“The Taiwan Whistling-thrush (Myophonus insularis) is another delightful and common endemic. We saw it at three different locations and it has a number of habitats. These include the forest streams and gullies of low and middle altitude mountain forests where it can be seen in dark conditions, as these images posted show (taken though mist). As well as, close to human habitation where it will nest on buildings. We also saw it at close range in the Shihmen Reservoir, Longtan Town, Taoyuan County, Taiwan, perched on buildings and foraging in gardens.
“It has a dark black bill with a red iris. A shining, scaly blue breast with similar blue at the forehead and lesser and median coverts; some on the wing and tail.
“Although generally seen as a dark black bird, in good light much of the plumage has bluish sheen. There is no male or female differentiation. Loves the fan the tail, as is common among the Whistling Thrushs.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
19th December 2014
Location: Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area, Heping District, Taiwan
Habitat: 2000 meter ASL, forested region, streams and gullies