Endemic Birds of Taiwan: Update

Taiwan Fulvetta, Alcippe formosana, formerly a sub-species of the Streak-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe cinereiceps.
Photo Credit: pseudolapiz

This summer, the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) issued a major update to their world birdlist (Gill, F., Wright, M. & Donsker, D., 2008. IOC World Bird Names (ver. 1.7)). According to the press release, the updated list "[includes] changes of names, additions of newly described species as well as proposed splits and lumps...". As such, the IOC presently recognizes 10,354 extant species of birds in the world.


Taiwan Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus musicus
Photo Credit: K.K. Kuo, Birding in Taiwan

As a result of these recent changes, Taiwan has gained six endemic species, bringing the total number of endemic species to 22. Not all authorities concur with the IOC changes. For example, the Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, which is recognized by the American Ornithological Union (AOU) and the American Birding Association (ABA), accepts only 15 endemics for Taiwan. The remaining seven species are considered endemic sub-species.


Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax ruficeps
Photo Credit: K.K. Kuo, Birding in Taiwan

The list of endemic birds follows:

Taiwan Endemic Species (recognized by IOU and AOU)

Collared Bush Robin, Tarsiger johnstoniae
Mikado Pheasant, Syrmaticus mikado
Rusty Laughingthrush, Garrulax poecilorhynchus
Steere's Liocichla, Liocichla steerii
Styan's Bulbul, Pycnonotus taivanus
Swinhoe's Pheasant, Lophura swinhoii
Taiwan Barwing, Actinodura morrisoniana
Taiwan Blue Magpie, Urocissa caerulea
Taiwan Bush Warbler, Bradypterus alishanensis
Taiwan Partridge, Arborophila crudigularis
Taiwan Whistling Thrush, Myophonus insularis
Taiwan Yuhina, Yuhina brunneiceps
White-eared Sibia, Heterophasia auricularis
White-whiskered Laughingthrush, Garrulax morrisonianus
Yellow Tit, Parus holsti


Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax ruficeps
Photo Credit: Chi Liu

Endemic Species (recognized by IOU only)

Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis
Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush, Garrulax ruficeps
Taiwan Barbet, Megalaima nuchalis
Taiwan Fulvetta, Alcippe formosana
Taiwan Hwamei, Garrulax taewanus
Taiwan Scimitar Babbler, Pomatorhinus musicus
Taiwan Wren-Babbler, Pnoepyga formosana


Taiwan Wren-Babbler, Pnoepyga formosana
Photo Credit: John&Fish's Photostream

The five contested species were prososed by Nigel Collar of BirdLife International in a recent research paper entitled A partial revision of the Asian babblers (Timaliidae). The full paper can viewed at Dr. Collar's website.


Taiwan Hwamei, Garrulax taewanus
Photo Credit: K.K. Kuo, Birding in Taiwan

Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush was forerly considered a sub-sepcies of the White-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis. The Rusty Laughingthrush was formerly one of three sub-species of Rusty Laughingthrush. It will retain both its English and Latin names, the other two sub-species were reassigned. Similarly, the Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler was formerly a sub-species of the Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler. While it retained its Latin name, its common name was changed as indicated. The Taiwan Hwamei was formerly a sub-species of Chinese Hwamei, Garrulax canorus. The Taiwan Wren Babbler was derived from the Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Pnoepyga albiventer. Lastly, the Taiwan Fulvetta was derived from the Streak-throated Fulvetta, Alcippe cinereiceps.