China's southwestern-most province, Yunnan, has long been neglected as a destination by travelling birdwatchers. While neighbouring Sichuan certainly has a lot to offer ornithologically, Yunnan has now relaxed restrictions on access so that some of the least disturbed areas near the Burma border can be visited.
Anyone susceptible to the allure of Thailand and the eastern Himalayas will look wistfully at a map of the region and regret that Burma looks set to remain off-limits to ornithological pilgrims for years to come: a proposed tour in early 1996 was cancelled a few days before it was scheduled to start as the essential permits were suddenly withdrawn, and the situation remains volatile. However, west of the mighty Salween river, in China, steadily improving infrastructure has made it possible to reach a variety of essentially "Burmese" habitats, from forests between 2,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level to paddies and scrub swarming with winter visitors. On this trip we will spend a full half-month here, following an itinerary which, drawing on unequalled birding experience in the area, has been carefully planned to ensure that we will have enough time in the field to properly search for the specialities of these secretive forests. Then we will re-cross the Salween to spend our last few days in the scenically impressive Dali-Lijiang region, the eastern-most extension of the Himalayas and home to a strikingly different avifauna complete with several interesting endemics. On the March 1999 tour 310 species was recorded, a total we shall be aiming to match.
Part of the charm of this enchanted, tucked-away and culturally still-authentic corner of the world is that it has yet to be discovered by Western Tourism - as a consequence facilities for visitors remain mostly basic away from the towns. On the other hand roads are far better than one might suppose, and the hospitable climate ensures a year round supply of fresh, palatable food.
Itinerary
DAY 01: Directly upon arrival at Kunming, Yunnan's capital, we will fly west to a small airport which serves Ruili on the Burma border. The town, at an altitude of only 2,000 feet, has a distinctly SE Asian feel to it, and on the drive from the airport to our hotel we'll see paddyfields complete with wallowing water buffaloes, houses built on stilts, sheltering clumps of cultivated bamboo, and ethnic Dai villagers living in a very different world from that of the vibrant, modern capital.
We'll relish being only the second birdwatching group to visit an area where c300 species have been recorded: Ruili is within easy reach of both sprawling evergreen forest, paddies, and scrub, and we're likely to add several species to the already long list.
On the whole the avifauna is reminiscent of northern Thailand's, but many species which are rare or (for winter visitors) not annual there are quite common at Ruili, and there is a more noticeable Sino-Himalayan element as well.
DAY 02: We'll devote our first morning to exploring the paddies and a small lake adjacent to the town. We're likely to find Great and Intermediate Egrets, White-breasted Waterhen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Asian Golden Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Common Snipe, River Tern, Pied, Common and White-throated Kingfishers, Oriental Skylark, Yellow and Citrine Wagtails, Richard's and Paddyfield Pipits, Long-tailed Shrike, Stonechat, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Common Tailorbird, Black-faced Bunting, White-rumped and Spotted Munias, White-vented Myna, and Black Drongo. As the morning warms up raptors overhead could include Black-shouldered and Black Kites, Hen Harrier, Steppe and with luck even Imperial Eagle.
In the afternoon we'll pay a first visit to forest edge habitat looking for Chinese Francolin, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Lesser Coucal, Asian House Martin, Scarlet Minivet, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Magpie Robin, Black-backed Forktail (on its sole Chinese locality!), Red-whiskered and Red-vented Bulbuls, Siberian Rubythroat, Pied Bushchat, Puff-throated, Rufous-capped, White-browed Scimitar, and Yellow-eyed Babblers, the sought-after Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Hwamei, Dusky, Yellow-browed, Greenish, Golden-spectacled, and Striated Warblers, Grey-headed Flycatcher, the exotic-looking Yellow-bellied and White-throated Fantails, Buff-bellied Flowerpecker, Black-throated Sunbird, Little Bunting, Common Rosefinch, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Ashy Drongo, Red-billed Blue Magpie, and Grey Treepie. As a satisfying day draws to a close we'll be looking out for the little-known Collared Myna which sometimes join pre-roosts of other species.
DAY 03-05: Three days will be spent in the extensive forests above Ruili. As things get hectic we'll be thankful of our group's small size - walking quietly along the trails we'll see successive mixed flocks of woodpeckers, babblers, warblers, flycatchers and sunbirds alternating with opportunities to stalk skulkers, watch raptors soaring, or simply wait in a promising spot by a stream, near a bamboo thicket, or under a fruiting tree.
We should see most of the following: Crested Honey Buzzard, Crested Goshawk, Red Junglefowl, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Large Hawk and Banded Bay Cuckoos, Blue-throated Barbet, Grey-headed, Lesser Yellownaped, Grey-capped, and Bay Woodpeckers, Large and Black-winged Cuckoo Shrikes, the colourful Long-tailed and Short-billed Minivets, Large Wood Shrike, Black-crested, White-throated and Black Bulbuls, Daurian Redstart, White-tailed Robin, Slaty-backed Forktail, Chestnut-bellied Rock, Eyebrowed and Black-breasted Thrushes,
Red-billed Scimitar, Golden, Grey-throated and Chestnut-capped Babblers, White-crested, both Lesser and Greater Necklaced, Black-throated and White-browed Laughingthrushes, Silver-eared Mesia, White-browed, Black-eared and Chestnut-fronted Shrike Babblers, Blue-winged Minla, Rusty-capped and Grey-cheeked Fulvettas, Striated and White-bellied Yuhinas, Grey-headed Parrotbill, the skulky Grey-bellied Tesia, Pale-footed Bush, Pallas's Leaf, Blyth's Leaf, White-tailed Leaf, and Chestnut-crowned Warblers, Rufescent and Grey-breasted Prinias, Orange-gorgetted, the minute Little Pied, Pale Blue, Hill Blue and Verditer Flycatchers, Large Niltava, Black-naped Monarch, the attractive Yellow-cheeked Tit, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Gould's Sunbird, Japanese Whiteeye, Maroon Oriole, and Bronzed Drongo.
Also present though in low densities are: Common and Rufous-throated Hill Partridges, Silver Pheasant, Thick-billed Pigeon, Greater Coucal, Red-headed Trogon, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Silver-breasted Broadbill, the rarely seen Rusty-naped Pitta, Flavescent Bulbul, Burmese Shrike, White-bellied Redstart, Streaked and Long-tailed Wren Babblers, the superb Red-faced Liocichla, White-hooded Babbler, Rufous-backed Sibia, Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Small Niltava, Purple Sunbird, and Green Magpie.
DAY 06: Today we'll somewhat reluctantly say goodbye to Ruili and depart for atmospheric Tengchong for a two night stay. We should arrive in time to put in three or four post-lunch hours on a well-wooded hill near our comfortable hotel.
Having reached almost 6,000 feet we'll encounter an array of novelties whilst at a relaxing pace birding the varied mixed woodland, scrub, and tea plantations - among the expected species are Common Pheasant, Oriental
Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Brown-breasted and Mountain Bulbuls, Grey-backed Shrike, Maroon-backed Accentor, Red-flanked Bluetail, Blue-fronted Redstart, Grey Bushchat, Spot-breasted and Streak-breasted
Scimitar Babblers, Chinese Babax, Red-tailed Minla, Brown-winged Parrotbill, Brownish-flanked Bush, Tickell's
Leaf, Buff-throated Leaf, Yellow-streaked, Buff-barred Leaf, Hume's Leaf and Lemon-rumped Warblers, Hill Prinia, Black-throated Tit, Naga Nuthatch, Bar-tailed Treecreeper,Chestnut-flanked Whiteeye, Yellow-throated Bunting, Tibetan Siskin, Black-headed Greenfinch, Russet Sparrow, Slender-billed Oriole, and Eurasian Jay.
DAY 07: As well as spending time sorting out the warblers we'll try for scarcer species such as Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Brown Wood Owl, Striated Bulbul, the gorgeous Golden Bush Robin, and Brown Bullfinch near Tengchong.
DAY 08: This morning we'll head north to Yunfengshan for some more forest birding. Eerily situated at c7,500 feet atop one of the peaks is a weather-beaten Taoist monastery where we will spend four nights. Before reaching the base of the mountain we shall check the river bed for River Lapwing and Long-billed Plover, both of which we stand a good chance of finding. Commoner waders may include Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, and Green and Common Sandpipers whilst in nearby paddies Cattle and Little Egrets are seen, perfecting the scene of picturesque, age-old rural peace.
Further open-country novelties should include Plain Martin, Grey and White Wagtails, Buff-bellied Pipit, Crested Finchbill, and Black-collared Starling.
The saddle below the monastery is now connected with the foothills by a chairlift which we'll use in order to preserve energy - going up we get close to the canopy and if we're in sync with a mixed flock of birds... Having dumped our bags in our spartan room we'll spend the afternoon looking for birds in the vicinity of the monastery.
DAYS 09-11: Early departures for the Yunfengshan trails will ensure that we have a good chance of seeing most of what this very charming site has to offer. Though the terrain is undulating there are no steep climbs, and
sit-and-wait tactics can be employed with often considerable success both at dense bamboo thickets, near flowering rhodondendrons, and under ridgetop pines.
We shall expect to see Black Eagle, Great and Golden-throated Barbets, Blue Whistling and Long-tailed Thrushes, Grey-sided and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, Red-billed Leiothrix, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Golden-breasted, Rufous-winged and Streak-throated Fulvettas, the sought-after Grey and Beautiful Sibias, White-collared Yuhina, Black-throated Parrotbill, Yellowish-bellied Bush, Ashy-throated Leaf, retiring Broad-billed, and the exceedingly smart Black-faced Warblers, Goldcrest, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Black-browed, Black-bibbed and Green-backed Tits, Green-tailed and Fire-tailed Sunbirds, and Nutcracker.
Depending on our luck we might also see a number of the scarcer inhabitants of these secretive forests - among them Koklass Pheasant, Collared Owlet, Grey Nightjar, Gould's Shortwing, White-browed Bush Robin, Spotted Forktail, Chinese Song Thrush, Striated, Scaled, Black-faced and the endangered Red-tailed Laughing- thrushes, Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Grey Crested Tit, and both Crimson-browed and Golden-naped Finches.
DAY 12: After a final morning on Yunfengshan we'll return to Tengchong for an overnight stay. Anyone not wishing to relax may try their luck on the wooded hill near our hotel before dinner.
DAY 13: We reach the impressive Gaoligongshan range by mid-morning, and after a quick brunch we'll head for the bamboo, stunted ridgetop vegetation, mature evergreen forest, overgrown stream gullies, and cultivation-edge scrub which comprise the habitat available within striking distance of our simple hostel.
Novelties we'll be hoping to see include Northern Goshawk, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Hill Partridge, Crimson-breasted and Bay Woodpeckers, River Chat, Chestnut Thrush, Slender-billed Scimitar and Pygmy Wren Babblers, Spotted Laughingthrush, White-browed Fulvetta, Whiskered, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhina, Brown Parrotbill, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Pygmy Blue Flycatcher, and White-tailed Nuthatch.
DAYS 14-15: Plenty of time is available to thoroughly cover this delightful locality, and we may well come across some of the more difficult species which have been encountered here: Rufous-throated Hill Partridge, Koklass, Silver and Lady Amherst's Pheasants, the coveted Sclater's Monal, Mountain Scops Owl, Collared Owlet, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Gould's Shortwing, Streaked and Long-tailed Wren Babblers, White-throated Laughingthrush, Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Cutia, and Vinaceous Rosefinch.
DAY 16: We'll have time for a final effort at the forest edge near our accomodation before returning to Tengchong from where we'll push on to Dali, east of the Salween.
DAY 17: We'll take the chairlift up into the forest above town after eating an approximately Western breakfast in one of the little restaurants which cater to the foreign tourists visiting pretty Dali, which is justly famous for its superb setting below towering mountains overlooking clear lake Erhai.
At above 8,000 feet the birds remain active throughout the day, and a number of species will be encountered for the first time as we work the spruce forest with patches of bamboo: Bar-winged Wren Babbler, the restricted-range Rufous-tailed Moupinia, the endemic Elliot's Laughingthrush, Green Shrike-babbler, Spectacled Fulvetta, Striated Prinia, Fire-capped and Rufous-vented Tits, and Dark-breasted Rosefinch are among the possibilities.
DAY 18: After a pre-breakfast visit to scrub above town we'll push on through Lijiang, a locally important town originally inhabited almost exclusively by ethnically very distinct Naxis, to the famed Jade Dragon mountain where we'll overnight in a recently built hostel at c9,000 feet the edge of the forest.
Secondary growth and native coniferous forest make for some interesting birdwatching on the lower slopes of the whitecapped giant - though species diversity is fairly low at this altitude, particularly at the beginning of spring, it is here that we have a chance of encountering elusive gamebirds such as Szechenyi's Monal Partridge, and White Eared, Common, Koklass and Lady Amherst's Pheasants. Even discounting these, however, we'll have plenty to look at besides the magnificent scenery which with its snowpeak and a glacier crowning the pine-bristling ridges easily equals anything the Panda reserves of neighbouring Sichuan have to offer.
In addition to the gamebirds we'll be looking for Alpine and Rufous-browed Accentors, the lovely White-throated Redstart, Chinese Song Thrush, Giant Laughingthrush, Black-headed Sibia, Songar, Grey Crested and Yellow-browed Tits, the fairly common endemic Yunnan Nuthatch, Wallcreeper, Beautiful and White-browed Rosefinches, Red Crossbill, and Grey-headed Bullfinch.
DAY 19: We'll spend the day on the Jade Dragon before retreating to Lijiang for an overnight stay.
DAY 20: On the edge of Lijiang is the supremely attractive Black Dragon Pool park which is well wooded and
generally good for birds; it is, however, the adjacent relict pines which will be our focus of attention as this is where we have a fair chance of finding the rare Giant (as well as Yunnan and Naga!) Nuthatch. Ensuring an
enjoyable morning is a fine supporting cast: Little Grebe, Common Buzzard, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Plumbeous Redstart, Naumann's Thrush, Rufous-tailed Moupinia, Chinese Babax, Elliot's Laughing- thrush, White-collared Yuhina, three species of Long-tailed Tit, and Godlewski's Rock Bunting.
In the afternoon we'll return to Kunming for a two night stay.
DAY 21: Although not far from downtown Kunming the well wooded Western Hills is worth a visit - we may be able to add White's Thrush, Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Grey-sided Bush Warbler, the recently described Chinese Leaf Warbler, and the endemic Yellow-bellied Tit to our by now long list.
We'll make sure to get back into town in time to pick up a few souvenirs before dinner.
DAY 22: Departure.
*****************
Tour price: approximately US$1,930.- from Kunming.
The price is inclusive, covering all transport, all meals w/ tea, and all accomodation. Only unscheduled sightseeing (if any), travel insurance, drinks, and anything strictly personal (eg visa fees, laundry, phone calls, excess luggage charges, airport tax on departure, snacks) is not included. Single rooms will be available in some places - please enquire.
Group size: 3.
Tour start: Day 01 is likely to be Saturday 4 March 2000. Anyone (minimum three people) preferring to do the trip at another time (anytime mid-October to mid/late April is suitable) should enquire about the possibilities.
Transport: Within Yunnan we'll fly wherever possible, but there will be one or two longer journeys by coach. Shorter distances will mostly be covered by car.
Food: We will mostly have lunch in the field - provisions will be purchased locally - while evening meals will be taken at local restaurants.
Weather: At this season the region enjoys very pleasant weather, cool in the mornings and mostly warm in the daytime. Tengchong can be overcast but it is unlikely to rain much; elsewhere we'll expect little or no rain. Lijiang, indeed, is known for its sunny skies but due to altitude may remain cool/cold-ish for much of the day.
Photography: we'll spend our time trying to see birds, and as getting photos of forest birds is notoriously difficult anything beyond equipment suitable for landscape shots may prove just so much extra weight.
Health: Anyone in general good health and reasonably fit should be able to fully enjoy this exciting journey. As we reach only moderate altitudes (and only after being thoroughly acclimatized) altitude sickness will not be a worry.
Consult your doctor re. any specific precautions, vaccinations etc. - the risk of malaria is negligible at the time of our visit.
Note that only fairly unsophisticated medical facilities exist away from Kunming - all particpants must accept the full implications of this.
Essential equipment: Rainproof jacket (+ ditto light overtrousers?); hiking boots (preferably waterproof); sandals; sleeping bag; woolen hat & gloves & sweater/fleece jacket & longjohns (mainly for Lijiang); sun hat; sun glasses; sunscreen lotion & ditto lip balm (protection factor 15+ is best); some lozenges, chocolate & snacks; large water bottle (100C heat resistant); drinking mug; small torch; lighter; ear plugs (one or two of the hostels can be rather noisy).
It is recommended not to bring a telescope - carrying it in forest simply isn't worth the effort!
General note: There will be no camping, and no trekking as such: physical effort will be moderate as emphasis will be on seeing birds, not on covering as many miles as possible on foot.
Though all possible efforts will be made to stick to the itinerary this may not always be possible due to circumstances beyond our control: a degree of flexibility is thus required, and participants must be adventurous and willing to put up with the rigours inherent in travel in fairly remote & culturally alien areas.
Booking: for details on how to join please contact
Jesper Hornskov
Bei Ling Lu 4 Duan no. 1
Apartment 3-402
Beidaihe 066100
Hebei Province
Phone/fax +86 335 403 4587 E-mail: goodbird@public.qhptt.he.cn
Species list
P = possible - for scarcer species. We are bound to see a number of these.
P*= scarce species recorded on March 1999 trip.
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Little Green Heron Butorides striatus P
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Great Egret Egretta alba
Intermediate Egret E. intermedia
Little Egret E. garzetta
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Spotbill A. poecilorhyncha
Osprey Pandion haliaeetus P
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis P
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus P
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela P
Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus (aeruginosus) spilonotus
Hen Harrier C. cyaneus
Pied Harrier C. melanoleucos P
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis P
Shikra A. badius P
Besra A. virgatus P
Eurasian Sparrowhawk A. nisus
Crested Goshawk A. trivirgatus
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus P*
Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis
Imperial Eagle A. heliaca P*
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus P
Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis P
Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Peregrine F. peregrinus
Szechenyi's Monal Partridge Tetraophasis szechenyii P*
Chinese Francolin Francolinus pintadeanus
Common Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola
Rufous-throated Hill Partridge A. rufogularis P*
White-cheeked Hill Partridge A. atrogularis P
Mountain Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola fytchii
Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha P
Sclater's Monal Lophophorus sclateri P
Silver Pheasant Lophura nyctemera P*
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
White Eared Pheasant Crossoptilon crossoptilon P*
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus P
Lady Amherst's Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae
Barred Button-quail Turnix suscitator P
Black-tailed Crake Amaurornis bicolor P*
White-breasted Waterhen A. phoenicurus
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus P
Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus P*
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus P
River Lapwing V. duvaucelii
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Long-billed Plover C. placidus
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus P
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos P
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola P*
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Pintail Snipe G. stenura P
Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus P*
River Tern Sterna aurantia P
Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba hodgsonii
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Red Turtle Dove S. tranquebarica P
Spotted Dove S. chinensis P
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica P*
Thick-billed Pigeon Treron curvirostra P*
Pintailed Pigeon T. apicauda P
Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides
Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii P*
Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus P*
Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis P*
Lesser Coucal C. bengalensis
Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus
Collared Scops Owl O.bakkamoena P*
Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei
Asian Barred Owlet G. cuculoides P
Jungle Owlet G. radiatum P*
Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica P
Tawny Owl S. aluco P*
Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus
Savannah Nightjar C. affinis P
Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris
White-vented Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis P*
Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus
House Swift A. affinis
Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus P
Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus P*
Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis P
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis P
Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctiornis athertoni P
Hoopoe Upupa epops
Great Barbet Megalaima virens
Golden-throated Barbet M. franklinii
Blue-throated Barbet M. asiatica
Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus P
White-browed Piculet Sasia ochracea P
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
Greater Yellownape P. flavinucha P
Lesser Yellownape P. chlorolophus
Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus P
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major
Darjeeling Woodpecker D. darjellensis
Crimson-breasted Woodpecker D. cathpharius P*
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker D. atratus P*
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker D. hyperythrus P*
Grey-capped Woodpecker D. canicapillus
Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis
Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus P*
Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae P*
Rusty-naped Pitta Pitta oatesi P*
Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris
Barn Swallow H. rustica
Red-rumped Swallow H. daurica
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Citrine Wagtail M. citreola calcarata + M. c. citreola P
Grey Wagtail M. cinerea
White Wagtail M. alba
Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi
Paddyfield Pipit A. rufulus
Blyth's Pipit A. godlewskii P
Olive-backed Pipit A. hodgsonii
Rosy Pipit A. roseatus P
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens P*
Red-throated Pipit A. cervinus P
Large Cuckoo Shrike Coracina macei
Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike C. melaschista
Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus P
Grey-chinned Minivet P. solaris
Long-tailed Minivet P. ethologus
Short-billed Minivet P. brevirostris
Scarlet Minivet P. flammeus
Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike Hemipus picatus
Large Wood Shrike Tephrodornis gularis
Crested Finchbill Spizixos canifrons
Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus P
Black-crested Bulbul P. melanicterus
Red-whiskered Bulbul P. jocosus
Brown-breasted Bulbul P. xanthorrhous
Red-vented Bulbul P. cafer
Flavescent Bulbul P. flavescens
White-throated Bulbul Criniger flaveolus
Mountain Bulbul Hypsipetes mcclellandii
Ashy Bulbul H. flavala
Black Bulbul H. madagascariensis
Common Iora Aegithina tiphia P
Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons P*
Orange-bellied Leafbird C. hardwickii
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus P
Burmese Shrike L. collurioides P
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach
Grey-backed Shrike L. tephronotus
Northern Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris P
Rufous-browed Accentor P. strophiata P*
Maroon-backed Accentor P. immaculata
Gould's Shortwing Brachypteryx stellata P*
Lesser Shortwing B. leucophrys P
White-browed Shortwing B. montana P
Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope
Siberian Blue Robin L. cyane P
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus
White-browed Bush Robin T. indicus P*
Golden Bush Robin T. chrysaeus P*
Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis
Hodgson's Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni P
Blue-fronted Redstart P. frontalis
White-throated Redstart P. schisticeps P*
Daurian Redstart P. auroreus
Plumbeous Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus
White-bellied Redstart Hodgsonius phoenicuroides P
White-tailed Robin Cinclidium leucurum P*
White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaultii P
Spotted Forktail E. maculatus
Black-backed Forktail E. immaculata
Slaty-backed Forktail E. schistaceus
Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Pied Bushchat S. caprata
Grey Bushchat S. ferrea
River Chat Chaimarrornis leucocephala
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris
Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus
White's Thrush Zoothera dauma P
Plain-backed Thrush Z. dixoni P
Long-tailed Ground Thrush Z. dixoni
Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus P*
Black-breasted Thrush T. dissimilis
Grey-winged Blackbird T. boulboul P
Naumann's Thrush T. naumanni
Chestnut Thrush T. rubrocanus
Chinese Song Thrush T. mupinensis P*
Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps
Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis
White-browed Scimitar Babbler P. schisticeps albipectus
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler P. ruficollis similis
Red-billed Scimitar Babbler P. ochraceiceps P*
Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler Xiphirrhynchus superciliaris P*
Streaked Wren Babbler Napothera brevicaudata P*
Pygmy Wren Babbler Pnoepyga pusilla
Bar-winged Wren Babbler Spelaeornis troglodytoides P*
Long-tailed Wren Babbler S. chocolatinus P*
Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ruficeps
Golden Babbler S. chrysaea
Grey-throated Babbler S. nigriceps
Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata
Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomna sinense P
Rufous-tailed Moupinia Moupinia poecilotis
Chinese Babax Babax lanceolatus
White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis P
White-crested Laughingthrush G. leucoplophus
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush G. monileger
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush G. pectoralis
Striated Laughingthrush G. striatus P
Black-throated Laughingthrush G. chinensis P*
Moustached Laughingthrush G. cineraceus P
Giant Laughingthrush G. maximus P*
Spotted Laughingthrush G. ocellatus
Grey-sided Laughingthrush G. caerulatus
Rufous-necked Laughingthrush G. ruficollis
Hwamei G. canorus
White-browed Laughingthrush G. sannio
Scaled Laughingthrush G. subunicolor P
Elliot's Laughingthrush G. elliotii
Black-faced Laughinthrush G. affinis P
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush G. erythrocephalus
Red-tailed Laughingthrush G. milnei P*
Red-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea P*
Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris
Red-billed Leiothrix L. lutea
Cutia Cutia nipalensis P
Black-headed Shrike-babbler Pteruthius rufiventer P*
White-browed Shrike-babbler P. flaviscapis
Green Shrike-babbler P. xanthochlorus P*
Black-eared Shrike-babbler P. melanotis
Chestnut-fronted Shrike-babbler P. aenobarbus
White-hooded Babbler Gampsorhynchus rufulus P
Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni
Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanuroptera
Chestnut-tailed Minla M. strigula
Red-tailed Minla M. ignotinta
Golden-breasted Fulvetta Alcippe chrysotis
Rufous-winged Fulvetta A. castaneceps
White-browed Fulvetta A. vinipectus
Spectacled Fulvetta A. ruficapilla
Streak-throated Fulvetta A. cinereiceps
Rusty-capped Fulvetta A. dubia
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta A. morrisonia
Rufous-backed Sibia Heterophasia annectans P*
Grey Sibia H. gracilis
Black-headed Sibia H. melanoleuca
Beautiful Sibia H. pulchella
Long-tailed Sibia H. picaoides P*
Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps
Whiskered Yuhina Y. flavicollis
Stripe-throated Yuhina Y. gularis
White-collared Yuhina Y. diademata
Rufous-vented Yuhina Y. occipitalis
White-bellied Yuhina Y. zantholeuca
Brown Parrotbill Paradoxornis unicolor P*
Brown-winged Parrotbill P. brunneus
Ashy-throated Parrotbill P. alphonsianus P*
Fulvous Parrotbill P. fulvifrons P
Black-throated Parrotbill P. nipalensis
Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill P. atrosupercilliaris P
Grey-headed Parrotbill P. gularis
Chestnut-headed Tesia Tesia castaneocoronata
Slaty-bellied Tesia T. olivea P
Grey-bellied Tesia T. cyaniventer
Pale-footed Bush Warbler Cettia pallidipes P*
Manchurian Bush Warbler C. (diphone) canturians P*
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler C. fortipes
Aberrant Bush Warbler C. flavolivacea P
Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler C. acanthizoides P*
Grey-sided Bush Warbler C. brunnifrons P*
Spotted Bush Warbler Bradypterus thoracicus P
Russet Bush Warbler B. seebohmi P*
Tickell's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus offinis
Buff-throated Leaf Warbler P. subaffinis
Dusky Warbler P. fuscatus
Yellow-streaked Warbler P. armandii
Buff-barred Leaf Warbler P. pulcher
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus
Hume's Leaf Warbler P. humei mandelli
Pallas's Leaf Warbler P. proregulus
Lemon-rumped Warbler P. chloronotus
Chinese Leaf Warbler P. sichuanensis P
Ashy-throated Leaf Warbler P. maculipennis
Greenish Warbler P. trochiloides
Blyth's Leaf Warbler P. reguloides
White-tailed Leaf Warbler P. davisoni
Yellow-vented Leaf Warbler P. cantator P
"Top" Golden-spectacled Warbler Seicercus "burkii" sp.
"Middle" Golden-spectacled Warbler S. "burkii" sp.
"Bottom" Golden-spectacled Warbler S. "burkii" sp.
Chestnut-crowned Warbler S. castaniceps
Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni P*
Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus supercilliaris P
Black-faced Warbler A. schisticeps
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis P
Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens
Grey-breasted Prinia P. hodgsoni
Tawny-flanked Prinia P. subflava
Yellow-bellied Prinia P. flaviventris P
Striated Prinia P. criniger
Hill Prinia P. atrogularis
Common Tailorbird Orthomus sutorius
Mountain Tailorbird O. cucullatus
Striated Warbler Megalurus palustris
Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula (parva) albicilla
Orange-gorgetted Flycatcher F. strophiata
White-gorgetted Flycatcher F. monileger P*
Snowy-browed Flycatcher F.hyperythra
Slaty-backed Flycatcher F. hodgsonii P*
Little Pied Flycatcher F. westermanni
Slaty-blue Flycatcher F. tricolor P*
Large Niltava Niltava grandis
Small Niltava N. macgrigoriae P*
Rufous-bellied Niltava N. sundara P
Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor P*
Chinese Blue Flycatcher C. glaucicomans P
Hill Blue Flycatcher C. banyumas
Pygmy Blue Flycatcher Muscicapella hodgsoni
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina
Grey-headed Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea P*
Yellow-bellied Fantail Chelidorhynx hypoxantha
White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Black-throated Tit A. concinnus
Black-browed Tit A. iouschistos
Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus flammiceps P*
Black-bibbed Tit Parus hypermelaena
Songar Tit P. songarus weigoldicus
Rufous-vented Tit P. rubidiventris
Coal Tit P. ater
Yellow-bellied Tit P. venustulus P
Grey Crested Tit P. dichrous
Great Tit P. major
Green-backed Tit P. monticolus
Yellow-cheeked Tit P. spilonotus
Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus P*
Naga Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis
White-tailed Nuthatch S. himalayensis P*
Yunnan Nuthatch S. yunnanensis
Giant Nuthatch S. magna P*
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch S. frontalis
Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria P
Common Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Bar-tailed Treecreeper C. himalayana
Brown-throated Treecreeper C. discolor
Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor P
Buff-bellied Flowerpecker D. ignipectus
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis P
Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica P*
Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae
Green-tailed Sunbird A. nipalensis
Black-throated Sunbird A. saturata P*
Crimson Sunbird A. siparaja P
Fire-tailed Sunbird A. ignicauda
Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna P*
Chestnut-flanked Whiteeye Zosterops erythropleura
Japanese Whiteeye Z. japonica
Oriental Whiteeye Z. palpebrosa P
Crested Bunting Melophus lathami P*
Eastern Rock Bunting Emberiza godlewskii
Tristram's bunting E. tristrami P
Chestnut-eared Bunting E. fucata P*
Little Bunting E. pusilla
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans P*
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala P*
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Tibetan Siskin Carduelis thibetanus
Black-headed Greenfinch C. ambigua
Dark-breasted Rosefinch C. nipalensis P*
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus
Beautiful Rosefinch C. pulcherrimus P
Vinaceous Rosefinch C. vinaceus P
White-browed Rosefinch C. thura P
Crimson-browed Finch Propyrrhula subhimachala P*
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis P*
White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carniceps P*
Golden-naped Finch Pyrrhoplectes epauletta P*
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata P
Spotted Munia L. punctulata P
Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans
Tree Sparrow P. montanus
Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus
Black-collared Starling S. nigricollis
White-vented Myna Acridotheres cinereus
Collared Myna A. albocinctus P
Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris
Maroon Oriole O. trailii
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy Drongo D. leucophaeus
Bronzed Drongo D. aeneus
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo D. remifer P*
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo D. paradiseus P
Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus P
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha
White-winged Magpie Cissopica whiteheadi P
Green Magpie Cissa chinensis P*
Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae
Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes
Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
House Crow Corvus splendens P
Large-billed Crow C. macrorhynchos
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