Other participants: Tom Lowe (Norwich, UK), Ted Floyd (Boulder, Colorado, USA), Nathan Pieplow (Boulder, Colorado, USA), and Noah Strycker (Portland, Oregon, USA).
In order to assist the Taiwan Bureau of Tourism with planning and organising birding tours in Taiwan, our group was flown out to Taiwan and taken to various proposed destinations. This is a report of the birds we saw at the various sites.
Brief itinerary:
Day 1 (13 Nov) - Arrive Taipei CKS airport 21:25 and stayed overnight at Rebar Crowne Plaza Hotel, Taipei.
Day 2 (14 Nov) - Up at dawn to bird a local park (Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall), and then walked along a nearby river (Jilung He). Caught the afternoon flight to Tainan, Taiwan's oldest city near the south of the island. Spent the last hour of light around the An Ping marsh. Overnight at J.R. Plaza, Ching Ping Rd.
Day 3 (15 Nov) - Birded a local park before breakfast and the headed off to the Tsu Zau wetlands and Tseng Wen estuary. Took a boat out to an offshore island at the mouth of Tseng Wen estuary from Chi Gu. Overnight at J.R. Plaza, Ching Ping Rd.
Day 4 (16 Nov) - Headed off to Taiwan's higher elevations. Had brief stops at Bah Jang River (Jungpu?), Fan Ru village, and a couple of other wooded roadside stops to look through feeding flocks of birds, before ending up at Alishan National Park. Overnight at Alishan Lodge.
Day 5 (17 Nov) - Dawn at Alishan summit, then on to Yu Shan NP, ending up at Hsitou after dark. Overnight at Hsitou Menu-Chung House.
Day 6 (18 Nov) - Birded around the hotel at dawn, then around Chi Tou Forest Research Station. Headed off to JiJi (ChiChi) to visit the Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute (TESRI). Headed off to Tzuei Fung where we birded a forest trail before dusk.
Day 7 (19 Nov) - Dawn at Tzuei Fung, then up to Yuan Feng, over Wu Ling pass, and down to Taroko Gorge on the east side of the central mountain chain. Overnight at Formosan Hotel, Tienhsiang.
Day 8 (20 Nov) - Dawn at Tienhsiang, then headed through Taroko Gorge and down to the coast. Birded the Taiwanese cemetery in Shincheng, north of Hualien. Train back to Taipei.
Day 9 (21 Nov) - Birded Yangmingshan then Taipei Botanic Gardens
Day 10 (22 Nov) - Dep Taipei CKS at 09.15.
Detailed itinerary and highlights:
Day 1 (13 Nov) - Arrive Taipei CKS airport 21:25 and stayed overnight at Rebar Crowne Plaza Hotel, Taipei.
Day 2 (14 Nov) - Taipei - Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Brown Shrike, Asian Glossy Starling, House Swift
Jilung He River. Pacific Swallow, 'taivana' Yellow Wagtail
Tainan - An Ping marsh. Chinese Yellow Bittern, Oriental Reed Warbler.
Day 3 (15 Nov) - Tainan - local park. Eye-browed Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush.
Tsu Zau wetlands - Stopped at most of the partially dried, muddy pools for waders and other marsh birds. Red-necked Stints, Pacific Golden Plover, Gargany, Long-toed Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Chinese Yellow Bittern, 'simillima' Yellow Wagtail.
Tseng Wen estuary. Black-faced Spoonbill (c300), Saunders Gull, Greater Sand Plover, Lesser Sand Plover (mongolius), Pied Oystercatcher, Far Eastern Curlew, Grey-tailed Tattler.
The Black-faced Spoonbill reserve at the Tseng Wen estuary is very popular with the spoonbills (left) and college trips (right!)
Offshore island near Chi Gu oyster farm. Osprey, Daurian Redstart.
Overnight at J.R. Plaza, Ching Ping Rd.
Day 4 (16 Nov) - Bah Jang River (Jungpu?). Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Crested Goshawk.
Fan Ru village. Russet Sparrow, Collared Finchbill, Daurian Redstart.
Wooded roadside near Alishan. Dusky thrush, Steere's Liocichla, Asian House Martin, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Rufous Capped Babbler, Brown Bullfinch, Taiwan Barwing, Vivid Niltava, White-eared Sibia, Taiwan Yuhinia.
Alishan National Park. Birded the roads and trails between the various accommodation areas and the Plum Garden. Rufous-capped Babbler, White-collared Bush robin, Taiwan Flamecrest, Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler, Plumbeous Redstart, Olive-backed Pipit.
Overnight at Alishan Lodge.
Day 5 (17 Nov) - Took the pre-dawn train to the Alishan summit to witness the stunning sunrise, although it was rather cloudy that day. Birding highlights: Red-flanked Bluetail, Spotted Nutcracker, Taiwan Laughing-Thrush, Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Collared Bush Robin, Flamecrest.
Yu Shan NP (Tupacka Visitors Centre).Taiwan Laughing-Thrush, Brambling, Winter Wren, Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler.
Roadside stops east of Yu Shan NP. White-browed Shortwing, Taiwan Hill Partridge (heard only), Strong-footed Bush Warbler, Rufous-faced Warbler.
Roadside stop just before Chen Yo Lan River Valley. Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Oriental Turtle Dove, Black-napped Monarch, White-eared Sibia.
Overnight Menu-Chung House, Hsitou. Owling at night produced a calling Mountain Scops Owl.
Day 6 (18 Nov) - Birding along the road behind hotel at dawn. Dusky Fulvetta, Little Forktail, Plumbeous Redstart, Rufous-faced Warbler.
Chi Tou Forest Research Station. Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Acorn Jay, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Bronzed Drongo.
JiJi (ChiChi) TESRI. Tiger Bittern, Banded Buttonquail, Black-browed Barbet, Arctic Warbler, Grey-headed Pygmy Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Babbler, Collared Finchbill.
Tzuei Fung. Leave Meisung on highway 14. Go past the brake-fail run-off road at km 15.5 and then after about another km you come to what looks like a ski complex with car parks on both sides of the road at Chifong. Turn left down a hill past a sign for highway 3, down a quite steep windy incline. Take a right hairpin bend, followed by a left hairpin bend, a right hairpin bend, and another left hairpin bend and then park in the set-aside car park on the right. We walked the trail on the left hand side of the road (opposite the car park), which leads back to the run-off road at km 15.5 on hwy 14. Swinhoe's Pheasant, White's Thrush,
Day 7 (19 Nov) - Dawn at Tzuei Fung. Started off at the run-off road. Brown Hawk Owl at dawn. Then went back to the pheasant area and took the trail that leaves the car park, often referred to as the Blue Gate Trail, which then turns into the Pipeline Trail. Mikado Pheasant, Swinhoe's Pheasant, Taiwan Laughing-Thrush, Taiwan Barwing, Eye-browed Thrush, White's Thrush, White-backed Woodpecker, Strong-footed Bush-Warbler.
Yuan Feng. Vinaceous Rosefinch, Taiwan Laughing-Thrush
Wu Ling Pass. Alpine Accenter, Vinaceous Rosefinch, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Winter Wren.
Stopped for lunch at an town on hwy 8 at km 114. Black-faced Bunting, Brambling.
Walked down the road at the Sacred Tree at km 131 to the bottom of the valley. Taiwan Tit, Taiwan Yuhina, Little Forktail, Asian House Martin.
Overnight at Formosan Hotel, Tienhsiang in Toroko Gorge.
Day 8 (20 Nov) - Dawn at Tienhsiang. Birded around the bridges and monastery. Styan's Bulbul, Taiwan Whistling Thrush, Silver-backed Needletail, Brown Dipper, Taiwan tit, White-belled Yuhina.
Headed through Taroko Gorge and down to the coast. Birded the Taiwanese cemetery in Shincheng, north of Hualien. The fields to the south of the cemetery were particularly good. Oriental Skylark, Pale-headed Cisticola, Little Blue Buttonquail, Barred Buttonquail, Lesser Coucal, Long-tailed Shrike, Vineous-throated Parrotbill, White-breasted Waterhen, Brown Shrike.
Train back to Taipei from Hualien.
Taipei's bird market is real attack on a birders emotions. Although quite amazing to see birds like Siberian Rubythroat (above), one also feels a deep sense of regret at the presence of so many captive wild birds.
Day 9 (21 Nov) - Yangmingshan NP. Birded the park between the public baths and International Hotel. Then walked through the small market, back to the main road, down alley 38 into the river valley, across the stream and then back up to the main road. Formosan Blue Magpie, Himalayan Treepie, Yellow-browed Warbler, White's Thrush, Taiwan Whistling Thrush, Black-browed Barbet, Black Bulbul.
Taipei Botanic Gardens - Tiger Bittern, Arctic Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Black-naped Monarch
Day 10 (22 Nov) - Dep Taipei CKS at 09.15.
Systematic List
PODICIPEDIFORMES
Podicipedidae
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis - Fairly common in freshwater habitats.
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo - Common at Chi Gu oyster farm 15 Nov
CICONIIFORMES
Ardeidae
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea - Common along rivers and freshwater marshes
Great White Egret Egretta alba - Common in freshwater habitats
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia - Fairly common in freshwater habitats
Little Egret Egretta garzetta - The commonest egret, common along rivers and freshwater marshes
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis - Often seen in damp lowland habitats around cattle
Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus - 1 in Toroko Gorge 20 Nov 03
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax - A common bird in freshwater marshes, usually at dusk.
Malaysian Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus - 1 at ChiChi TESRI arboretum 18 Nov and 3 at Taipei Botanical Garden 21 Nov
Chinese Little Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis - A pair at An Ping marsh, Tainan 14 Nov and 1 at the Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Threskiornithidae
Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor - c300 at Tsengwan Estuary spoonbill reserve 15 Nov
ANSERIFORMES
Anatidae
European Wigeon Anas penelope - Common around the Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Gadwall Anas strepera
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca - Common around the Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - Seen in small numbers, usually in lowland parks
Northern Pintail Anas acuta - A few birds around Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Garganey Anas querquedula - About 30 birds on the Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata - A few birds around Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
FALCONIFORMES
Pandionidae
Osprey Pandion haliaetus - 1 at Chi Gu oyster farm 15 Nov
Accipitridae
Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus - 1 near Alishan on 16 Nov, 1 near Wuling Mtn Pass 19 Nov
Asian Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus - Single birds regularly seen at mid-elevations throughout
Japanese Sparrow Hawk Accipiter gulari
Falconidae
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus - Uncommon, but seen at all elevations
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus - 1 Alishan 17 Nov
GALLIFORMES
Phasianidae
Indian Blue Quail Coturnix chinensis - A small covey at Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
White-throated Hill Partridge Arborophila crudigularis - 1 heard on the eastern slopes of Alishan 17 Nov
Swinhoe's Pheasant Lophura swinhoii - 1 male Tzuei Fung 18 Nov, 2 males Tzuie Fung 19 Nov
Mikado Pheasant Syrmaticus mikado - 1 female Tzuei Fung 19 Nov
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus - 1 at Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
GRUIFORMES
Turnicidae
Bustard Quail Turnix suscitator - 1 in the hand at Chi Chi TESRI 18 Nov and 2 at Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
Rallidae
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus - 1 on Chi Gu offshore island 15 Nov
White-breasted Water Hen Amaurornis phoenicurus - 1 at Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus - Quite common in marshy habitats
CHARADRIIFORMES
Haematopodidae
Palaearctic Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus - 1 at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Recurvirostridae
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus - Common around the Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta - A few birds at the Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Charadriidae
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva - 1 at the Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola - A few at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius - Seen in small numbers at Tsu Zau wetlands and Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus - Numerous at Tsu Zau wetlands and Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus - Fairly common at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii - At least 2 at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Scolopacidae
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica - About 5 at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Western Curlew Numenius arquata - 1 at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensi - 1 at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus - A few birds at the Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Common Redshank Tringa totanus - Numerous at Tsu Zau wetlands and Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis - Quite common at Tsu Zau wetlands and Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia - Quite common at Tsu Zau wetlands and Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola - A few birds at Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos - Fairly common on both upland rivers and lowland freshwater habitats
Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes - 2 at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Rufous-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis - Very common at Tsu Zau wetlands and Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta - 3 at Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Dunlin Calidris alpina - Common at Tsu Zau wetlands and Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Laridae
Saunders's Gull Larus saundersi - A 1st-winter bird at Tseng Wen Estuary on 15 Nov was the only gull of the trip!
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia - A few birds at Tsu Zau wetlands and large numbers at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
Little Tern Sterna albifrons - 1 at Tseng Wen Estuary 15 Nov
COLUMBIFORMES
Columbidae
Ashy Wood Pigeon Columba pulchricollis - A few small flocks of up to 12 birds at most higher elevation sites
Eastern Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis - Seen in small numbers around agricultural habitats
Red-collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica - Fairly common in open habitat in urban areas, especially around Tainan
Spotted-necked Dove Streptopelia chinensis - Common in built-up areas
CUCULIFORMES
Cuculidae
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis - 1 at Chen Yo Lan River Valley 17 Nov, and 1 at Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
STRIGIFORMES
Strigidae
Spotted Scops Owl (Mountain Scops Owl) Otus spilocephalus - 1 calling at Alishan 16 Nov, and 1 or 2 calling at Chi Tou on 17 Nov
Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei - 1 calling at Alishan 16 Nov
Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata - 1 heard and seen at dawn near Tzuei Fung next to hwy 14 at km marker 15.5 at the brake fail road on 19 Nov
APODIFORMES
Apodidae
Silver-backed Spinetailed Swift Hirundapus cochinchinensis - 3 birds at Tienhsiang on 20 Nov
House Swift Apus affinis - Fairly common around built up areas throughout
CORACIIFORMES
Alcedinidae
River Kingfisher Alcedo atthis - Single birds seen regularly at lowland pools and rivers
PICIFORMES
Capitonidae
Muller's Barbet Megalaima oorti - Seen in small numbers usually in lowland forests, but 1 bird at Wu Ling Pass 19 Nov
Picidae
Grey-capped Woodpecker Picoides canicapillus - Seen in small numbers in forested areas, usually at mid-elevation
White-backed Woodpecker Picoides leucotos - 3 birds at Tzuei Fung 19 Nov
PASSERIFORMES
Alaudidae
Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula - c10 birds at Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
Hirundinidae
Brown-throated Sand Martin (Plain Martin) Riparia paludicola - Fairly common in wet habitats at low elevation
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica - A few birds at Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica - Commonest hirundine, found in most habitats up to mid/-high elevation
Greater Striated Swallow Hirundo striolata - Fairly common from low to mid elevation
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus - A few large flocks seen at high elevation, usually in rocky areas
Motacillidae
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava - regularly seen at wetland habitats at low elevation. Most birds seen were thought to represent the races 'simillima' or 'taivana'.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea - Fairly common along rivers and streams
White Wagtail Motacilla alba - Fairly common in wet habitats. All birds appeared to be of the race leucopsis
Indian Tree Pipit (Olive-backed Pipit) Anthus hodgsoni - Fairly common and seen in small groups around wooded areas at mid-elevation
Campephagidae
Yellow-throated Minivet Pericrocotus solaris - Regularly seen in small numbers with mixed species feeding flocks at mid-elevation, but a large flock of up to 50 birds at Tienhsiang 20 Nov
Pycnonotidae
Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques - Seen in small numbers, often around human habitation, but never in urban areas. Usually a low to mid-elevation bird
Chinese Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis - Very common in most habitats.
Formosan Bulbul Pycnonotus taivanus - Seen in small numbers along Toroko Gorge, Shincheng, and Hualien. Often hybridises with Chinese Bulbul, and many hybrids seen.
Black Bulbul Hypsipetes madagascariensi - Seen in quite large numbers at a few mid-elevation sites.
Laniidae
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus - Fairly common in small numbers throughout. Commonest at low elevation
Black-headed Shrike (Long-tailed Shrike) Lanius schach - 1 bird at Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
Cinclidae
Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii - 1 bird at Tienhsian, Toroko Gorge 20 Nov
Troglodytidae
Wren Troglodytes troglodytes - 1 at Tupacka on 17 Nov, and 1 near Wu Ling Pass 19 Nov
Prunellidae
Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris - 2 birds at Wu Ling Pass 19 Nov
Turdidae
Blue Shortwing Brachypteryx montana - 1 heard and seen east of Alishan 17 Nov
Collared Bush Robin Erithacus johnstoniae - Seen regularly in forested areas at mid to high-elevation
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus - 3 birds at the top of Alishan 17 Nov
Plumbeous Water Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus - Regularly seen along rivers and streams at mid to high-elevation
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus - Seen in small numbers at most elevations
White-tailed Blue Robin Cinclidium leucurum - 1 flew across the road east of Alishan 17 Nov
Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri - 1 at Chi Tou 18 Nov, 1 near Sacred Tree (hwy 8, km 131) 19 Nov, and 1 Tienhsiang 20 Nov
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius - A female in Tainan 15 Nov was the only bird
Formosan Whistling Thrush Myiophoneus insularis - Fairly common in Toroko gorge, especially the Formosan Hotel, Tienhsian 20 Nov, and 1 at Yang Min Shan 21 Nov
White's Thrush Zoothera dauma - Seen in small numbers in dense woodland at low to mid-elevation
Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obscurus - Seen in small numbers in open woodland and parks
Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni - 1 near Fan Lu 16 Nov
Timaliidae
Rusty-cheeked (Spot-breasted) Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys - A small group seen at Chen Yo Lan River Valley 17 Nov
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis - Small groups seen at Jung Pu 16 Nov and Tzuei Fung 19 Nov
Pygmy Wren Babbler Pnoepyga pusilla - Heard regularly at mid to high elevation. The only bird seen was one that showed exceptionally well on Alishan Mountain 17 Nov
Red-headed Tree Babbler Stachyris ruficeps - Regularly seen in small numbers (often in mixed feeding flocks) at mid to high elevation forest.
White-bellied Tree Babbler (White-belled Yuhina) Stachyris zantholeuca - 2 birds west of Tzuei Fung 18 Nov and quite common in Toroko Gorge 20 Nov
Formosan Laughing Thrush Garrulax morrisoniana - Regularly seen in scrubby, forested areas, at mid to high elevation
Steere's Liocichla Liocichla steerii - A common bird of many habitats from mid to high elevation
Formosan Barwing Actinodura morrisoniana - Quite common, usually associating with mixed specis flocks in mature woodland
Streak-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinereiceps - Seen in large flocks around Alishan and Yu Shan NP
Gould's Fulvetta Alcippe brunnea - A group of about 8 birds near the hotel at Chi Tou 18 Nov
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe morrisonia - Regularly seen in quite large flocks around Alishan, and smaller numbers elsewhere
White-eared Sibia Heterophasia auricularis - Fairly common in mid to high-elevation forests
Formosan Yuhina Yuhina brunneiceps - A few large flocks seen around Alishan, Tzuei Fung and Sacred Tree
Panuridae
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus - About 20 birds near Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
Sylviidae
Strong-footed Bush Warbler Cettia fortipes - 1 seen east of Yu Shan NP 17 Nov, and 3 at Tzuei Fung 19 Nov
Verreaux's (Yellowish-bellied) Bush Warbler Cettia acanthizoides - Regularly seen in scrubby areas around Alishan and Chi Tou
Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis - Small numbers seen on lowland reed beds.
Gold-capped Cisticola Cisticola exilis - About 5 birds near Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
Tawny-flanked (Plain) Prinia Prinia subflava - Common around lowland grasslands and marshes, including built up areas
Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris - Similar habitat to Plain Prinia, but much less common
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus - Several birds seen and heard around Taipei Botanical Gardens and Yangmingshan 21 Nov
Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis - 1 at Chi Chi arboretum 18 Nov, and 3 at Taipei Botanical Gardens 21 Nov
White-throated Flycatcher Warbler (Rufous-faced Warbler)Abroscopus albogularis - Often seen in small numbers between Alishan and Toroko Gorge
Taiwan Firecrest (Flamecrest) Regulus goodfellowi - Quite common at Alishan, with smaller numbers at other nearby sites
Muscicapidae
Thicket (Snowy-browed) Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra - A male seen at Chi Tou 18 Nov
Vivid Niltava Niltava vivida - Seen in small numbers in mid to high elevation forest
Monarchidae
Black-naped Blue Monarch Hypothymis azurea - About 8 birds in total, occurring in a variety of habitats, usually between low and mid-elevation
Black (Japanese) Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata - A female at Chen Yo Lan River Valley 17 Nov, and a bird that may have been this species briefly at Tienhsiang 20 Nov
Aegithalidae
Red-headed Tit Aegithalos concinnus - One of the commonest birds of upland forest, often seen in their hundreds in mixed species flocks.
Paridae
Coal Tit Parus ater - A few birds at Alishan 16 + 17 Nov
Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus - Regularly seen in mixed species flocks in forests of all elevations
Formosan Yellow Tit (Taiwan Tit) Parus holsti - 4 birds below Sacred Tree 19 Nov, and 2 birds at Tienhsiang 20 Nov
Sittidae
Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea - Seen in small numbers at Tzuei Fung and Sacred Tree
Dicaeidae
Green-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus - Seen in very small numbers at mid to high-elevation forests
Zosteropidae
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonica - Very common in lowland parks and woods
Emberizidae
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala - 2 near Wu Ling Pass at km 114 on 19 Nov, 3 birds at the end of Toroko Gorge 20 Nov
Fringillidae
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla - 6 at Yu Shan NP 17 Nov, and 2 near Wu Ling Pass at km 114 on 19 Nov
Vinaceous Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus - 1 at Yuan Feng and 3 at Wu Ling Pass 19 Nov
Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis - Seen in small numbers in most forested areas between mid and high-elevation
Estrildidae
White-backed Munia Lonchura striata - Regularly seen in scrubby areas at mid elevation
Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata - Quite common around agricultural areas between low and mid-elevation.
Ploceidae
Cinnamon Sparrow Passer rutilans - Small numbers at Fan Lu 16 Nov
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus - Very common, especially in built up areas
Sturnidae
Grey (White-cheeked) Starling Sturnus cineraceus - 2 birds over Tsu Zau wetlands 15 Nov
White-vented Mynah Acridotheres grandis - An introduced species. Common at Shincheng cemetery 20 Nov
Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis - An introduce species. Common in Taipei
Chinese Jungle (Crested) Mynah Acridotheres cristatellus - Uncommon in Taipei and the surrounding areas
Dicruridae
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus - Fairly common at low elevations
Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus - Small numbers seen around Chi Tou and Tzuei Fung
Corvidae
Jay Garrulus glandarius - Small numbers seen around Chi Tou and Tzuei Fung
Formosan Blue Magpie Urocissa caerulea - 8 birds at Yang Ming Shan 21 Nov
Himalayan Tree Pie Dendrocitta formosae - Seen regularly in built up areas at low elevation
Black-billed Magpie Pica pica - Regularly seen around human habitation at low to mid-elevation
Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes - Regularly seen around high-elevation conifers
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos - Regularly seen in small numbers between mid and high-elevation forests.
