Taiwan Yuhina

Overview

The Taiwan yuhina (Yuhina brunneiceps), also known as the Formosan yuhina, is a small songbird endemic to the island of Taiwan. Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it is closely related to white-eyes and the black-chinned yuhina.

Identification

• A small bird measuring 12–13 cm in length with a distinctive chocolate brown crest and a black beard stripe descending from the beak.
• The back, wings, and tail are dark ash brown, while the lower breast is lighter in colour.
• Its call sounds somewhat like 'twi-MI-chiu', resembling the phrase 'We MEET you'.

Habitat

Found in hill forests at elevations between 1,000 and 3,200 m above sea level, though it is most common between 1,500 and 2,500 m. It tends to keep to the lower forest layers and can descend to lower altitudes during the winter months.

Diet

The diet mainly consists of nectar, berries, flowers, and small insects, with a particular fondness for the flowers of the Chinese tulip tree and fruits of Elaeagnaceae and Idesia. During the breeding season in Nantou County, it consumes nectar and fruits from Taiwan cherry and eastern debregeasia, as well as nectar from Taxillus lonicerifolius mistletoe.

Did you know?

These gregarious and tame birds are sometimes observed hanging upside down on cherry trees while foraging. They often join mixed flocks with other species, particularly tits, while maintaining a constant soft chatter.