A well-planned birdwatching trip！Essential knowledge about Taiwan’s bird classification you shouldn't miss

▲ Plumbeous Water Redstart. (Photo / Sikuaiyu Cultural Creatives)

Text and photos /"Classic Birdwatching Routes in Taiwan: Go Birdwatching Now！Practical Tips for Bird Observation and Photography"
Authors: Hsing Cheng-kang, Fan Kuo-huang / Photography assistance: Chuang Chih-chou
Publisher: Sikuaiyu Cultural Creatives

Many birdwatching enthusiasts own several different bird field guides, which come in both illustrated and photographic formats. Illustrated guides can highlight key differences between similar species in the drawings and depict all bird species within a region. Photos, on the other hand, capture the birds' habitats, offering a sense of realism, but it’s difficult to photograph every bird species in an area.

With the Earth's climate change and ecological environment alterations, the bird resources in a region can differ from the past. Therefore, newly published bird field guides often include newly discovered species. When choosing a guide, consider how you will use it—for example, if you’re using it at home to compare with photos of wild birds you’ve taken in the field, the size and weight of the guide are not restricted. But if you're using it for real-time comparison during outdoor observation, then its size and portability need to be considered. You may also purchase photographic bird field guides and birdwatching handbooks specific to a single birdwatching area, which are more convenient for identifying observed species and planning birdwatching itineraries.

Terrestrial Birds
Generally refers to birds that primarily inhabit land areas. Terrestrial birds are usually active in environments such as high mountains, forests, streams, grasslands, farmlands, and urban areas. Before birdwatching terrestrial species, it’s essential to prepare suitable clothing, gear, and binoculars based on the environment of the birdwatching site.

Waterbirds
Generally refers to birds that primarily inhabit aquatic environments. Waterbirds are typically found in rivers, paddy fields, lakes, intertidal zones, and beaches. Observation spots for waterbirds are usually open areas with few obstructions, which often means strong winds and high exposure to sunlight.

Regional Specialty Bird Species
These refer to the bird species that most birdwatchers hope to see when visiting a certain area. For example, in Taiwan, when Black-faced Spoonbills are mentioned, many people think of the Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Area in Qigu, Tainan; when talking about Fairy Pittas, they think of Huluben in Yunlin; and when mentioning Grey-faced Buzzards, they recall the annual October event in Kenting to watch their southward migration, as well as the March event in Baguashan to observe their northward return. Other examples include the Mikado Pheasant (also known as the Emperor Pheasant) and Swinhoe’s Pheasant in Snow Mountain, the Taiwan Blue Magpie in Yangmingshan, the Watercock in Guantian, Tainan, the Black Kite in Keelung Harbor, and the Christmas Island Frigatebird in Orchid Island—all of which can be called specialty birds of their respective regions.

In December 2014, a Siberian Crane, only one individual at the time and a juvenile, strayed from its flock possibly due to exhaustion during migration and ended up flying to Taiwan, where it stayed for a long time at the Qingshui Wetland in Jinshan, becoming what we call a “vagrant bird.” It remained there until May 2016, continuing to attract many visitors for viewing and photography.