Observer les oiseaux sur l’île de Taïwan

Although small in area, Taiwan has a complex topography-ranging from high mountains and huge forests to rugged, varied plains and onrushing streams and rivers-giving the island many small, localized ecological environments. In addition, despite being located in the subtropics, Taiwan boats a wide range of altitudes endowing it with multifarious climates-tropical, subtropical, temperate, and even frigid. Lastly, deep oceanic influences-such as high humidity and plentiful amounts of rain-give Taiwan an abundance of flourishing, diverse vegetation.
Approximately 500 bird species have been recorded in Taiwan, of which about 150 species are resident. They include 15 endemic species (Taiwan Partridge, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Mikado Pheasant, Styan’s Bulbul, Flamecrest, Formosan Whistling-Thrush, Taiwan Bush-Warbler, Collared Bush-Robin, White-Whiskered Laughingthrush, Steere’s Liocichla, Taiwan Barwing, White-eared Sibia, Taiwan Yuhina, Yellow Tit, Formosan Magpie, Taiwan Firecrest) and 69 endemic subspecies.
For its area, Taiwan has a very high proportion of endemic species and subspecies. But excessive development and local people’s habit of indiscriminately capturing or releasing wild birds, or keeping them as pets, are accelerating the threat to wild species’ survival.
We thank Jo Ann MacKenzie from the website www.birdingintaiwan.com, and the team of the Taiwan Tour Information, for their precious informations and their photos.