Yellow Bittern

Flamecrest

Regulus goodfellowi

Endemic

            A tiny, 9 cm, warbler-like bird.  The male has a blackish crown and bright orange coronal stripe, yellow at rear; the angular, box-like black eye patch is surrounded by a white ring which extends into the white supercilium and lores.  Has black moustachial stripe and white throat.  Nuchal collar and breast gray; back olive; belly, rump and vent yellow.  Wings and tail are black with white wing bars and yellow edges to primaries.  Female is similar to male but coronal stripe is yellow.  Iris, brown; bill, black; legs, dark gray.   

            Frequent bird of coniferous and montane forests of the central mountain range at 2,000–3,700 m.

            May be found singly or in loose flocks, occasionally in mixed flocks with tits and other species.  Mostly arboreal, preferring coniferous trees, feeding in the canopy, sometimes venturing into low shrubs.  Sings from dense cover in tree canopy, usually while foraging.  Its call resembles zip-zi-yi.  Very restless, always feeding and flitting from leaf to stem, rather tit-like in feeding actions, often hover-gleaning.  Feeds on small insects and larvae, also takes weeds and berries.  Flight rather weak and whirring.  Breeding biology is poorly known.

            Flamecrest, also known as Taiwan Firecrest, is a common resident.

References:  Endemic Species of Taiwan, compiled by Greenland Ecology Conservation Association of R.O.C.

                      www.gio.gov.tw/info/ecology/English