome, richly dressed Indian youth, son of Limniace, nymph of the Ganges. 2) A beautiful young woman of Lesbos, favourite of the female poet Sappho (c. 630-570 B.C.). 3) An Athenian princess, daughter of King Cranaus and his wife Pedias. Jobling (2010) favours the Indian youth.

 

 

 

 

 

A group of 8 fulvettas are now placed in the family Paradoxornithidae (below), a group of 7 have been been moved to a new genus, Schoeniparus, in Pellorneidae, and the bush blackcap, previously called Lioptilus nigricapillus, has been transferred to the genus Sylvia in the family Sylviidae.

The generic name refers to Alcippe, in Greek mythology the daughter of Aries, the god of war.

 

An alternative name of this species is Morrison’s fulvetta, alluding to Mount Morrison, today called Yu Shan (‘Jade Mountain’), at 3952 m the highest mountain in the Far East. Originally, this mountain was named for Robert Morrison (1782-1834), a Scottish Protestant missionary, who worked in Macao, Guangdong, and the Malaccan Peninsula.

 

 

 

 

 

Following genetic studies, the formerly very large genus Anas has been divided into 7 genera, including Spatula and Mareca. All 3 genera are dealt with below.

 

 

The winter months are spent in the southern half of North America, in Central America and the Caribbean, in the major part of Europe and the Middle East, in northern and eastern Africa, and in the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, southern China, Taiwan, and the northern Philippines. It is a common winter visitor to Taiwan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘sharp-pointed’, like the common name alluding to the long, pointed tail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both were named for the yellow point of the otherwise black bill.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek zone (‘band’ or ‘girdle’) and rhynkhos (‘bill’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from a Brazilian-Portuguese word, marréco, meaning ‘small duck’.

 

It breeds in Temperate Eurasia, from Iceland and Scotland eastwards to the Pacific, whereas the wintering quarters encompass the major part of Europe and the Middle East, northern and eastern Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, southern China, Taiwan, and the northern Philippines. It is a common winter visitor in Taiwan.

In North America, it is a regular winter visitor to the Pacific lowlands, from Canada southwards to California. Small numbers are also seen elsewhere in the continent.

This species was named Anas penelope by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) in 1758. He may have referred to Penelope, who, in Homer’s Odyssey, was the wife of Odysseus. She was known for her fidelity to him, while he was away on his journeys. However, as most ducks are certainly not known for their fidelity, this connection is hard to discover.

Another possible explanation may be the Proto-Greek word penelops, mentioned as ‘some kind of bird’ by Greek grammarian Hesychius of Alexandria, who, probably in the 5th or 6th century A.D., compiled a lexicon of unusual and obscure Greek words. (Source: R. Beekes 2009. Etymological dictionary of Greek. Brill)

The pictures below are all from the Aogu Wetlands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the Latin word for ‘spoon’ or ‘spatula’, alluding to the spatulate bill of shovelers.

 

The winter months are spent in the southern half of North America, in Central America and the Caribbean, in the major part of Europe and the Middle East, in northern and eastern Africa, and in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, southern China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the northern Philippines. It is an abundant winter visitor to Taiwan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘shield-bearing’, alluding to the broad and flat bill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Latin word for swifts, derived from Ancient Greek a (‘without’) and pous (‘foot’). Due to the tiny, weak legs of these birds, the Ancients believed that they were a type of swallow without feet.

 

It is very common in Taiwan, often breeding in dense colonies on high-rise buildings.

The specific name refers to Nepal. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

 

 

 

 

About 21 species have been encountered in Taiwan.

 

 

Subspecies modesta is common in the lowlands of Taiwan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘white’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘ash-coloured’.

Other pictures, depicting the grey heron, may be seen on the pages Fishing, and Animals: Urban animal life.

In America, it is replaced by the similar, slightly larger great blue heron (A. herodias), presented on the page Animals – Birds: Birds in the United States and Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The yellow-billed egret is a fairly common winter visitor to Taiwan, but tends to be overlooked due to its similarity to the great white egret (above).

The specific name refers to its size, intermediate between the great white egret and the little egret (Egretta garzetta, below).

Some authorities place this bird in a separate genus, Mesophoyx.

 

 

 

 

 

However, in the late 1800s it began expanding its range into southern Africa, and in 1877 it was observed in northern South America, having apparently flown across the Atlantic Ocean. By the 1930s, it had become established as a breeding bird in this area, rapidly spreading to North America, where it is now found as far north as southern Canada. In later years, it has also spread northwards in Europe. It is a common resident in the lowlands of Taiwan.

As its name implies, it often follows cattle to snap grasshoppers and other small animals, flushed by the grazers. It is also often observed in newly ploughed fields. The generic name is Latin, meaning ‘cowherd’. The specific name is the Ancient Greek term for ibises. Why it was applied to the cattle egret is not clear.

Today, some authorities split the cattle egret into two species, the western (B. ibis) and the eastern (B. coromandus). Apart from minor differences, they are identical, so why this split was made, is incomprehensible. I prefer to regard all cattle egrets as a single species.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Provençal French aigrette, a diminutive of aigron (‘heron’).

 

The specific name is the Italian name for the bird.

A close relative, the snowy egret (E. thula), is presented on the page Animals – Birds: Birds in the United States and Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the name Ardea goisagi, which Dutch zoologist and museum director Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1778-1858) applied in 1836 to the Japanese night-heron (today called Gorsachius goisagi). In fact, Goi-sagi is the Japanese name for the black-crowned night-heron (below), derived from goi (‘fifth rank’) and sagi (‘heron’). In Japanese classical folklore, the all-powerful Emperor Daigo (reigned 897-930 A.D.) ordered a vassal to capture a black-crowned night-heron. Upon hearing the imperial command, the heron submitted itself to capture. The emperor was pleased that the heron had confirmed his omnipotence over nature as well as man, whereupon he granted it the title ‘king of the herons’ and the position of fifth rank in his court, and released it unharmed. (Source: Jobling, 2010)

 

The main habitats of this bird are forests and marshy areas, but in Taiwan, where it is common, it is often found in city parks, where it can become remarkably confiding.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek melas (‘black’) and lophos (‘crest’).

All pictures below are from the city of Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These birds mainly breed in reedbeds, and their secretive way of life often makes it difficult to observe them.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek ixias, a reed-like plant, and brykhomai (‘to bellow’), the latter alluding to their harsh call.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘cinnamon-coloured’, derived from Ancient Greek kinnamon (‘cinnamon’).

 

 

 

 

 

It is mainly resident, but north-eastern populations are migratory. It is a fairly common resident in the lowlands of Taiwan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘Chinese’ or ‘from China’. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

 

 

 

 

In historic times, 4 other species of the genus, which were all restricted to small islands in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, have gone extinct.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek nyktos (‘night’) and korax (‘raven’), referring to the mainly nocturnal feeding habits of these birds, and to their hoarse, raven-like call.

 

This bird figures in Japanese classical folklore, where it is called Goi-sagi, from goi (‘fifth rank’) and sagi (‘heron’). According to legend, the all-powerful Emperor Daigo (reigned 897-930 A.D.) ordered a vassal to capture a black-crowned night-heron. Upon hearing the imperial command, the heron submitted itself to capture. The emperor was pleased that the heron had confirmed his omnipotence over nature as well as man, whereupon he granted it the title ‘king of the herons’ and the position of fifth rank in his court, and released it unharmed. (Source: Jobling, 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These birds are not closely related to cuckoos or shrikes. The name may refer to the grey colour of many cuckooshrikes, which makes them superficially resemble cuckoos.

 

Several of the species are very colourful, the males being predominantly red and black, the females yellow and black. Some members of the genus are presented on the pages In praise of the colour orange, and Animals – Birds: Birds in Bagan.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek peri (‘very’ or ‘all around’) and krokotos (‘golden-yellow’). The type specimen must have been a female!

The word minivet is of unknown origin.

 

It was described in 1846 from Darjiling by English zoologist Edward Blyth (1810-1873), who worked as a curator of zoology at the museum of the Asiatic Society of India in Calcutta (today Kolkata).

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘of the sun’, presumably alluding to the plumage of the female, which is yellow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the old days, these birds were often called goatsuckers, as it was believed that they would suck milk from goats at night. This belief dates back to Roman philosopher and naturalist Pliny the Elder (c. 23-79 A.D.), who called these birds caprimulgus, derived from capra (‘she-goat’) and mulgere (‘to milk’). He wrote: “Those called goat-suckers, which resemble a rather large blackbird, are night thieves. They enter the shepherds’ stalls and fly to the goats’ udders in order to suck their milk, which injures the udder and makes it perish, and the goats they have milked in this way gradually go blind.”

In 1758, the name caprimulgus was adopted by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), when he named the European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. In German, nightjars are still called Ziegenmelker (‘goat-milkers’).

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘related to’ or ‘similar to’ – presumably to another nightjar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the Latin word for a yellowish bird, mentioned in Biblia Vulgata, a Latin translation of the Bible from the late 4th Century. The word was derived from Ancient Greek kharadrios, a bird found in river valleys, from kharadra (‘ravine’).

 

Southern birds are resident, whereas northern populations migrate to warmer parts, including northern Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, and Indonesia.

In former days, the North American snowy plover (C. nivosus) and the white-faced plover (C. dealbatus), which breeds along shores of southern China and Vietnam, were regarded as subspecies of Kentish plover. However, since 2011, these birds have been declared separate species.

The specific name alludes to the city of Alexandria in Egypt, where the type specimen was collected.

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name means ‘doubtful’ in Latin, so named in 1776 by French naturalist and explorer Pierre Sonnerat (1748-1814), as he thought that the specimen, which he described the species from, might be a variant of the common ringed plover (C. hiaticula), whose plumage had been altered by climatic influence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin pluvia (‘rain’). According to an old belief it would mean imminent rain, when golden plovers flocked.

The only other member of the genus, the grey plover (P. squatarola), is presented on the page Animals – Birds: Birds in Africa.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘tawny’ or ‘yellowish-brown’, referring to the breeding plumage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was described by German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup (1803-1873). The generic name is derived from kisthos, the classical Greek word for rockroses (Cistus), and the Latin colere (‘to dwell’). Presumably, Kaup observed the zitting cisticola among shrubs of this genus.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘little’ or ‘slender’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin in (‘not’) and ornatus (‘adorned’), alluding to the plain plumage of this bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin sonus (‘noise’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek spilos (‘spot’) and peleia (‘dove’), referring to the white spots on the neck of the spotted dove.

 

It is widely distributed in Asia, from the Indian Subcontinent eastwards to China and Taiwan, and thence southwards through Indochina and Malaysia to Indonesia and the Philippines. 5 subspecies have been described, of which the nominate chinensis is found in Taiwan, where it is one of the commonest birds.

Judy is feeding birds on our balcony, and spotted doves very often come to feed on rice. If there is no rice left, the doves often appear on the other balcony to announce the lack of food, or by cooing coo-coo-coooor, which sounds like: “Where’s my food?”

The specific name is an alternative form of the Latin sinensis, meaning ‘Chinese’ or ‘from China’. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

Some authorities split this species into eastern spotted dove (S. chinensis) and western spotted dove (S. suratensis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek streptos, which literally means ‘twisted’, but in this connection ‘wearing a torque’ (a twisted necklace), alluding to the semi-collar of many members of the genus; and peleia (‘dove’).

Other species, which were formerly placed in this genus, have been moved to the genera Spilopelia (above) and Nesoenas.

 

Previously, Taiwanese birds were regarded as a separate subspecies, orii, which is no longer accepted, but included in the nominate race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The male is quite distinct, having grey head, black collar on the hind neck, red wings, and reddish breast, which has given rise to the name of the species. The female is brownish, also with a black collar.

The specific name means ‘from Tranquebar’, a former Danish colony on the east coast of South India, in present-day Tamil Nadu. Presumably, the type specimen of the red turtle dove was collected here. This area is presented on the page Culture: Entrances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many members of the family are presented on the page Animals – Birds: Corvids.

 

The generic name is the classical Latin word for the common raven (C. corax).

Previously, jackdaws were also placed in this genus. Following genetic research, they have been moved to a separate genus, Coloeus.

 

In its widest sense, including the two splits, this bird is found from Afghanistan and the entire Indian Subcontinent eastwards to south-eastern Siberia (Ussuriland) and Japan, and thence southwards through Indochina and the Philippines to Indonesia. It lives in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, rocky areas, cultivated land, and along rivers.

In the major part of this area, it is often encountered near human habitation, but not so in Taiwan, where it mainly lives in forests at moderate elevations.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek macros (‘long’) and rhynkhos (‘bill’).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek oura (‘tail’) and kissa, originally kitta, which was the classical Greek name of the common jay (Garrulus glandarius), but may also mean ‘magpie’. The word pie is of Indo-European origin, meaning ‘pointed’, referring to the long, pointed tail of these birds.

 

In 1544, when the Portuguese first saw Taiwan from the sea, they named it Formosa (‘beautiful’). Since then many plants and animals, which were described from specimens collected on the island, were named various forms of this word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third species, Clark’s nutcracker (N. columbiana), lives in western North America. It is presented on the page Animals – Birds: Birds in the United States and Canada.

The most important food item for these birds is seeds of various pines (Pinus), which they break open with their powerful bill. This fact is reflected by the generic name, which is derived from the Latin nuci (‘nut’) and frango (‘to break’).

When pine nuts are abundant, they make caches of surplus seeds, storing as many as 30,000 in a single season. They are able to remember the location of as many as about 70% of their stash, even when buried in snow. They often store the nuts far away from where they were collected, and are thus important in re-establishing forests in logged or burned areas. (Source: D.F. Tomback 2016, in Why birds matter: avian ecological function and ecosystem services, edited by Sekercioglu, Wenny & Whelan, University of Chicago Press)

In regions without pine trees, seeds of spruce (Picea) and hazel (Corylus) form an important part of the diet.

 

The plumage of this bird is quite variable, and as many as 9 subspecies have been described. Subspecies owstoni is fairly common in coniferous forests in high regions of Taiwan.

The specific name has the same meaning as the generic name, but is derived from Ancient Greek karyon (‘nut’) and kataseio (‘to shatter’).

 

 

 

 

 

However, following genetic research it has been suggested that the former black-billed magpie should be split into a number of separate species, the Eurasian magpie (P. pica), the Maghreb magpie (P. mauritanica) of North Africa, the Asir magpie (P. asirensis) of south-western Saudi Arabia, the Oriental magpie (P. serica, see below), the black-rumped magpie (P. bottanensis) of west-central China and the north-eastern Himalaya, and the black-billed magpie (P. hudsonia) of western North America. They are all very much alike, so why this split was made is a mystery to me, and I prefer to regards these magpies as subspecies of a single species.

The generic name is the classical Latin name of the magpie, derived from the Latin picata, which, strictly speaking, means ‘smeared with tar’, but in a wider sense ‘black-and-white’.

The word pie is of Indo-European origin, meaning ‘pointed’, in this case no doubt referring to the long, pointed tail of these birds. The prefix mag dates from the 16th Century, a short form of the name Margaret, which was a term used for women in general. The call of the bird was likened to the chattering of women, and so it was called mag-pie. (Source: etymonline.com/word/magpie)

 

The specific name is either from the Latin Seres, a term for northern Chinese people, and the suffix‎ icus, thus ‘of the Chinese’, or from Ancient Greek serikos (‘silken’), maybe alluding to the silky sheen of the plumage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These birds feed mainly on large insects and other invertebrates, and on various fruits, but are also notorious plunderers of eggs and young from smaller birds’ nests.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek dendron (‘tree’) and kissa, which was the classical Greek name of the common jay (Garrulus glandarius), but also refers to magpies in general. The word pie is of Indo-European origin, meaning ‘pointed’, referring to the long, pointed tail of these birds.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘blue’.

Naturally, this iconic bird is widely represented in Taiwanese folk art. Some examples are shown on the page Culture: Folk art of Taiwan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was previously regarded as being conspecific with the Himalayan cuckoo (C. saturatus).

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘welcome’ or ‘wished for’, from optare (‘to choose’ or ‘to desire’). Presumably, the return of this bird in spring was a very welcome sign of warmer weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is possibly derived from Ancient Greek dikaion, which is supposedly an Indian bird, mentioned by Roman author Claudius Aelianus (c. 175-235 A.D.).

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘very small’, a diminutive of minus (‘less’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek dikros (‘forked’) and oura (‘tail’), referring to the forked tail of these birds.

In Australia, the common name is slang for foolish or stupid people. It stems back from the 1920s, when an Australian racehorse, which was apparently named after the bird, never won a race during its active 5 years, and the word was transferred to any slow-witted or clumsy person. This can by no means apply to the clever and agile drongos!

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘of a bronze colour’, derived from aes or aeris (‘bronze’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The black drongo lives in open areas, where it catches flying insects from a prominent perch, such as an electric wire or a bare branch. As its name implies, the plumage of this species is jet-black, with very little sheen.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek macros (‘long’) and kerkos (‘tail’).

Previously, it was regarded as conspecific with the African fork-tailed drongo, which is today treated as a separate species, D. adsimilis.

The pictures below are all from Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A large number of these birds are in the pet trade, and many of them have escaped to form feral populations. 3 species are indigenous to Taiwan, whereas 5 pet species have established themselves locally.

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek eu (‘good’) and odikos (‘musical’ or ‘singing’).

 

The specific name refers to the Malabar Coast in India, stretching from Mumbai southwards to the southern tip of the peninsula. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek lonkhe (‘spear-head’ or ‘lance’) and oura (‘tail’), alluding to the pointed tail of some members of the genus.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘spotted’ or ‘dotted’, derived from punctum (‘point’ or ‘small spot’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name alludes to the pale brown streaks on the upperside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The genus Eophona contains only two species, Chinese grosbeak (below) and Japanese grosbeak (E. personata), the latter distributed in the same areas as the Chinese grosbeak, but also breeding in Japan and on Sakhalin. It is a heavier bird with a black mask, lacking the black tip of the bill. It is a very rare visitor to Taiwan.

This genus was described in 1851 by British ornithologist and bird artist John Gould (1804-1881). The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek eos (‘dawn’) and phone (‘to shout’ or ‘to cry’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Latin word for finches, derived from frigutio (‘I chirp’).

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin mons (‘mountain’) and fringilla (‘finch’). The common name is derived from bramble (‘a thorny shrub’) and ling, an old name of heather (Calluna vulgaris), of Norse origin. This bird mainly feeds on the ground, so the name is not very appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek pyr (‘fire’), and the Latin ulus, a suffix indicating something small, thus ‘a small fire’, naturally alluding to the red or reddish colour of the males of several species of the genus.

 

It was described from Nepal in 1836 by English naturalist and ethnologist Brian Houghton Hodgson (1801-1894), who worked in India and Nepal. He described numerous species of birds and mammals from the Himalaya, and many plants and animals are named after him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Europe, the term swallow is mainly used for species with forked tails, martin mainly for species with squarish tails. In America, however, the term martin is reserved for members of the genus Progne.

 

The genus may be named for Kekropia, a mythical king of Athens. Jobling (2010) mentions Kekropis, a woman from Athens, without further explanation.

 

The nominate subspecies, which is a rather common resident in the lowlands of Taiwan, is extremely similar to race japonica of the red-rumped swallow, which breeds in eastern China, Korea, and Japan, and is a common migrant in Taiwan. Striated tends to be a little larger and with less rufous on crown and cheeks, but the two species are very difficult to separate in the field. To me, it is a bit of a mystery why they are not regarded as a single species.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Latin name of these birds.

 

Four subspecies are migratory, spending the winter as far south as South Africa, northern Australia, and Argentina. The birds may be seen year-round in southern Mexico, southern Iberian Peninsula, Egypt, the Himalaya, southern China, and Taiwan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘rural’, derived from ruris (‘countryside’). In his Historiæ animalium, Liber III, published in 1555, Swiss physician and naturalist Konrad Gessner (1516-1565) calls the bird Hirundo domestica, from the Latin domus (‘house’). The barn swallow mostly builds its nest on or inside buildings, very often in stables or barns – hence its common name.

Subspecies gutturalis is a common summer visitor in Taiwanese cities, and some birds are resident. The pictures below all show this subspecies, photographed in the city of Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It may be told from the barn swallow (above) by its shorter outer tail feathers, the greyish, checkered vent, and lack of black breast band.

Previously, birds in southern India and Sri Lanka were included in this species, but are now regarded as a separate species, called hill swallow (H. domicola).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin ripa (‘riverbank’), alluding to the preferred breeding habitat of these birds.

 

The grey-throated martin is found in open habitats, usually near water. It is common in the lowlands of Taiwan.

The specific name is an alternative form of the Latin sinensis, meaning ‘Chinese’ or ‘from China’. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

 

 

 

 

Previously, the family was much larger, encompassing bushshrikes, puffbacks, tchagras, boubous, and helmetshrikes. However, genetic research has shown that these groups are not closely related to shrikes. As a consequence, bushshrikes, puffbacks, tchagras, and boubous have been moved to the family Malaconotidae, helmetshrikes to the family Vangidae.

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin lanio (‘butcher’), derived from laniare (‘tearing to pieces’). Shrikes were formerly known as ‘butcher-birds’, referring to their habit of storing prey by impaling it on thorns and sharp twigs, thus resembling a butcher’s slaughterhouse. The name shrike stems from Old English scric, alluding to their call.

 

The brown shrike spends the winter in warmer parts of Asia. The pictures below show subspecies lucionensis, which is a common migrant and winter visitor in Taiwan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘crested’ – not an appropriate name for this bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name is onomatopoeic, applied to the long-tailed shrike in 1757 by Swedish explorer and naturalist Pehr Osbeck (1723-1805), who was an apostle of the famous Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). In 1750-1752, he travelled on board the Prins Carl to Asia, where he spent four months studying flora, fauna, and culture in the Canton region of southern China. Returning home, he contributed more than 600 plant species to Linnaeus’ Species Plantarum, published in 1753. In 1757, he published an account of his work in China, called Dagbok öfwer en Ostindisk resa åren 1750, 1751, 1752: Med anmårkningar uti naturkunnigheten, främmande folkslags språk, seder, hushållning, m.m. (‘Diary of a Journey to the East Indies 1750, 1751, 1752: with comments on natural history, and language, customs, household etc. of foreign peoples’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek khelidonios (‘swallow-like’), from khelidon (‘swallow’), referring to the elegant flying style of these terns.

 

The specific name, meaning ‘hybrid’ in Latin, was applied by Prussian naturalist Peter Simon Pallas (1741-1811), who presumed that the bird he shot was a hybrid between white-winged tern (C. leucoptera) and common tern (Sterna hirundo).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin ridere (‘to laugh’), referring to one of its calls, ke-ke-ke, mostly heard in the breeding colonies. The common name is not very appropriate, as the head (in the breeding plumage) is not black, but a dark chocolate brown.

 

 

 

 

 

In Taiwan, the Caspian tern is a rather common migrant and winter visitor. It is often encountered in wetlands along the west coast, where several hundred birds are sometimes gathered.

The generic name is Greek, meaning ‘water-swallow’, alluding to the graceful flight of most terns. However, I must say that the name is not very well chosen for the Caspian tern, which is probably the least swallow-like among terns!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is a Latinized version of laros, the classical Greek name for a kind of seabird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Old English stearn, which appears in the poem The Seafarer, from the 10th Century. A similar word was used for these birds by the Frisians, whereas the Scandinavians used, and still use, the word terne (Danish and Norwegian) or tärna (Swedish).

 

It spends the winter along coasts from about 20^o northern latitude southwards to southern South America, Africa, and Australia. Subspecies longipennis is rather common on passage in Taiwan, scarce in winter.

The specific name is the Latin name of swallows. It dates back to the 1600s, where the bird was called Hirundo marina (‘sea-swallow’) by English ornithologist and ichthyologist Francis Willughby (1635-1672). The name alludes to the elegant flight of terns.

 

 

 

 

 

In the past, these genera all belonged to the family Timaliidae, which constituted a true ‘waste-bin of systematics’, in which hundreds of bird species were placed. Today, most of these species have been moved to other families.

The Asian members of the family live in a wide range of habitats, from humid tropical rainforests to rather cold areas in China, Taiwan, and the Himalaya.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek heteros (‘different’, in this connection ‘varied’) and phasis (‘appearance’). It is not clear what it refers to.

 

The specific name is an adjective form of the Latin auris (‘ear’), alluding to the white tufts on the side of the head.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek leios (‘smooth’) and kikhle (‘thrush’). It is not clear what it refers to.

 

The specific name honours American professor and ornithologist Joseph Beale Steere (1842-1940), who collected birds in the Philippines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of today, the genus contains 23 species, distributed from the Indian Subcontinent eastwards to southern China and Taiwan, and thence southwards to Indonesia.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek pteron (‘feather’) and rhinos (‘nose’), alluding to the feathered nostrils of these birds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek trokhos (‘wheel’) and pteron (‘wing’), alluding to the short rounded wings of these birds.

 

The specific name refers to Mount Morrison, today called Yu Shan (‘Jade Mountain’), at 3952 m the highest mountain in the Far East. Originally, this mountain was named for Robert Morrison (1782-1834), a Scottish Protestant missionary, who worked in Macao, Guangdong, and the Malaccan Peninsula.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These colourful, small to medium-sized birds were formerly placed in the family Capitonidae, which also included New World barbets and African barbets, but the Asian species have been found to be distinctive and now constitute a separate family, with African barbets (Lybiidae) and toucans (Ramphastidae) as sister groups.

The generic name Psilopogon is derived from Ancient Greek psilos (‘bare’) and pogon (‘beard’).

The name barbet is derived from French barbe (‘beard’ or ‘long hair of certain animals’), alluding to the bristles around the bill of these birds.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘of the nape’. It is not clear what it refers to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the Ancient Greek name of an unidentified bird, mentioned by comic-writer Aristophanes (c. 446-386 B.C.).

 

The azure-blue colour of the male gave rise to the specific name. It also has a distinctive black patch on the crown and a narrow black stripe across the throat. The female has brownish wings and lacks the black markings of the male.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greek scientist and philosopher Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) mentions anthos, a small, brightly coloured bird, and Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (23-79 A.D.) mentions anthus, both maybe referring to the yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava).

In Greek mythology, Anthos, son of Antinous and Hippodamia, was trampled to pieces by his father’s horses. The gods transformed him into a bird, which would imitate the neighing of a horse, but always fled from the sight of horses. Perhaps Aristotle had noticed wagtails taking off because of horses.

 

In winter, it migrates to the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, southern China, southern Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and northern Borneo. It is quite common in Taiwan in winter and on passage.

This species is similar to the Eurasian tree pipit (A. trivialis), but its back is more olive-tinged, and it has a broader supercilium.

The specific name commemorates English naturalist and ethnologist Brian Houghton Hodgson (1801-1894), who worked in India and Nepal. He described numerous species of birds and mammals from the Himalaya, and many plants and animals are named after him.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Latin name of the white wagtail (below). It is derived from motare (‘to move’ or ‘to shake’), and the diminutive suffix illa, thus ‘the little shaker’, alluding to the tail of the white wagtail always bobbing up and down. However, some time during the Middle Ages the erroneous belief arose that cilla meant ‘tail’.

 

Subspecies leucopsis, called Amur wagtail, is a rather uncommon breeding bird in Taiwan, but a common winter visitor. It may be identified by the white face and the jetblack back of the male. The female is similar, although the back is a tiny bit more brownish.

Subspecies ocularis, which breeds in eastern Siberia and western Alaska, is a rather uncommon winter visitor to Taiwan. It is very similar to Amur wagtail, but has grey back, black throat, and a faint black stripe through the eye.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘white’.

All the pictures below are from Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Taiwan, where subspecies melanope breeds in the lower hills, it is common in winter along streams and canals in the lowlands.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘ash-grey’, derived from cineris (‘ashes’). A strange named for this mainly yellow bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four subspecies are presently recognized, the nominate tschutschensis, found from southern Siberia and Mongolia eastwards to Alaska, plexa, which breeds in northern Siberia, macronyx, breeding from eastern Mongolia eastwards to Manchuria and south-eastern Siberia (Ussuriland), and taivana, which is found from Ussuriland southwards to northern China and northern Japan. The latter is a fairly common winter visitor to Taiwan.

The specific name refers to the Chukotka Peninsula in eastern Siberia.

 

 

 

 

 

Today, the family includes about 51 genera with c. 324 species, widely distributed in Africa and Eurasia. The family name is derived from the Latin musca (‘a fly’) and capere (‘to catch’).

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek kopsykhos, meaning ‘blackbird’ (Turdus merula).

 

The specific name refers to the Malabar Coast of South India, where the type specimen was collected.

By many authorities, this bird is called Kittacincla malabarica. The popular name shama is the Bengali and Hindi name of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It lives in open forest, secondary growth, and gardens, found in the major part of the Indian Subcontinent, from Indochina eastwards to central and eastern China, and thence southwards to Indonesia. It is the national bird of Bangladesh.

In Taiwan, it occurs as a native on the Kinmen Islands, and has also been introduced to the Taiwanese mainland, where it is fairly common in urban areas.

In his 3-volmue work A natural history of birds : illustrated with a hundred and one copper plates, curiously engraven from the life (1731-1738), English naturalist and illustrator Eleazar Albin (c. 1690-1742) calls this bird Dial Bird or Bengall Magpie. The former name alludes to the Hindi name of the bird, dayal. Some authorities have suggested that when Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) included it in his Systema Naturæ in 1758, he named it Gracula saularis, misunderstanding Albin’s name, thinking it had something to do with a sun dial. He then meant to call it Gracula solaris (solaris, ‘of the sun’), but by mistake wrote saularis instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek henikos (‘singular’) and oura (‘tail’), alluding to the forked tail.

 

The specific name was given in honour of Scottish physician and naturalist John Scouler (1804-1871), who made several travels, one 1824-26 on board a Hudson Bay Company ship, bound for the Columbia River, which anchored at Madeira, Rio de Janeiro, and the Galapagos Islands on the way. His companion was the celebrated botanist David Douglas (1799-1834), who taught Scouler a great deal of botany. A second journey was on board a merchant vessel, bound for Calcutta, making stops at Cape Horn and Madras in southern India.

The interesting, albeit short life of David Douglas is related on the page Plants – Ancient and huge trees: Pseudotsuga menziesii.

 

 

 

 

 

Most species live in montane or rocky areas, reflected in the generic name, derived from the Latin mons (‘mountain’) and colere (‘to dwell’).

Despite the thrush-like appearance of these birds, genetic research has shown that they are in fact ground-living flycatchers.

 

In winter, it is found in a vast area, around the Mediterranean, in Ethiopia, from Arabia across southern Iran and the Indian Peninsula to southern and eastern China, Korea, and Japan, and thence southwards to the Philippines and Java.

The eastern subspecies philippensis differs quite a lot from the other races in that the belly of the male is chestnut-coloured. It may merit specific status. It is a rare breeding bird in Taiwan, but a fairly common winter visitor. Subspecies pandoo, in which the male is dark blue or slaty-blue, is a rare visitor to the island.

The specific name dates back to English naturalist John Ray (1627-1705) who, in 1678, called it the ‘Solitary Sparrow’, making this comment: “It is wont to sit alone on the tops of ancient Edifices and Roofs of Churches, singing most sweetly, especially in the Morning, whence it took its name.” (Source: Jobling, 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek myia (‘fly’) and mela (‘having an interest in’).

 

Male and female have very different plumages, the male being dark blue with pale-blue forehead and wing coverts, and a black tail with a large white spot at the base of each side. The female is brown with a whitish throat, and its tail has a pattern similar to that of the male.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek leukos (‘white’) and oura (‘tail’).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek myia (‘fly’) and phoneus (‘slayer’), from phonos (‘murder’). The common name alludes to the call of the blue whistling-thrush (M. caeruleus), a sharp, piercing note, which can be heard far away.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘of an island’.

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named by English naturalist and ethnologist Brian Houghton Hodgson (1801-1894), who worked in India and Nepal. He described numerous species of birds and mammals from the Himalaya, and many plants and animals are named for him. The word niltava is a corruption of niltau, the Nepalese name of the rufous-bellied niltava (N. sundara).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek phoinix (‘crimson’) and oura (‘tail’), like the English name referring to the red tail of these birds. Start is an old word for tail.

 

Like most other redstarts, the Daurian redstart is strongly sexually dimorphic, males having red breast, belly, and tail, black face, throat, and back, greyish crown and nape, and a prominent white wing-patch, whereas females are pale brown with an orange-red tail, and, like the male, a prominent white wing-patch.

The specific name is a modification of the Latin aurora (‘dawn’), in this connection meaning ‘eastern’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Tajikistan and Afghanistan along the Himalaya to Bangladesh, Indochina, most of China, and Taiwan, living exclusively along fast-flowing streams and often seen perched on a rock, from where it takes off to snap some bypassing insect.

The specific name is derived from the Latin fuligo (‘soot’) and ous (‘prone to’), alluding to the slaty-black colour of the male.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek tarsos (‘tarsus’, ‘shank’, ‘flat of the foot’), and the Latin ger (‘bearing’), presumably alluding to the very long tarsus of these birds.

 

The male is a striking bird, having blackish head, back, and tail, with a long white eyebrow and a bright red collar, which stretches down on the scapulars. The female is brown with reddish breast and a faint white eyebrow.

The specific name was given in honour of Mrs. Marion Johnstone, a well-known British aviculturist, who was the first person to breed the Mindanao lorikeet (Trichoglossus johnstoniae) in captivity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later studies found that parrotbills were not at all related to tits, and, together with the bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus), they were moved to a separate family, Paradoxornithidae (‘paradoxical birds’), which was placed near the timalids (Timaliidae). The bearded reedling has since been moved to a family of its own, Panuridae.

Recent genetic research has had the effect that a number of birds, which were previously placed in Timaliidae, have been moved to Paradoxornithidae, including some fulvettas, formerly of the genus Alcippe, now Fulvetta (below). Other fulvettas, which were retained in Alcippe, have been moved to the family Alcippeidae (below).

Today, Paradoxornithidae contains about 16 genera with c. 37 species of small to medium-sized birds.

 

The generic name is a diminutive of the Latin fulvus (‘tawny’ or ‘yellowish-brown’), thus ‘a small tawny bird’.

 

In 1544, when the Portuguese first saw Taiwan from the sea, they named it Formosa (‘beautiful’). Since then many plants and animals, which were described from specimens collected on the island, were named various forms of this word.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is a combination of sino, from Ancient Greek sinai (‘Chinese’), and the genus name Suthora (parrotbills), the Nepalese name for the black-throated parrotbill (S. nipalensis).

 

The Taiwanese subspecies bulomacha is fairly common in the lowlands, but is not often seen due to its skulking habits. It is much paler than the mainland subspecies and lacks the vinous throat (sic!). It probably merits specific status.

The specific name was given in honour of English botanist Philip Barker-Webb (1793-1854), who collected plants in Morocco, the Canary Islands, and Brazil. His results from the Canary Islands were published in 9 volumes in 1840, titled Histoire Naturelle des Iles Canaries (‘Natural History of the Canary Islands’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The name titmouse can be traced back to the 14th Century, composed of the words tit, which denotes something small, and the Old English name for these birds, mase, from Proto-Germanic maison, which is also the source of the German name Meise, the Danish and Norwegian mejse, and the Swedish mes.

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek makhlos (‘luxuriant’) and lophos (‘crest’), alluding to the large crest of 4 out of the 5 species.

 

The specific name honours Swedish naturalist P.A. Holst, who collected birds in Taiwan and the Bonin Islands around 1889.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin mons (‘mountain’) and colere (‘to dwell’).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is a combination of two genus names, Sitta (nuthatches) and Parus.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘with a chestnut belly’.

 

 

 

 

Despite their name, snowfinches of the genera Montifringilla, Onychostruthus, and Pyrgilauda are not finches, but members of the sparrow family.

 

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘belonging to mountains’, from mons (‘mountain’). An odd name for this bird, which is very common in lowlands.

All pictures below are from the city of Taichung. Other pictures, depicting this species, are shown on the page Animals: Urban animal life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerous cormorant species are presented on the pages Fishing and Silhouettes.

 

 

In the 1800s, this species was persecuted all over Europe, partly because it was competing with fishermen, partly because its guano destroyed the trees, in which it was breeding. The complete contrast to this persecution is seen in the Far East, where fishermen, for thousands of years, have been using tamed great cormorants for fishing. Pictures, depicting this practice, are found on the page Fishing.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘charcoal’, naturally alluding to the colour of this bird.

The pictures below are all from the Aogu Wetlands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a result of genetic research, two groups, which were previously included in this family, have been moved to separate families, guineafowl to Numididae, and New World quails to Odontophoridae.

 

The generic name is Latin, meaning ‘dwelling among bamboo’, from the generic name Bambusa, derived from bambu, the Malay word for bamboo, and the Latin colere (‘to dwell’).

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin sonorus (‘loud’) and vox (‘voice’).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek lophos (‘crest’) and oura (‘tail’), alluding to the crest and large tail of these birds.

 

To lure this colourful bird closer, many Taiwanese photographers strew maize or other food items near roads or trails, often causing it to become remarkably tame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is a combination of the Ancient Greek iynx (‘wryneck’) and the Latin picus (‘woodpecker’), probably alluding to their small size.

 

Subspecies kaleensis is quite common in the Taiwanese lowlands, also in city parks.

The specific name is derived from the Latin canus (‘grey’), and capillus, which means ‘hair of the head’, but in this connection ‘-capped’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek takhys (‘fast’) and bapto (‘to immerse’), referring to the fact that one moment you see a dabchick, and in the next instant it’s gone.

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin rufus (‘red’) and collum (‘neck’), referring to the red neck of this bird in the breeding plumage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name can be traced back to Historiæ animalium, Liber III, published in 1555 by Swiss physician and naturalist Konrad Gessner (1516-1565). The name was adapted from Braunelle, the German name of the dunnock, a diminutive of braun (‘brown’), thus ‘the small brown’ (bird).

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘collared’, presumably alluding to the grey neck and nape.

 

 

 

 

 

Sub-Saharan members of the family, called greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills, are mainly forest birds, whereas the majority of North African and Asian species live in open areas.

 

Formerly, the black bulbuls of Asia were regarded as subspecies of the Malagasy bulbul (H. madagascariensis), but most authorities now recognize two separate Asian species, the Asian black bulbul (below), which is widely distributed, from north-eastern Afghanistan along the Himalaya to Indochina, China, and Taiwan, and the square-tailed bulbul (H. ganeesa), which is restricted to montane areas of South India and Sri Lanka.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek hypsi (‘high’) and petes (‘flyer’), thus ‘the one that flies high’.

 

Subspecies nigerrimus is endemic to Taiwan, where it is very common in forests and larger urban parks, from the lowlands to mid-elevations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek pyknos (‘thick’ or ‘compact’) and noton (‘back’), applied in 1826 by German zoologist and lawyer Friedrich Boie (1789-1870), who described many new species and several new genera of birds. Presumably, Boie found that these birds were quite compact.

He and his brother Heinrich also described about 50 new species of reptiles.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘Chinese’ or ‘from China’. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

The pictures below are all from the city of Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is quite similar to light-vented bulbul, differing in its pure white breast, black cap, thin moustachial stripe, and a tiny red spot at the base of the bill.

The name Styan’s bulbul commemorates British tea merchant and naturalist Frederic William Styan (1858-1934), who spent 27 years in China.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is a combination of Ancient Greek spiza (‘finch’), and the genus name Ixos, which Dutch zoologist and museum director Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1778-1858) erected in 1825 for certain bulbuls.

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin semi (‘half’) and torques (‘collar’).

The Taiwanese subspecies cinereicapillus was originally described as a separate species in 1871 by British biologist Robert Swinhoe (1836-1877) who, in 1860, became the first European consular representative to Taiwan. He discovered many new species, and four mammals and 15 birds are named after him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Latin word for coot.

 

The common coot is a fairly common winter visitor to Taiwan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘black’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The name mor hen can be traced as far back as the 13th Century, meaning marsh hen, as the word mor in those days referred to marshes, rather than to moorland, which today indicates areas with heather (Calluna vulgaris) and other plants of dry, poor soils.

The generic name is Latin for ‘little hen’.

 

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek khloros (‘green’) and pous (‘foot’).

In the Americas, this species is replaced by the similar common gallinule (G. galeata), which was formerly regarded as a subspecies of the moorhen. It is described on the page Animals – Birds: Birds in the United States and Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first part of the generic name is derived from the Latin amentum, a leather strap, which was attached to a javelin, used in ancient Greek athletics, hunting, and warfare. This strap helped to increase the range and stability of the javelin in flight. (Source: E. Gardiner 1907. Throwing the Javelin. The Journal of Hellenic Studies, 27: 249-273)

The second part of the name is derived from Ancient Greek pous (‘foot’). Thus, Himantopus may be translated as ‘strap-leg’, which of course refers to the very long, thin legs of these birds.

 

The male is usually a little larger than the female, with black wings and back, often with a greenish sheen, whereas back and wings of the female are dark slate-coloured. Head and neck can be pure white, but have more or less extended parts of dark on many birds. Immature birds, up to one year old, have more greyish legs, but are difficult to distinguish from adults.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin recurvus (‘curved backwards’) and rostrum (‘bill’), referring to the up-curved bill of these birds, an adaptation to ‘skim’ the surface of the water in search of tiny animals. The common name derives from a Proto-Italian word, which, allegedly, was the name of the pied avocet (below).

 

The specific name is explained above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek aktites (‘living on the coast’), from akte (‘coast’).

 

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek hypo (‘beneath’) and leukos (‘white’), referring to the whitish belly of this species.

In the Nukumanu Islands of Papua New Guinea, the common sandpiper is called matakakoni, meaning ‘the bird that walks a little, then copulates’, referring to the habit of this bird of pumping its hind body up and down while foraging. (Source: D.W. Hadden, 2004. Birds of the northern atolls of the North Solomons Province of Papua New Guinea. Notornis. 51 (2): 91-102)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was applied to the green sandpiper (below) by Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522-1599), who was the founder of the botanical garden of Bologna – one of the first of its kind. The name is derived from trungas, the classical Greek term for a thrush-sized, tail-bobbing wading bird, mentioned by Greek scientist and philosopher Aristotle (384-322 B.C.).

 

It differs from the green sandpiper (below) by having longer, greenish legs, and the back is heavily mottled. In flight, it sometimes emits a loud yif-if-if.

The specific name is a diminutive of the Latin glarea (‘gravel’), thus ‘the one found in small gravel’ (= sand?).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin nebula (‘mist’). It refers to a Norwegian name of the bird, skoddeføll (‘fog-foal’), alluding to its foggy, marshy habitat, and to its call, which was likened to whinnying.

 

 

 

 

 

It is widely distributed, breeding from Norway, Denmark, and Germany eastwards across the Siberian taiga belt to the Sea of Okhotsk, wintering in western and southern Europe, large parts of Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, southern China, Taiwan, and southern Japan, and thence southwards through Indochina and the Philippines to northern Borneo. Unlike most other sandpipers, it breeds in trees.

This species is passing through Taiwan on migration, and some spend the winter here. However, it is not often seen, as it prefers freshwater habitats, including small ponds and vegetated streams.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek okhros (‘pale yellow’ or ‘ochre-coloured’) and pous (‘foot’).

 

 

 

 

 

Around the North Sea and the Mediterranean, birds are resident. Other populations are migratory, wintering in northern Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, and Indonesia. In Taiwan, it is common on passage, rare in winter.

The specific name is derived from totano, the Italian name for this bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek sitte, a bird like a woodpecker, mentioned by Greek grammarian Hesychius of Alexandria (5th or 6th Century A.D.), and also by Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle (384-322 B.C.).

 

In Taiwan, subspecies formosana is fairly common in forests at medium altitudes.

 

 

 

 

 

Many species have been introduced elsewhere, including North America, Hawaii, and New Zealand. They often compete with native birds, and many are regarded as invasive species, especially the common myna (below), and in North America the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris), described on the pages Nature: Invasive species, and Animals – Birds: Birds in the United States and Canada.

In Taiwan, 16 species of this family have been observed, many of which, however, are escaped cage birds.

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek akridos (‘locust’) and theras (‘hunter’). When locusts or grasshoppers are abundant, starlings and mynas gorge themselves on these insects. An example is described on the page People: Pehr Forsskål – brilliant Swedish scientist.

 

The crested myna used to be fairly common in the lowlands of Taiwan, but has declined due to competition with escaped Javan and common mynas (both described below). It may be told from those species by its blackish plumage, red eye, pale yellow bill, and a larger tuft at the base of the bill.

The specific name is a diminutive of the Latin cristatus (‘crested’), thus ‘with a small crest’ – although the ‘crest’ (the tuft at the base of the bill) is larger than that of the Javan myna (below).

The pictures below are all from Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, the Javan myna is very common in Taiwan, where it outcompetes local bird species, especially the native crested myna (above). Judy’s mother used to call these birds ‘gangsters’ due to their aggressiveness when chasing other birds away from bird feeders. On the other hand, on several occasions I have seen them eating peacefully together with other bird species (see picture under Aplonis panayensis below).

The pictures below are all from Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The common myna was originally a woodland bird, but has adapted very well to agricultural as well as urban environments. Escaped cage birds have established feral populations in numerous other countries, including South Africa, Madagascar, several Arabian states, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. Like the Javan myna, it is a common escape in lowland Taiwan.

In many places, it has become a pest, which expels native birds, especially in Australia, where it has been called “a most important problem”. The IUCN Species Survival Commission has declared it one of the world’s most invasive species and a threat to “biodiversity, agriculture, and human interests”.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘sad’ or ‘gloomy’. Apparently, Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), who named the bird in 1766, found its plumage rather drab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek haplo-os (‘simple’ or ‘plain’) and ornis (‘bird’). The genus was instigated by British ornithologist and bird artist John Gould (1804-1881) in 1836, but he made a spelling mistake. Later, he suggested the name Aplornis, but according to the rules of nomenclature, the first instigated name has priority. The name refers to the simple structure of these birds, and Gould also wrote: “It may also be distinguished by the want of the splendid colouring so remarkable in Lamprotornis.” (A genus of African starlings, presented on the page Animals – Birds: Birds in Africa).

 

The plumages of adult and immature birds are strikingly different, adults being glossy greenish-blue, whereas young birds are dark-grey with brownish-white, heavily streaked underside. Both adults and immatures have bright reddish-brown eyes.

The specific name refers to Panay Island in the Philippines, where the type specimen was collected.

The pictures below are all from Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from graculus, the Latin word for the jackdaw, and pica, the Latin word for the magpie, originally from picata, which, strictly speaking, means ‘smeared with tar’, but in a wider sense ‘black-and-white’, thus ‘the jackdaw-like, black-and-white bird’, alluding to the pied plumage of these birds.

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin niger (‘black’) and collum (‘neck’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the genus name Sturnus, in which these birds were formerly placed. Some authorities still regard them as belonging there.

 

Most authorities now regard blythii as a separate species, the Malabar starling (S. blythii), which has a white head and upper breast, contrasting sharply with an orange-reddish belly and grey back.

However, subspecies nemoricola also looks very different from malabarica, as it is mainly a grey bird without chestnut underparts or tail, only having pale reddish-brown undertail, and sometimes also vent and belly. In my opinion, it also merits specific status. Chestnut-tailed starling is a very bad name for it. Grey starling would be much better.

It is fairly common in the Taiwanese lowland, but some authorities regard the population as feral. The pictures below are all from Taichung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek platea (‘broad’), alluding to the broad bill.

 

From an estimated number as high as 10,000, the population plummeted to a low of 288 individuals in 1988. Since then, conservation efforts have caused the population to increase to about 6,000 individuals in 2022. With a total of about 3,800 birds, Taiwan is the most important wintering area for this species.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘smaller’ (than), in this case smaller than the Eurasian spoonbill (P. leucorodia).

Naturally, this iconic bird is also represented in Taiwanese folk art. Some examples are shown on the page Culture: Folk art of Taiwan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek threskeia (‘religious worship’) and ornis (‘bird’), alluding to the sanctity of the sacred ibis (below).

 

It was common in Ancient Egypt, but has since become extinct. It was venerated as a symbol of the god of knowledge, Thoth, which is often depicted with the head of an ibis.

Today, the sacred ibis is a common and popular species in zoological gardens worldwide. It often escapes, and populations in the wild have been established in France, Italy, Spain, the Canary Islands, Florida, Taiwan, and elsewhere. These populations are a great threat to many other birds, competing for nesting sites with cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), little egret (Egretta garzetta) and other species. Ibises are predators, which can ravage colonies of terns and other birds by eating their eggs and young.

Strictly speaking, the specific name means ‘from Ethiopia’. However, in the old days the word had a much broader meaning, including most of Tropical Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek pomatos (‘cover’) and rhinos (‘nostrils’), alluding to the nostrils of these birds being covered in feathers.

 

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘musical’, alluding to the varied song of this bird.

Previously, this bird was regarded as a subspecies of the streak-breasted scimitar babbler (P. ruficollis), which is distributed from eastern Nepal and Bangladesh eastwards to southern China and Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The word thrush is derived from Old English throstle, from Proto-Germanic þrustlō, an ancient name for the song thrush (Turdus philomelos). In Old Saxon, þrustlō became throsla, in German Drossel. The latter name was adopted by the Danes, whereas the Swedes use the name trast for these birds, and the Norwegians trost.

A number of thrush species are dealt with on the page Animals – Birds: Thrushes.

 

The generic name is the classical Latin word for thrush.

 

The brown-headed thrush is a common migrant and winter visitor to Taiwan.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek khrysos (‘gold’) and laios (‘thrush’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The adult male is a very pretty bird, with black back and breast band, reddish belly, and pure white head, whereas the female has brown back and crown, buffy eye stripe, reddish breast and belly, and whitish throat.

The specific name is derived from the Latin nix (‘snow’) and ceps (‘-headed’), alluding to the snow-white head of the male.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek zoon (‘animal’) and theras (‘hunter’), referring to the feeding habit of these thrushes, searching for invertebrates on the forest floor.

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin aureus (‘golden’). Presumably, this name refers to the wings and back of this bird, although they are more brownish than golden. The common name commemorates English naturalist Gilbert White (1720-1793), who is best known for his book Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, first published in 1789.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The white-bellied erpornis is widely distributed in Asia, from the Himalaya eastwards to southern China and Taiwan, and thence southwards through Indochina to northern Sumatra and Borneo. Subspecies griseiloris is fairly common in Taiwan at mid-elevations.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek herpo (‘to creep about’) and ornis (‘bird’), and the specific name also from Greek, from xanthos (‘yellow’) and leukos (‘white’).

 

 

 

 

 

As of today, the family Zosteropidae contains 14 genera with about 139 species, but some experts have pointed out that further studies must be made, before the true relationship of white-eyes with other birds can be determined.

 

The generic name is the Nepalese word for these birds.

 

The specific name is derived from the Latin brunneus (‘brown’) and ceps (‘-headed’), alluding to the brown cap of this bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek zoster (‘girdle’) and ops (‘eye’), referring to the bright white eye-ring of most species.

 

As its name implies, it is native to Japan, and is also found in eastern China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It is one of the commonest birds in the lowlands of Taiwan.

This species has also been introduced to other areas, including Hawaii, where it is outcompeting native species, not the least the spectacular honeycreepers.

The pictures below are all from Taichung.