Taiwan: Endemic Birding Extravaganza

Taiwan is a compact island country situated 112 miles (180 kilometers) off continental East Asia, and the Peoples Republic of China. It is approximately 248 miles (400 kilometers) long and 93 miles (150 kilometers) wide, with rugged and spectacular central mountains and deep valleys. Taiwan boasts very high biodiversity – in a very manageable package, with great roads, accommodation, and food, thus making the country an excellent location for a short Asian birdwatching holiday, and our small group tour is an ideal trip whether this is your first venture into Oriental birding or your tenth!

Swinhoe’s Pheasant is one of the many stunning endemic species we will search for on this trip (photo Da Chih Chen).

Following International Ornithological Congress (IOC) version 14.2 taxonomy (July 2024), the Taiwan bird list stands at 716 bird species, this includes 32 currently recognized full endemic species and numerous endemic subspecies. In addition, there are some highly sought-after breeding (e.g. Fairy Pitta and Chinese Crested Tern), wintering (e.g. Black-faced Spoonbill), and passage (e.g. Chinese Egret) birds, as well as some birds that are easier to see in Taiwan than elsewhere in the world, such as Malayan Night Heron. Furthermore, there are plenty of widespread Asian species too, all combining to make Taiwan a top priority for all world birders.

We usually find all of Taiwan’s endemic birds on our spring tour, as well as a high percentage of all subspecies likely to get elevated to full species status in the future. Some of the endemic highlights of this great birding tour include Taiwan Partridge, Taiwan Bamboo Partridge, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Mikado Pheasant, Taiwan Barbet, Taiwan Blue Magpie, Yellow Tit, White-whiskered Laughingthrush, Taiwan Barwing, Steere’s Liocichla, White-eared Sibia, Taiwan Hwamei, Taiwan Bush Warbler, Taiwan Niltava, Taiwan Bush Robin, Collared Bush Robin, Taiwan Thrush, Flamecrest, Taiwan Yuhina, Taiwan Bullfinch, and Taiwan Rosefinch.

Taiwan Blue Magpie is a gorgeous bird, and we will be looking out for this colorful endemic during our Taiwan birdwatching tour (photo Da Chih Chen).

Most of the endemic birds are found in the mountains, meaning birding takes place in some absolutely gorgeous scenery with nice cool temperatures, a pleasant change from the warmer lowlands where there are also plenty of excellent birds to be found, including several more endemics, and the migratory and highly sought-after Fairy Pitta. A few of the species occurring in Taiwan with distinctive local subspecies (and potential future splits) include Himalayan Owl, Ryukyu Scops Owl, Dusky Fulvetta, Golden Parrotbill, Alpine Accentor, and many more.

Taiwan Scimitar Babbler is an attractive endemic bird (photo Da Chih Chen).

Due to Taiwan’s position on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the island offers great opportunities for connecting with numerous passage migrants from a wide range of birds, including shorebirds (waders) and numerous exciting passerines such as shrikes, warblers, thrushes, and buntings as they return north after spending the winter period in Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

This tour focuses on the endemics and other East Asian specials in Taiwan’s well-protected forests. Most of our time will be spent in the mountains, but we will also allow some time in the lowlands and at the coast, looking for wetland birds. Orchid (Lanyu) Island also has several interesting birds, and we will spend some time there looking for localized pigeons, owls, monarchs, and bulbuls. When circumstances allow, we will leave time for other aspects of nature, the fascinating human culture, and for chasing any reported notable vagrants.

The Taiwanese are a very friendly and welcoming people. They have blended the best parts of unspoiled, traditional Chinese culture with the influence of colonial Japan, along with the native Austronesian culture. Taiwan is free and democratic, has good infrastructure, and is considered safe. It also offers amazing birding and good photography opportunities.