Light-vented Bulbul

The Light-vented Bulbul (Scientific name - Pycnonotus sinensis) is a medium sized bird also known as the Chinese Bulbul. It has mostly grey upper parts with olive colour highlights and edgings. The under parts are white and it has black legs and feet. The head is distinctive with a black bill, black crown and black moustache. The nape is white but bordered with a black band. They feed on berries and soft fruits and vegetables but also on insects which they sometimes capture in flight. The Light-vented Bulbul ranges throughout east Asia (China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan). The birds in the photos are a sub species that is endemic to Taiwan (Pycnonotus sinensis formosae) The photographs were taken in Da-an Forest Park in Taipei, Taiwan in August 2015. 

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Scientific Name - Passer montanus) is a small sparrow that closely resembles the larger House Sparrow.  They have mostly light brown upper parts and light breast with no streaking. The wings are mostly brown with some black spots and distinct white bars. They have a thick dark bill and distinct black ear patches and a black patch on the chin and throat. They range from Europe to South East Asia but are rare in the Middle East and Indian sub continent. They were introduced to the USA in the Missouri area and have not spread far from that area in North America. The American Tree Sparrow looks similar however has a rust coloured line extending back from the eye and no black ear patch or throat. Photos taken in Da-an Forest Park, Taipei, Taiwan in August 2015.

Oriental Magpie-Robin

The Oriental Magpie-Robin (Scientific Name - Copsychus saularis) also known simply as the Magpie-Robin is a passerine bird found throughout the Indian sub continent and across Southeast Asia.  They are mostly black upper and white underneath. They have a white shoulder patch and a long tail which is often cocked up. They can be found in open woodland areas and often in urban parks. Photos taken in August 2015 in Da-an Forest Park, Taipei, Taiwan.

Black-collared Starling

The Black-collared Starling (Scientific name - Gracupica nigricollis also Sturnus nigricollis) is a fairly large starling with distinctive colouring. It has white underparts, mostly black upper parts with some white, a white head with a bare (yellowish) orbital area and a distinctive black collar.  These birds are found throughout much of Southeast Asia and Southern China. They have been introduced into Taiwan. They like open areas and grasslands and can be found in urban parks.  Photos taken in Taipei, Taiwan in August 2015.

Taiwan Barbet

The Taiwan Barbet (Scientific name - Megalaima nuchalis) is a bird endemic to the island of Taiwan.  It is also commonly known as the five-coloured bird because of its head which is patterned with blue yellow and red. The body is mostly green and the males have a distinct red patch under their throat.  They nest in holes in trees and the male and female take turns flying out for food while the other takes care of the nest.  Photos were taken in Da-an Forest Park in Taipei, Taiwan in August 2015.

Female in Nest

Malayan Night Heron

The Malayan Night Heron (Scientific name - Gorsachius melanolophus) is a medium sized heron found in South and South East Asia.  They are sometimes known as the Malaysian Night Heron. They breed in India, Taiwan, China and the Philippines. Adults are reddish brown with a dark crown and dark underwings. The juveniles have black and white spotsin and streaked underparts. The photos were taken in Taichung (adult - top photo) and Taipei (juveniles) in August 2015.