Welcome to Birding in Taiwan

來臺灣賞鳥 

INTERNATIONAL TAIWAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION 臺灣國際觀鳥協會

Birding in Taiwan - Information about Taiwan, birds, habitats; species accounts, particularly endemics
         
 

   

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Major Sponsors

Wild Bird Federation Taiwan

 

Council of Agriculture, Taiwan

 

Changhua Wild Bird Society

 

 

CPC Corporation, Taiwan

 

Birding in Chung Yo

 

Birding in Matsu

 

Birding in the Southwest Coast of Taiwan

 

Birding in Blue Gate

 

Birding in Taipinshan

 

Government Information Office, Taiwan

 

 Taipei Economic & Cultural Office, San Francisco

 

 

Taiwan is a safe country, with good infrastructure, a strong conservation movement, classic mountain scenery, friendly people, wonderful food, and much to offer visitors.

Come with us to enjoy the birds and culture of Taiwan!

More Bird Tours Info

 

Scheduled Tours

May 5-18, 2008

July 19-20, 2008

Nov 4 -16, 2008

Birding in Taiwan - Information about Taiwan, birds, habitats; species accounts, particularly endemics
 

What's New

Bookmark this site to find the latest news on birding in Taiwan, our bird tours and more.

Taiwan Must Be Included in the  Global Disease Prevention Network

 

Kuo K.K. Art Gallery Updated

 

Birding in Saint Lucia

Jo Ann MacKenzie

During the last week of November, 2007, a Taiwan International Birding Association delegation traveled to Saint Lucia, West Indies, on a mission of “eco-diplomacy,” to assist the government of St. Lucia in producing a bird book specific to St. Lucia.  At present, the birds of St. Lucia are only illustrated in books on the West Indies.  A Birding in St. Lucia website will also be developed to encourage ecotourism for birding.  MORE

 

Birding Story - Terry Wright

 

Liao Pen-shing Art Gallery Updated

 

Birding in Chung Yo

 

THE 39th WORLD SCHOOLCHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION

 

Birds in Taiwan – New Species Account: 

Black-necklaced (Spot-breasted) Scimitar-Babbler,

Golden Parrotbill, Light-vented Bulbul, Plain Flowerpecker, Slaty-legged Crake, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Vivid Niltava, White-backed Woodpecker

 

ITBA in Saint Lucia

 

Owl Art Gallery

 

Birding Story - Hanno Stamm

 

Trip Report:

BIRDING IN TAIWAN October 8–12, 2007

 

Silver-backed Needletail Added

回台灣參加2007年世界海鳥國際會議                      廖純如

 

國際台灣觀鳥協會(International Taiwan birding Association)引進第二次的國際會議(Pacific Seabird conference)2007104日到107曰在鹿港立德飯店舉行。有加拿大、美國、曰本、韓國及台灣國內外人士約两百多人參加。這次由彰化師範大學生物學系、彰化縣政府、台灣國際觀鳥協會、彰化野鳥協會及田秋蓳、楊宗哲、陳憲中三位立法委員共同主辦。地點選在鹿港是因翁金珠縣長任內的承諾。此次彰化縣政府是非常的配合,最賣力的是彰師大生物系主任王瑋龍教授及夫人趙麗玲女士、林宗歧教授及七十多位學生義工,他們的付出奉献安排及全程的服務使會議非常順利進行。彰師大的教授領導有方及學生個個彬彬有禮、熱誠、面帶微笑招待國內外貴賓,給貴賓們留下很好的印象。值得一提,最感動的是颱風即將來臨,學生義工們都沒缺席,颱風登陸的晚上老師為安全考量決定所有學生都住進旅社,學生們非常興奮快樂聚一起。看這羣準老師的盡責任表現,以後將為人師表,可以期待的是台灣青年子弟的福氣。

四日到達會場見到遠從美國及加拿大來的專家學者,尤其見到老朋友更是興奮大家互相擁抱問候暢談。下午學術研討後由彰師大校車載大家去參觀鹿港古蹟,辜家古厝古物古廟,外國朋友們對台灣歷史文物很好奇,不時發問,廖世卿會長,興國及我都變成臨時的解說員。

鳥兒起得早,通常郊外賞鳥活動,都是一大早就開始,五日大颱風柯羅垃襲擊整個台灣,清晨五點風雨就已很大,這些鳥人們還是一樣早上六點風雨無阻的到彰化漢寶濕地賞鳥。

開幕典禮時台灣外交部、觀光局、新聞局、農委會都派人參加,彰化縣副縣長、田秋蓳、楊宗哲立法委員也都全程參與致辭及互贈禮品。後段有非常精彩鳥裝秀,結合創意及環保概念,表現出鳥類生存對大自然重要性的觀念。

幾天來一系列的台、外學者學術研討會,白天晚上分組學術研討對鳥類棲息,遷移的研究報告及環保、風力發電、多篇的論交發表,討論對海鳥的影響等等,內容相當豐富。

彰化縣長設宴款待貴賓,彰師大學生各種才藝表演精彩叫好。晚宴結束後貴賓們紛紛到外面嘗試颱風的威力。颱風登陸時門窗震動之大似乎會將它捲走,很恐佈,還好有驚無險。我們真是很幸運,太久沒此種經驗了。

會議結束後幾天,由台灣國際觀鳥協會台灣的副會長林茂男先生的安排,Dr.Robert Butler Jo Ann Mackenzie及幾位尚未離開台灣的美國朋友、加上廖世卿會長、興國及我,受邀參加元佑公司董事長郭耿光先生的鳥類攝影展開幕。展覽地點在台北新光三越九號舘九樓。郭先生攝影技術之高、攝影圖片之美之多之大,讓人相當震撼,令觀賞者讚美不停,我們有這機會欣賞到,真有眼福。連外國朋友都非常讚賞台灣鳥類的亮麗,我們心想假使能讓這些作品到北美展覽,對台灣的宣傳多好。

透過林茂男先生的關係,我們得到郭先生的允許,若我們大家能找到經費郭先生願意把這些珍貴的鳥類照片給海外社團在各地區展覽,介紹台灣鳥類之美。

陳慧中女士無意中看到展覽也是讚賞不巳,他也覺得這是最好的宣傳題材。我們希望海外各社團若有興趣可共同合作來促成此計劃,用很軟性的NGO組織來介紹台灣並做國民外交,效果是無限的。請看http://birdingintaiwan.org/

The Story of “Krosa” the Dog

 

Birding in the Southwest Coast of Taiwan

 

Birding in Blue Gate

 

Birding in Taipinshan

 

TIBA at the Fair

 

歡迎你來參加2007年, 我的母親舊濁水溪攝影比賽

 

Bev Day, O.W.L. Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, Canada, visits Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute

 

Spring Migration of the Gray-face Buzzard in the Central and Southern Taiwan in 2005

Rare Bird:  Eurasian Eagle Owl

            A Eurasian Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo, appeared from time to time during May and early June, 2007, at the harbor of Kaohsiung.  This is a first record for Taiwan.

            The Eurasian Eagle Owl is one of the world’s largest and most powerful owls; length 58-71 cm (23 -28 inches), and wingspan of 1.53–1.82 m (5–6 feet).  It is widespread but rather rare.  Its breeding range is from Europe eastward across Russia to the Pacific, south to Iran and Pakistan; across to China and Korea.  Its habitat is chiefly remote rocky areas, river valleys, ravines, quarries; but also open forest, Taiga, steppe and semi desert.

 

 

Birds in Taiwan – New Species Account: 

Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler, Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler, Common Snipe, Eurasian Teal

 

Birds in Taiwan – New Species Account : Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon Story 

The Falcons of Kaohsiung Part 1

The Falcons of Kaohsiung Part 2

 

Abstracts of ornithological masters’ theses from Taiwan, 1977–2003

 

 

Birding in Aowanda

 

Invitation to Taiwan to see the rediscovered Chinese Crested Tern!

 

Tsu-Sze Temple, Sanshia

The Tsu-Sze (“Divine Ancestor”) Temple, popularly known as the Sanshia Bird Temple, situated in Sanshia, Taipei County, is one of the most magnificent temples in Taiwan.  It is a Taoist temple, dedicated to Chingshuei TSu-Sze (real name Chen Tsao-Yin), born in China during the Sung Dynasty (960–1279).  He became a famous general and was knighted as “Protector of the Country” for his achievements and valour.   Subsequently, he came to be called Chingshuei Tsu-Sze for establishing the Chingshuei Yan Memorial Temple in Anshi County, China.  Hundreds of years later, when people migrated from that area, they brought a statue of Chingshuei Tsu-Sze with them to enshrine as guardian spirit in a new temple that they constructed in the place known today as Sanshia (Sansia, San-Hsia, San Xia), Taiwan. 

More About Tsu-Sze Temple, Sanshia

 

Birding in Taiwan Breaking News

Ruddy Shelduck at Yilan

 Birding in Taiwan - Ruddy Shelduck

A Ruddy Shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea, was in Yilan County during late November.  This species breeds in Europe, Asia and North Africa, frequenting lakes and rivers in open country. Unusual for a duck, it nests in burrows in banks of small streams, tree cavities or crevices. The European population is declining, but the species is still fairly common in Asia. Most of the Asian population winters from the Middle East through southern China.  Ruddy Shelduck is rare in winter in Taiwan.

Rare Bird:  Nordmann’s Greenshank at Chiku

 

A Nordmann’s Greenshank (Spotted Greenshank), Tringa guttifer was photographed at Chiku, Saturday, Oct. 20, by Liao Pen-shing.    This species closely resembles the more familiar Greenshank, Tringa nebularia, but has characteristically short, stout, yellow or yellowish legs and a heavy, almost straight, distinctly two-toned bill.  In flight, it is like Greenshank with similar dark upperwings and long white wedge from back to uppertail.  It differs in that the tips of the toes only just reach the tail-tip and the white of the underwing and axillaries is unmarked.  It often feeds up to its belly in water.   It breeds in eastern Siberia, and winters in southeast Asia, to the Philippines and Indonesia.  It is classed as “Vagrant” in Taiwan.

First Taiwan-African Heads of State Summit

 

The First Taiwan-African Heads of State Summit meeting was held on September 9, 2007, in Taipei.  The heads of state that led delegations to the summit were:  H. E. Chen Shui-bian, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H. M. King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland, H. E. President Blaise Compaoré of Burkino Faso, H. E. President Fradique Bandiera Melo de Menezes of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, H. E. President Bingu wa Mutharika of the Republic of Malawi and H. E. Mrs. Aja Isatou Nije-Saidy, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia.   

           Following the formal meeting, the group was escorted on a 3-day tour of central Taiwan, including Sun Moon Lake, Nantou County, where President Chen hosted a banquet for leaders and delegates at the Fenisia Hotel on September 10.   While there, Mr. Simon Liao of the INTERNATIONAL TAIWAN  Birding Association presented a Formosan Magpie doll to each head of state. 

          The Formosan Magpie, Urucissa caerulea, is the National Bird of Taiwan.  It is a species endemic to Taiwan, and was chosen as National Bird during a 4-month national poll earlier this year.

中科經驗 非洲友邦都想學

自由時報 2007911 星期二

 

陳水扁總統晚間則於日月潭設宴款待非洲友邦元首,並致贈貴賓台灣國鳥台灣藍鵲布偶。(記者鄭旭凱攝)

〔記者蘇金鳳、徐夏蓮、鄭旭凱、陳信仁/連線報導〕陳水扁總統昨陪同史瓦濟蘭等非洲友邦元首參觀中科管理局,友邦元首對中部科學工業園區在短短十個月又五天便有友達等大廠進駐建廠,都感到不可思議,希望「中科經驗」能移轉到非洲,隨後眾人又前往國立美術館參觀台灣本土畫家的畫展。

「第一屆台非元首高峰會議」前天閉幕,陳水扁總統昨天下午陪同友邦元首史瓦濟蘭國王恩史瓦帝三世、布吉納法索總統龔保雷、聖多美普林西比總統梅尼士及甘比亞副總統賈莎迪等人,坐高鐵到台中參觀陳總統任內的政績中科園區及國美館。

對中科園區開發的高效率,及形成的光電產業與半導體的群聚效應,友邦元首都深感興趣,並希望將中科經驗帶到非洲。由於陳總統已多次視察中科,昨還親自向友邦元首介紹各廠商進駐建廠的時間。

晚間,陳總統在日月潭汎麗雅酒店款宴貴賓,他以汎麗雅酒店在九二一地震後重建再起為例指出,這就是台灣之子的精神,象徵台灣絕不低頭的生命力。

陳總統席間也向各國元首及代表介紹台灣剛選出的國鳥台灣藍鵲,並贈送台灣藍鵲布偶給史瓦濟蘭國王恩史瓦帝三世夫婦等貴賓。

友邦領袖 熱邀台商投資

〔記者范正祥/台北報導〕來台參加第一屆台非元首高峰會的史瓦濟蘭國王恩史瓦帝三世、布吉納法索總統龔保雷、聖多美普林西比總統梅尼士、馬拉威總統莫泰加及甘比亞副總統賈莎迪,昨天聯袂出席二○○七台非進步夥伴論壇,他們在會中致詞時熱情地向台商招手:「來非洲,投資非洲!」

史瓦濟蘭國王恩史瓦帝三世強調,史瓦濟蘭的勞工和人力是最勤勞的,市場在史國也不是問題,稅負等問題也都可以彈性討論,「台灣的企業家只要把設備帶來就可以了」。

馬拉威總統莫泰加指出,馬拉威國土面積大,但運輸還不發達,需要內陸港口、水壩及發電廠,他認為台灣的相關企業可以到馬拉威投資合作,在馬拉威投資的回收比率相當高,「估計可以回收三倍的利益」,歡迎到馬拉威投資。

甘比亞副總統賈莎迪表示,非洲是個很適合投資和觀光的地方,以甘比亞為例,甘比亞是通往非洲的門戶,也有完整的法規,是投資的好地方。

Chinese Crested Tern in Taiwan:  2007 Update

            Good news this year from the Matsu Tern Reserve about Chinese Crested (Matsu) Tern, Thalasseus bernsteinii: 13 have been observed in the Reserve.  Surveys found that there were 4 pairs and 1 chick on Sanlianyu Islet, and 3 pairs and one chick on Shershan (Snake Mountain) Islet, off the west cost of Sijyu Island, Jyuguang Township.  This is the greatest number since 2004, and the second greatest number overall.

            These photographs were taken by Liao Pen-shing on July 22.

History of the Chinese Crested (Matsu) Tern in the Matsu Tern Reserve:

    2000:  12 – 4 pairs, each with 1 chick;

    2001:  1 – adult, disappeared;

    2002:  9 – 3 pairs, each with 1 chick;

    2003:  2 – adults, breeding success unknown;

    2004:  15 – 6 breeding pairs on two islands; 3 chicks observed;

      2005:  2 – adults, breeding success unknown;

      2006:  8 – 2 pairs, 3 chicks, 1 yearling on Sanlianyu Islet.

      2007: 13 – 4 pairs, 1 chick on Sanlianyu Islet; 3 adults, 1 chick on Shershan Islet.

 

96630日王建華與陳登創在蛇山目睹4對黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗及有拍照存證。

96710日王建華在青帆碼頭拍攝到黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗。

 

On June 30th, 2007, Wang Chien-hua and Chen Teng-chuang witnessed and took pictures of 4 pairs of Chinese Crested Tern on Sher Mountain.

On July 10th, 2007, Wang Chien-hua captured a picture of Chinese Crested Tern at Chingfan Port

 

王建華青帆碼頭拍攝到黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗

[馬祖日報] 今年的燕鷗特別多,東莒國小校長王建華表示,近來因為港內小魚多,除增加許多釣魚機會外,許多燕歐從蛇島[蛇山]飛過來覓食,拿起相機也許就有機會拍到神話之鳥。

王建華表示,原先預計出海賞鷗,因為南風浪太大作罷,但聽人說在碼頭有看見黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗芳蹤,於是趁步行之便,一路走到青帆碼頭,拿著像機隨便拍,因為最近港內小魚多,許多燕鷗從蛇島飛過來覓食,胡亂快門中,檢視了一下相片,也許是幸運,竟被我拍到了黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗。

今夏,也許您不用搭船到蛇島[蛇山]賞鷗,青帆碼頭、坤坵沙灘也許就是您與黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗初次邂逅的所在喔!

 

Wang Chienhua Captured a Picture of Chinese Crested Tern at Chingfan Port, Sijyu Island, in the Matsu Archipelago

[Matsu Daily Newspaper] “The number of terns has significantly increased this year”, as Wang Chien-hua—the principal of Tungchu Elementary School said. Due to the recent boosted quantity of small fish around ports, the chances of catching fish have increased, which also attracts terns from Sher Mountain* to prey on the fish for food. So, you may have a chance to capture pictures of the “mythical bird” by just picking up your camera.

Wang Chien-hua said that he was originally going to take a boat to look for terns, but due to the stormy wind from the south, the boat was unable to depart. Nevertheless, he took a walk to Chingfan Port remembering that he had heard someone mention seeing Chinese Crested Terns around ports. On the way to Chingfan Port, he casually took some pictures of terns that flew from Sher Mountain to feed on the recently increased schools of fish. He said: “Perhaps I was lucky. When I checked the random pictures that I took, I realized that I had just taken a photo of the Chinese Crested Tern!”

This summer, you may not have to take a boat to Sher Mountain for tern-watching. Chingfan Port and Kunchiu Beach could be the place where you have your first encounter with Chinese Crested Tern!

* “Snake Mountain” is an islet off the west coast of Sijyu Island.

Chinese Crested Terns (Matsu Tern), Sterna bernsteini, have Returned!

 

During a survey on June 21, 2007, Chang Shou-hwa located three pairs of Chinese Crested Terns (Matsu Tern) on Xijyu Shershan islet in the Matsu Tern Reserve.  Survey work will continue to look for any more of these extremely rare terns and monitor their activities during the breeding season.

 

On May 20, 2007, Legislator Tien Chiu-chin met with a Birding in Taiwan group in Taipei.  The birders were an international group, from Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and the United States.  The birders had been traveling in Taiwan for two weeks and had visited every county (except Yilan), and had also gone to Lanyu Island. 

 

Taiwan National Bird Vote Results

The Taiwan National Bird Vote campaign, which began in January, 2007, came to a close at midnight, April 29, 2007.  There were over 1 million votes cast (987,063 by computer and 70,000 by paper ballot) from 53 countries, representing every continent except Antarctica.  There were 1,300 downloads for teaching purposes in educational institutions.

The winning bird, FORMOSAN MAGPIE, with 491,572 votes, was announced at a media event on May 2, 2007.  In second place was MIKADO PHEASANT, with 277,178 votes.  The random draw for prizes (20 Olympus digital cameras) took place; 19 names were drawn by computer, and one, on paper, drawn by hand.  Winners have been notified, and the prizes will be mailed promptly. MORE

 

Ijima’s Leaf-Warbler in Taiwan

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Government Information Office, Taiwan.

Only 130Km off the coast of the Chinese mainland, Taiwan occupies a strategic position in East Asia at the intersection of sea currents and navigation routes. When Portuguese navigators sighted Taiwan in the 16th century, they were struck by its tremendous beauty and called the island Ilha Formosa or "beautiful island".

More About Taiwan

 
 

 

Jo Ann on Birding in Taiwan

It was an honour and privilege to be part of the first Taiwanese-organized and led birding tour to Taiwan in March 2003. I considered the opportunity to be a special treat because I had been interested in Chinese life and culture since my childhood. Before the trip, I read all I could about Taiwan, the birds and everything else....MORE

About Us

INTERNATIONAL TAIWAN  BIRDING ASSOCIATION

The INTERNATIONAL TAIWAN  Birding Association was formally registered as a not-for-profit society on May 21, 2005, at a meeting at the Council of Agriculture, Taipei, Taiwan.  Officers elected:  Yang Chung-tse, Chairman; Lin Maw-nan, Vice Chairman; Tso Chien-hui, Executive Secretary; Zheng Shu-kai/Kerry Zheng, Treasurer.

 Our objective is to encourage birding eco-tourism in Taiwan.

TIBA was first organized as the International Taiwan Birding Association in July, 2003, in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.   Officers appointed were:  Simon Liao, President; Dr. Robert Butler and Dr. Shing Kuo Shih, Vice Presidents; Jo Ann MacKenzie, Executive Secretary; Karen Shih, Treasurer.  After TIBA came into being in Taiwan, ITBA continued to operate as a parallel branch in Canada.  On March 17, 2007, ITBA merged with TIBA, and remains as the Canadian chapter, under the name of the INTERNATIONAL TAIWAN  Birding Association (Canada).

MORE

 

Birding in Taiwan