Iconic bird of Taiwan

Common Birds of Taiwan

Taiwan's 30+ endemic species are concentrated along the Central Mountain Range โ€” the Hehuanshan area and Taroko Gorge deliver extraordinary encounters with montane forest endemics.

680+
Total species
30+
Endemics
25
Threatened
Marโ€“May
Best months
๐Ÿฆ
1. Mikado PheasantNear Threatened
Syrmaticus mikado

Taiwan's national bird and arguably the most beautiful pheasant in the world โ€” the male's purple-blue iridescence and white-banded tail are best seen on rocky trails at dawn.

๐Ÿ“ Hehuanshan, Taroku Gorge above 2,000m๐Ÿ—“ Aprโ€“May
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2. Taiwan Blue MagpieLeast Concern
Urocissa caerulea

The winner of a popular Taiwanese vote for national bird โ€” the long cobalt-blue tail tipped with black-and-white spots trails behind family groups moving through mixed forest.

๐Ÿ“ Widespread in mountain forest below 1,500m๐Ÿ—“ Year-round
๐Ÿฆ
3. Swinhoe's PheasantNear Threatened
Lophura swinhoii

A Taiwan endemic with a dazzling combination of white, blue, red, and chestnut plumage โ€” male birds display on forest roads at dawn in nature reserves.

๐Ÿ“ Mountain forest 1,000-2,500m๐Ÿ—“ Marโ€“May
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4. Taiwan BarbetLeast Concern
Psilopogon nuchalis

Taiwan's endemic barbet โ€” a vivid combination of blue, yellow, green, and red on the head, its monotonous "kow-kow" call is one of the most ubiquitous sounds in Taiwan's forests.

๐Ÿ“ Lowland and mid-elevation forest throughout๐Ÿ—“ Marโ€“Jun
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5. FlamecrestNear Threatened
Regulus goodfellowi

Taiwan's only endemic kinglet โ€” a tiny bird with a vivid flame-orange crown and white wing bars, found in Taiwan's highest coniferous forests.

๐Ÿ“ Coniferous forest 2,500-3,800m๐Ÿ—“ Aprโ€“Jun
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6. Taiwan RosefinchLeast Concern
Carpodacus formosanus

An endemic finch restricted to alpine scrub and meadows above the treeline โ€” rosy-red males feed on grass seeds on windswept ridges, often approachable to very close range.

๐Ÿ“ Hehuanshan alpine, above 2,500m๐Ÿ—“ Aprโ€“Jun
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7. Taiwan HwameiNear Threatened
Garrulax taewanus

A Taiwan endemic laughingthrush with striking white spectacles โ€” its loud, complex bubbling song is one of the most musical of Taiwan's endemic species.

๐Ÿ“ Mid-elevation dense scrub and forest edge๐Ÿ—“ Marโ€“Jun
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8. White-whiskered LaughingthrushLeast Concern
Garrulax morrisonianus

The most striking of Taiwan's endemic laughingthrushes โ€” white facial plumes contrast with a black cap and rich brown body; bold and curious, it approaches observers on mountain trails.

๐Ÿ“ Mountain forest 2,000-3,000m๐Ÿ—“ Aprโ€“Jun

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