Participants: Hemme Batjes, Andrew Duff, Duncan Himes,
Ann Lawson, Brian Sykes and Peter & Dorothy Webster
Temminck’s Tragopan, Wuyipeng Research Station (James Eaton/Birdtour Asia)
Sichuan is doubtless one of the most fascinating bird regions in the eastern Palaearctic, and a hotspot for pheasants, laughingthrushes, warblers, parrotbills and many other groups that are high on the agenda of the travelling birdwatcher. This tour was no exception and was an unforgettable birding experience, with sightings of some of the rarest and most enigmatic birds of Asia. Our trip harvest was exceptional; 14 galliforms seen well(including Blue Eared Pheasant, Chinese Monal & male Golden Pheasant), 7 parrotbills, 30 warblers, 12 Laughingthrushes, and great views of 26 babbler species, in addition to many other specialties.
After arrival into Chengdu we made an afternoon excursion to Huan Huanxi Park in downtown Chengdu. Our afternoon in the Red Basin’s subtropical heat was spent admiring Chinese Blackbirds and convincing the blurry-eyed participants of its credentials as a good species while impressive Chinese Grosbeaks hopped about on the restaurant tables and large, roving flocks of Black-throated Tits and Vinous-throated Parrotbills buzzed through the ornamental bamboo thickets accompanied a single Ashy-throated Parrotbill - a welcome early addition to the tour list. Our first of 12 species of Laughingthrush recorded on the tour was found here with numerous confiding White-browed Laughingthrushes hopping about on the freshly mown lawns. Chinese Bulbuls and Collared Finchbill constantly revealed their presence with their raucous songs, a trait that would continue throughout our journey. During the late afternoon we scanned the tree tops for starlings, but we were unsuccessful and would have to wait until our final afternoon before we finally connected with several White-cheeked. Our evening meal
introduced us to the wonders of the famed Sichuanese food and our collective dislike for Tofu and those hot, hot, spices (sorry Brian!).
Our first full day was largely a driving day, as we made the journey 350km north to Juizhaigou; studying the shift in cultures as we passed through the various villages, becoming more Tibetan the further north we drove. Birding was restricted to a few pit-stops but this still gave us singing Daurian Redstart, Japanese Tit (a justified split from Great Tit), Red-billed Chough and Pacific Swifts along with Common Pheasant, a species noted with considerable excitement among the European contingent! Our first ‘proper’ birding stop wasn’t until the late afternoon, when a walk through the open spruce forest south of Juizhaigou produced a wonderful pair of Crested Tit-Warblers below eye-level, the male performing a remarkable display, shimmering his wings with crest erect, dancing around the female, a superb introduction to Sichuans bird-life. Our first encounter with the perplexing Phylloscopus warblers of the region was with the readily identifiable Tickell’s Lear-Warbler, busy feeding in the nearby bushes along with gaudy Blue-fronted and White-throated Redstarts and two Pink-rumped Rosefinch, the latter our only sightings of the tour. Busy feeding parties of tits comprised Grey-crested, Rufous-vented and Coal, the latter here of the completely dissimilar, crested subspecies aemodius, which (as DNA studies have it) may actually be closer genetically to the western Himalayan Spot-winged Tit. Our second galliform of the day, 3 Blood Pheasants weren’t so co-operative but their time would come in due course.
Blue Eared-Pheasant, Roeurgei Black-necked Crane, Roeurgei
We began our next morning full of anticipation of what lay in store in the scenically spectacular Juizhaigou National Park, an outstanding world heritage site. The one draw back about the park is the strict opening hours, though we were able to have our own vehicle during our 2-day stay here, so not having to keep with the usual routine of using the parks rigid bus system. Our main target bird was the little-known Rufous-headed Robin, a fine songster, and though we were able to admire its wonderful chorus we could only manage mere glimpses of this highly elusive species. Juizhaigou can be teeming with birds, and though it took a while, we eventually found them, and began to enjoy the birds as they competed with the scenery for our attentions. Phylloscopus warblers kept us entertained as we went through their characteristics, Chinese Leaf-Warblers were particularly conspicuous as they sang continually from the tree-tops, Sichuan (split from Lemon-rumped), Claudia’s (split from Blyth’s), Large-billed, Hume’s, Buff-barred, Greenish and finally, Yellow-streaked Warblers all performed as hoped. The higher reaches of the valleys held Tibetan Siskin, chunky White-winged Grosbeak, numerous Elliot’s Laughingthrushes, a fine pair of Vinaceous Rosefinch and Bar-tailed Treecreeper amongst its commoner relative, the recently-split (from Eurasian) Hodgson’s Treecreeper. Overhead Golden Eagles soared the skies above the mighty rock faces. Lower down the valley, the side-trails produced a new set of avifauna for us, Pere David’s Tits sulked in the rain, a Black-streaked Scimitar-babbler (split off from the ‘Spot-breasted’ complex) finally gave itself up and a male Indian Blue-Robin put on a fine performance singing from the road verge. A pair of Chinese Nuthatch turned out to be our only ones on the tour after another skulker, a White-bellied Redstart, had put on an equally impressive performance (had it of been an adult rather than an immature anyway!).
As many of Juizhaigou’s specialties can now be found more readily elsewhere, we departed south then west, birding en-route until we reached the Tibetan town of Roeurgei. Our stops produced many of the hoped-for species with Sukatshev’s Laughingthrush - a shy range-restricted species - seen at two sites,
being the most notable. Elsewhere in the spruce forest the freshly budding bushes hosted many Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, though a female Three-barred was just too brief for most, and a pair of Chinese Fulvetta quietly fed on the ground as did a showy pair of vocal Blood Pheasant. A Yellowish-bellied Bush-warbler went through its full repertoire just feet away, sitting on an open branch for all to admire. As we left the forest for the open plains weigoldei Dusky Warbler, Kessler’s Thrush and a fine pair of White-browed Tit-Warblers favoured the low scrub, as White-throated Redstarts became an increasingly common sight. Gaining elevation took us to the vast open plains along the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau, orientalis Carrion Crow competed with Large-billed Crow (of the recently split japonensis group, with this newly-elevated species keeping the common English name), and our first Black-necked Crane graced a nearby marsh, as Horned Lark and Oriental Skylarks ran around us in the foreground.
A brief walk to ‘migrant hill’ in Roeurgei town in the early evening held a surprise Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, a flyby Red-billed Starling along with large, swirling flocks of Twite on their way to roost.
Chinese Grey Shrike, Roeurgei Sichuan Jay, Mengbishan
The previous afternoon we heard the distant croaking calls of the Blue Eared-Pheasant, a species everyone was keen to see, so dawn saw us on-site just in case. Shortly after our wait began, the loud calls again emanated from a spruce-clad valley, before a pair flew across from one side to the other and into a hidden gulley; much to our anguish! In between waiting for the birds to walk out of the gulley the distinctive rattles and cries of Verreaux’s Monal-Partridges suddenly started from behind us, as a bird showed silhouetted against the early morning sky not to be seen again. By this point we were starting to get worried the pheasants had moved back into the forest, but as soon as the leader signalled that another long, demanding walk might be necessary, the birds popped out of the valley and fed in an alpine meadow for the next 20 minutes! Under a bright blue sky we birded the rest of the morning in beautiful coniferous forest along the roadside. A pair of Giant Laughingthrushes performed to perfection under the sun, while a Chinese Grouse whizzed past the vehicle before being relocated as it flew across a gorge for us to admire. Pere David’s Laughingthrushes flocked under the bushes and once again the budding scrub held large numbers of passerines: Common and Beautiful Rosefinches, Great and Sichuan Willow Tit (a taxon split from Songar Tit p.songarus using mtdDNA evidence, which also indicates p. songarus should be best treated as a race of Willow Tit). On our return to Roeurgei town a road block had been put in place at short notice, meaning that unless we took the 250km detour we would have to walk the 5km back to town and forget about our afternoon activities! Fortunately after some quick thinking and phone calls we soon had two small, rustic vehicles on the other side awaiting our arrival. This excitement was followed by mouth-watering views of a family of recently-fledged Chinese Grey Shrikes, a very welcome bonus. Taking our newly acquired vehicles, complete with Tibetan drivers, on to the open plains surrounding a nearby lake ended a splendid day. Roadside birds included White-rumped Snowfinch and Hume’s Ground-tits amongst the colonies of Black-lipped Pika and Himalayan Marmots, carefully scrutinised by eagle-sized Upland Buzzards, seemingly perched on every available telegraph and electricity post; plus a fine sprinkling of Steppe Eagles, and a hunting Sakar Falcon. In the wetter areas Black-necked Cranes became an increasingly common roadside bird and a short walk produced several huge Tibetan Larks, dwarfing the nearby Horned Larks.
Fortunately our driver and minibus made it through the road blocks late the following night enabling us to continue the journey, after a round of applause for his patience and commitment to the cause. Snow sprinkled the landscape overnight, producing a dramatic backdrop to a predominantly driving day. Himalayan Griffons sat patiently in groups waiting for the snow to thaw, with one group containing a fine immature Cinereous Vulture. Hume’s Ground-tit along with orange-bellied rufiventris Black & Hodgson’s Redstarts dotted the roadside, mingling with rosy-rumped Twite. Odd birding stops en-route produced Ferruginous Pochard, lineatus Black Kite, black-backed calcarata Citrine Wagtails, and yet more Pere David’s Laughingthrushes, White-browed Tit-warblers and Chinese Grey Shrikes; before we reached our next base, Maerkang, in the evening.
Grandala, Balang Shan Tibetan Snowcock, Balang Shan
Ready for dawn and full of excitement, saw us on the way up to the cold, mist-glad summit of Mengbishan. Certainly not what we were hoping for, unlike the male Koklass Pheasant sat by the roadside on the way up. Our second bird of the day, Sichuan Jay, could only be identified on shape and call! Our morning was spent moping through the beautiful coniferous forest, succeeding in seeing little until at last the mist started to lift, offering us a glimmer of hope as our first White Eared-Pheasants appeared on the hillside opposite, and Blood Pheasants above us. Then a fine party of stunning Three-banded Rosefinch, quickly followed by a mesmerised Przewalski's Nuthatch that just sat and watched, tentatively looking for its invisible intruder. At lunch Chinese Fulvetta, Giant Laughingthrush, Beautiful, Common and Chinese White-browed Rosefinches joined us once again. Feeling refreshed we neared the summit, this time in fine weather. Soon we were treated to prolonged views of a pair of Verreaux’s Monal-Partridges calling raucously on the slope just above us. Just after handshakes all round, 4 Sichuan Jays glided overhead then started to fed around us within a few metres for 10 minutes, a wonderful experience and a delightful moment as the cameras whirred away on these little-known birds. As our brilliant day came to a close a party of Chinese Babax finally showed, and a singing Firethroat at close-range would be one we would leave for another day, we didn’t want to be too greedy!
Another driving day and thanks to our good fortune the previous day, we were able to make an early start on the road, via a couple more Blood Pheasants, and head for Wolong National Park, a UNESCO site famed for the Giant Pandas both roaming free and at the captive breeding centre. Driving through a spectacularly deep, long gorge we stopped to admire a close colony of Hill Pigeons as a fully-grown Lammergeier chick peered out of its huge nest, looking ready to make its first flight. 2007 appeared to be the year China would rebuild its public highways, and we were left dismayed as they attempted to relay a 140km road over the scenic Balangshan which would double our driving time. We eventually trudged our way over and down the 4500m high pass, stopping to admire a pair of Tibetan Snowcock in the snow, then hearing their eerie duetting before they flew past together with the mountain back-drop, superb! We would have two full days at the pass, something we were looking forward to for the following day.
One of the highlights of the tour is always the birding at Balangshan, and this year was no exception. Our first of two mornings saw us placed at a strategic viewpoint ready for the early morning sun. Unfortunately the road works had begun early, reducing our chances of seeing our holy grail as the hillside around us shook visibly as dynamite exploded inside for the new tunnel being built. A raucous male White Eared-Pheasant nearby provided a glimmer of hope, then, casually strolling out of the grassy valley were 3 Chinese Monals, including a fine adult male with its multi-coloured plumes glowing in the sunlight, simply stunning! We could now relax, soaking in these magnificent birds, and then
carried on birding under the sun with a fabulous backdrop of snow-glad peaks. Birds flowed throughout the morning, so much so, that we cleaned up on all of our target birds - Dark-breasted Rosefinches fed nearby, an adult Lammergeier circled low overhead. As we neared the pass, a Grandala popped up at the roadside, a male of an impossible glowing purple, bounding along an alpine meadow, and a Red-fronted Rosefinch sang from its rocky outcrop. Venturing over the pass both Brandt’s and Plain Mountain-Finches quickly followed as Snow Pigeons whirred around us, then a Snow Partridge was picked up, its silhouette breaking the horizon perfectly. As we settled down for lunch Himalayan Rubythroats were in fine voice as we admired several singing from prominent perches nearby. Due to our success we turned back to our comfortable hotel attempting to avoid the late afternoon road workings. Our second morning saw us ready pre-dawn in the hope of glimpsing lekking Wood Snipes, but despite hearing their bizarre vocalisations below us, the thick mist thwarted our attempts to actually see them. As the weather refused to budge we headed lower down the mountain, finally catching up with a perched Lesser Cuckoo thanks to Ann, whose uncanny knack at picking up cuculus cuckoos was startling, with several more to follow over the next two weeks! This was shortly followed by a Large Hawk-Cuckoo, and a singing White-browed Bush-Robin was most welcome, perched close to the roadside. Two male Firethroats singing at the roadside were even more greatly appreciated, despite the road workers best attempts to drown out our attempts at playback!
Birding the scrub behind our hotel produced several new trip birds, notably Chinese Thrush and Ferruginous Flycatcher in the conifers, and plentiful but surprisingly elusive Marten’s Warblers singing from the bushes. After much chasing and stalking a co-operative male Golden Pheasant was found glowing inside a favoured bush that it kept returning to, despite our prying eyes. The tour was turning into a galliform mega for us all!
Barred Laughingthrush, Wuyipeng (James Eaton/Birdtour Asia)
Another major highlight of the Sichuan tour is our 2-night stay at Wuyipeng Research Centre. Situated in the heart of a fairytail moss-clad forest, with a rich bamboo understory, which is home to the iconic Giant Panda. The steep hike up was completed swiftly as our group of sprightly hikers performed the task with no grumblings (of sorts!). Our only Green Shrike-Babbler was found near the top, and after another classic Chinese meal we hit the trail, seeing little by the time the weather had closed-in. Fortunately we arrived back at our lodgings to find a female Temminck’s Tragopan busy chewing on leaves in the mid-story, and as dusk approached a Barred Laughingthrush appeared in front of us, giving exceptional views, a welcome introduction to Wuyipeng!
We awoke full of anticipation the following morning. Slowly walking the trails over the day and the following morning produced some mouth-watering views of a fiery red Temminck’s Tragopan glowing as it fed quietly near to the trail. One of several we observed during our stay, and promptly became our unanimous bird of the tour. Great Parrotbills crunched the bamboo in half at equally close-range. During one of our three Firethroat sightings, an inquisitive Three-toed Parrotbill continually circled and zipped around us, giving some a headache until it eventually began to calm down. Other wanted species kept turning up; a gigantic Spotted Laughingthrush performed nicely, Sooty Tits were seen regularly.
Nutcrackers were finally pinned down, a tiny Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler hopped into view, and a confusing woodpecker situation culminated with us obtaining fine views of both White-backed and Crimson-breasted as various passerine-filled feeding flocks kept us amused in between these highlights. Bidding farewell to this magical forest we descended back to our hotel to begin another roadwork-filled drive south of Chengdu to yet another stunning national park - Wawu Shan - for a 3-night stay.
A morning was all we needed on the bamboo smothered table-top summit. On finally getting out of the tiny cable-car cabins we were greeted by the awesome sight of White-throated Needletails whizzing overhead. The recently discovered Sichuan Treecreeper was one of our first targets to fall, shortly followed by a host of exciting bush-Warblers. Aberrant, Yellowish-bellied, Spotted, Brownish-flanked, Chestnut-crowned and a couple of cracking Brown Bush-Warblers, the latter singing like a sewing-machines from exposed perches! The various tacks, ticks and trills emanating from the dwarf-bamboo came from a host of beautiful creatures; pairs of Fulvous Parrotbills continually responded to our pishing, flitting around our knees. A marvellous experience along with Grey-hooded Fulvetta and the occasional Golden Bush-Robin. Eventually we located a pair of feisty Grey-hooded Parrotbill busy chirping from the bamboo, a really cool bird! Above the bamboo Black-faced Laughingthrush eventually put in an appearance, as did Vinaceous Rosefinch, Stripe-throated Yuhina and Darjeeling Woodpecker.
We spent our final hour admiring the ‘Chinglish’ signs put up around the forest to really bamboozle our minds (See photos below, or e-mail us for more pictures!).
‘Chinglish’ Signs, Huan Huanxi Park (right), Wawu Shan (left) (James Eaton/Birdtour Asia)
Spending almost 2 days on the lower slopes of the mountain was equally productive. A female Lady Amherst’s Pheasant strolled across the road in the early morning for all to admire, before a showy Emei Leaf-Warbler sang from an exposed perch. Many species previously considered specialties of Emei Shan are more readily found here, so we were keen to make the most of the time. Emei Liocichla gradually gave better and better views with each individual we came across. Laughingthrushes were particularly conspicuous during our stay, with some fine groups of Buffy Laughingthrushes, but Red-winged proved rather elusive. Chinese Babax called veraciously with recently fledged young in attendance, and Black-streaked Scimitar-babblers put on a fine performance. Gradually birding lower, the avifaunal shift became noticeable, with three Brown Bullfinches perched close-by followed by a singing Chinese Blue-Flycatcher - the finest songster on the tour which put on a wonderful show at the roadside. Eventually a Kloss’s Leaf-Warbler was found singing from a favoured perch, while a Fujian Niltava put in a brief appearance in a deep valley. However one of the favourites was the Lesser Shortwing in full volume, so close that we could see his little tonsils busily vibrating. The bamboo understory along the roadside played host to a different set of little gems to the summit, as colourful Golden-breasted Fulvetta and Golden Parrotbills continually vied for our attention, as did Red-billed Leiothrix and White-collared Yuhina.
Following the lure of Mt Emei we departed Wawu, stopping for a singing Hwamei and several perched Grey-capped Greenfinch. Emei Shan is one of Buddhism’s four Holy Mountains, and owing to its religious significance remains one of the last bastions of subtropical primary forest habitat in Sichuan. We would spend the following three nights at Mt Emei, each at a different elevation so as to take in as much of its rich birdlife as possible. Starting below the summit we noted Blanford’s Rosefinches feeding in the coniferous canopy - always a tricky species. Both the Phylloscopus and Seicercus warblers are a particular feature of the mountain, and it was enjoyable noticing the elevational shift between species as we walked down the long-winding steps to the base of the mountain. From the beginning of the walk we
noticed Bianchi’s Warbler, Large-billed and Buff-barred Leaf-Warblers among the numerous feeding flocks, which also held a junco-like male Slaty Bunting, a showy White-browed Shortwing and yet more Emei Liocichla, Golden-breasted Fulvetta and Golden Parrotbill. Some fine songsters during the day included a posing White-bellied Redstart, a surprise Hwamei, a pair of Grey-winged Blackbird and best of all, a Vivid Niltava singing from the pinnacle of a nearby conifer at Xianfeng Monastery, our next overnight stop. Before a welcome rest we went night-birding with two Collared Owlets putting in an appearance at dusk then it wasn’t long before the distant hoots of a Chinese Tawny Owl were heard. Not to be put off, our persistence paid off, as after a tense wait the owl was found perched at eye-level right in front of us! The distinct vocalisations and morphological differences were all noted on this split from the Eurasian Tawny Owl we all know well. The avifaunal shift changed to Marten’s Warbler, Emei, Claudia’s and Sichuan Leaf-Warblers shortly before Xianfeng, and during our walk towards the base we noticed the next change as first White-spectacled Warbler appeared, then the final Seicercus of the tour, Alstrom’s Warbler. Also Phylloscopus number 15 of the tour, Sulphur-breasted Warbler finally made an appearance, amazingly our 29th warbler, with just Rufous-faced to go to complete the 30. The stroll down the mountain wasn’t just about the warblers. A Purple Cochoa was found singing from an exposed branch along a ridge top, large numbers of Speckled Wood-Pigeon and Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeons flocked in their usual fruiting trees. Black-chinned Yuhina were a constant source of pishing amusement, while Chinese Blue-Flycatchers put in further appearances, and both Spotted and Little Forktails vied for the position of our favourite forktail.
Fulvous Parrotbill, Wawu Shan Grey-hooded Parrotbill, Wawu Shan
Birding the base of Emei Shan was to be our final birding. A single Ashy-throated Parrotbill was found in the stream-side vegetation. Along the stream we also completed the full set of Sichuan forktails at this one site, with a gorgeous pair of Slaty-backed being joined by a White-crowned. Recent DNA studies show that the local subspecies sinensis is clearly distinct from its southern Indochinese neighbour, and may well merit species status in the future. Edging towards Fuhu Monastery, famous as the setting of the final fighting scene in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, we ran into a singing Fork-tailed Sunbird and finally a Brown-breasted Flycatcher, singing from one of the darker parts of the recreational area. All morning we had been hearing Chinese Bamboo-Partridges with little more than glimpses for some, so it was a relief that we all finally managed to get onto our 14th galliform of the tour as it scuttled over a streambed. A nice way to finish this most enjoyable tour.
For information regarding our scheduled tours to Sichuan please click here. Alternatively please contact us via e-mail regarding organising a custom tour to Sichuan.
Systematic Bird List
Chinese Blue Flycatcher, Wawu Shan Chinese Tawny Owl, Emei Shan
PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Chinese Pond-Heron
Ardeola bacchus
Eastern Cattle Egret
Bubulcus coromandus
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae
Black Stork
Ciconia nigra
ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae
Greylag Goose
Anser anser
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Chinese Spot-billed Duck
Anas zonorhyncha
Ferruginous Pochard
Aythya nyroca
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Pernis ptilorhynchus
Black Kite
Milvus milgrans lineatus
Lammergeier
Gypaetus barbatus
Himalayan Griffon
Gyps himalayensis
Cinereous Vulture
Aegypius monachus
Crested Goshawk
Accipiter trivirgatus
Chinese Goshawk
Accipiter soloensis
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
Grey-faced Buzzard
Butastur indicus
Himalayan Buzzard
Buteo burmanicus
Upland Buzzard
Buteo hemilasius
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
Steppe Eagle
Aquila nipalensis
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae
Eurasian Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Eurasian Hobby
Falco subbuteo
Saker Falcon
Falco cherrug
GALLIFORMES: Tetraonidae
Severtzov's Grouse
Bonasa sewerzowi
GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae
Snow Partridge
Lerwa lerwa
Verreaux's Monal-Partridge
Tetraophasis obscurus
Tibetan Snowcock
Tetraogallus tibetanus
Chinese Bamboo-Partridge
Bambusicola thoracica
Blood Pheasant
Ithaginis cruentus
Temminck's Tragopan
Tragopan temminckii
Koklass Pheasant
Pucrasia macrolopha ruficollis
Chinese Monal
Lophophorus lhuysii
White Eared-Pheasant
Crossoptilon crossoptilon
Blue Eared-Pheasant
Crossoptilon auritum
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus suehschanensis
Golden Pheasant
Chrysolophus pictus
Lady Amherst's Pheasant
Chrysolophus amherstiae
GRUIFORMES: Gruidae
Black-necked Crane
Grus nigricollis
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae
White-breasted Waterhen
Amaurornis phoenicurus
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae
Wood Snipe
Gallinago nemoricola
heard only
Common Redshank
Tringa totanus
Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae
Brown-headed Gull
Larus brunnicephalus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo tibetana
COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae
Hill Pigeon
Columba rupestris
Snow Pigeon
Columba leuconota
Speckled Wood-Pigeon
Columba hodgsonii
Oriental Turtle-Dove
Streptopelia orientalis orientalis
Spotted Dove
Streptopelia chinensis
Red Collared Dove
Streptopelia tranquebarica
Wedge-tailed Pigeon
Treron sphenura
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Cuculus sparverioides
Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo
Cuculus nisicolor
Common Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
Himalayan Cuckoo
Cuculus saturatus
Lesser Cuckoo
Cuculus poliocephalus
Asian Koel
Eudynamys scolopacea
heard only
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae
Oriental Scops-Owl
Otus sunia stictonotus
heard only
Chinese Tawny Owl
Strix nivicola
Collared Owlet
Glaucidium brodiei
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae
Grey Nightjar
Caprimulgus jotaka
APODIFORMES: Apodidae
Himalayan Swiftlet
Aerodramus brevirostris
White-throated Needletail
Hirundapus caudacutus
Pacific Swift
Apus pacificus
House Swift
Apus nipalensis
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
Black-capped Kingfisher
Halcyon pileata
PICIFORMES: Capitonidae
Great Barbet
Megalaima virens
PICIFORMES: Picidae
Darjeeling Woodpecker
Dendrocopos darjellensis
Crimson-breasted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos cathpharius
White-backed Woodpecker
Dendrocopos leucotos
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos major
Black Woodpecker
Dryocopus martius
Grey-faced Woodpecker
Picus canus sordidor
Bay Woodpecker
Blythipicus pyrrhotis
PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae
Tibetan Lark
Melanocorypha maxima
Oriental Skylark
Alauda gulgula
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris khamensis
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae
Pale Martin
Riparia diluta
Eurasian Crag-Martin
Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Red-rumped Swallow
Cecropis daurica
Asian House Martin
Delichon dasypus
PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae
‘Himalayan’ White Wagtail
Motacilla [alba] alboides
Citrine Wagtail
Motacilla citreola calcarata
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea
Olive-backed Pipit
Anthus hodgsoni hodgsoni
Rosy Pipit
Anthus roseatus
PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae
Long-tailed Minivet
Pericrocotus ethologus
PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae
Collared Finchbill
Spizixos semitorques
Chinese Bulbul
Pycnonotus sinensis
Black Bulbul
Hypsipetes leucocephalus leucothorax
PASSERIFORMES: Regulidae
Goldcrest
Regulus regulus yunnanensis
PASSERIFORMES: Cinclidae
White-throated Dipper
Cinclus cinclus przewalskii
Brown Dipper
Cinclus pallasii
PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae
Winter Wren
Troglodytes troglodytes szetschuanus
PASSERIFORMES: Prunellidae
Rufous-breasted Accentor
Prunella strophiata
Maroon-backed Accentor
Prunella immaculata
Alpine Accentor
Prunella collaris
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae
Blue Rock-Thrush
Monticola solitarius pandoo
Blue Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus caeruleus caeruleus
Grey-winged Blackbird
Turdus boulboul
Chinese Blackbird
Turdus mandarinus
Chestnut Thrush
Turdus rubrocanus gouldi
Kessler's Thrush
Turdus kessleri
Chinese Thrush
Turdus mupinensis
Lesser Shortwing
Brachypteryx leucophrys
White-browed Shortwing
Brachypteryx montana
PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae
Plain Prinia
Prinia inornata extensicauda
PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae
Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler
Cettia fortipes davidiana
Chestnut-crowned Bush-Warbler
Cettia major major
Aberrant Bush-Warbler
Cettia flavolivacea intricata
Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler
Cettia acanthizoides acanthizoides
Spotted Bush-Warbler
Bradypterus thoracicus thoracicus
Russet Bush-Warbler
Bradypterus mandelli mandelli
heard only
Brown Bush-Warbler
Bradypterus luteoventris
White-browed Tit-Warbler
Leptopoecile sophiae obscura
Crested Tit-Warbler
Leptopoecile elegans
Dusky Warbler
Phylloscopus fuscatus weigoldi
Tickell's Leaf-Warbler
Phylloscopus affinis
Buff-throated Warbler
Phylloscopus subaffinis
Yellow-streaked Warbler
Phylloscopus armandii armandii
Buff-barred Warbler
Phylloscopus pulcher pulcher
Ashy-throated Warbler
Phylloscopus maculipennis
Sichuan Leaf-Warbler
Phylloscopus forresti
Chinese Leaf-Warbler
Phylloscopus yunnanensis
Hume's Warbler
Phylloscopus humei mandellii
Greenish Warbler
Phylloscopus trochiloides trochiloides
Large-billed Leaf-Warbler
Phylloscopus magnirostris
Claudia's Leaf-Warbler
Phylloscopus claudiae
Emei Leaf-Warbler
Phylloscopus emeiensis
Kloss's Leaf-Warbler
Phylloscopus ogilviegranti disturbans
Sulphur-breasted Warbler
Phylloscopus ricketti ricketti
Bianchi's Warbler
Seicercus valentini valentini
Alstrom's Warbler
Seicercus soror
Marten's Warbler
Seicercus omeiensis
White-spectacled Warbler
Seicercus affinis [subsp pending]
Chestnut-crowned Warbler
Seicercus castaniceps sinensis
Rufous-faced Warbler
Abroscopus albogularis fulvifacies
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae
Brown-breasted Flycatcher
Muscicapa muttei
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Muscicapa dauurica
Ferruginous Flycatcher
Muscicapa ferruginea
Slaty-backed Flycatcher
Ficedula hodgsonii
Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher
Ficedula strophiata
Snowy-browed Flycatcher
Ficedula hyperythra
Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Ficedula tricolor diversa
Verditer Flycatcher
Eumyias thalassina
Fujian Niltava
Niltava davidi
Rufous-bellied Niltava
Niltava sundara denotata
Vivid Niltava
Niltava oatesi
Chinese Blue Flycatcher
Cyornis glaucicomans
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensis
Himalayan Rubythroat
Luscinia pectoralis tschebaiewi
Rufous-headed Robin
Luscinia ruficeps
Firethroat
Luscinia pectardens
Indian Blue Robin
Luscinia brunnea
Himalayan Red-flanked Bush-Robin
Tarsiger rufilatus
Golden Bush-Robin
Tarsiger chrysaeus
White-browed Bush-Robin
Tarsiger indicus yunnanensis
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Copsychus saularis
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros rufiventris
Hodgson's Redstart
Phoenicurus hodgsoni
White-throated Redstart
Phoenicurus schisticeps
Daurian Redstart
Phoenicurus auroreus
Blue-fronted Redstart
Phoenicurus frontalis
White-capped Redstart
Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
Plumbeous Redstart
Rhyacornis fuliginosus
White-bellied Redstart
Hodgsonius phaenicuroides
White-tailed Robin
Cinclidium leucurum
Siberian Stonechat
Saxicola maura przevalksii
Grandala
Grandala coelicolor
Little Forktail
Enicurus scouleri
Slaty-backed Forktail
Enicurus schistaceus
White-crowned Forktail
Enicurus leschenaulti sinensis
Spotted Forktail
Enicurus maculatus
Purple Cochoa
Cochoa purpurea
Grey Bushchat
Saxicola ferrea
PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae
Pere David's Laughingthrush
Garrulax davidi
Sukatshev's Laughingthrush
Garrulax sukatschewi
Spotted Laughingthrush
Garrulax ocellatus
Barred Laughingthrush
Garrulax lunulatus
Giant Laughingthrush
Garrulax maximus
Buffy Laughingthrush
Garrulax berthemyi
Chinese Hwamei
Garrulax canorus
White-browed Laughingthrush
Garrulax sannio
Elliot's Laughingthrush
Garrulax elliotii
Black-faced Laughingthrush
Garrulax affinis
Red-winged Laughingthrush
Garrulax formosus
Emei Liocichla
Liocichla omeiensis
Black-streaked Scimitar-Babbler
Pomatorhinus gravivox
Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler
Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler
Pnoepyga albiventer
Pygmy Wren-Babbler
Pnoepyga pusilla
heard only
Rufous-capped Babbler
Stachyris ruficeps
Chinese Babax
Babax lanceolatus
Red-billed Leiothrix
Leiothrix lutea
White-browed Shrike-Babbler
Pteruthius flaviscapis
heard only
Green Shrike-Babbler
Pteruthius xanthochlorus pallidus
Golden-breasted Fulvetta
Alcippe chrysotis
Chinese Fulvetta
Alcippe striaticollis
Grey-hooded Fulvetta
Alcippe cinereiceps
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta
Alcippe morrisonia
Stripe-throated Yuhina
Yuhina gularis
White-collared Yuhina
Yuhina diademata
Black-chinned Yuhina
Yuhina nigrimenta
PASSERIFORMES: Paradoxornithidae
Great Parrotbill
Conostoma oemodium
Three-toed Parrotbill
Paradoxornis paradoxus
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Paradoxornis webbianus
Ashy-throated Parrotbill
Paradoxornis alphonsianus
Grey-hooded Parrotbill
Paradoxornis zappeyi
Fulvous Parrotbill
Paradoxornis fulvifrons cyanophrys
Golden Parrotbill
Paradoxornis verreauxi verreauxi
PASSERIFORMES: Aegithalidae
Black-throated Tit
Aegithalos concinnus concinnus
Sooty Tit
Aegithalos fuliginosus
PASSERIFORMES: Paridae
Sichuan Willow Tit
Poecile weigoldei
Pere David's Tit
Poecile davidi
Coal Tit
Periparus ater aemodius
Rufous-vented Tit
Periparus rubidiventris
Yellow-bellied Tit
Pardaliparus venustulus
Grey-crested Tit
Lophophanes dichrous
Japanese Tit
Parus minor minor
Parus minor tibetanus
Green-backed Tit
Parus monticolus
Yellow-browed Tit
Sylviparus modestus
Hume's Ground-Tit
Pseudopodoces humilis
PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
Sitta nagaensis montium
Chinese Nuthatch
Sitta villosa bangsi
Przewalski's Nuthatch
Sitta przewalskii
PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae
Hodgson's Treecreeper
Certhia hodgsoni
Bar-tailed Treecreeper
Certhia himalayana
Sichuan Treecreeper
Certhia tianquanensis
PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae
Gould's Sunbird
Aethopyga gouldiae dabryii
Fork-tailed Sunbird
Aethopyga christinae latouchii
PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
Dicaeum ignipectus
PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae
Chestnut-flanked White-eye
Zosterops erythropleurus
Japanese White-eye
Zosterops japonicus simplex
PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae
Tiger Shrike
Lanius tigrinus
Brown Shrike
Lanius cristatus lucionensis
Long-tailed Shrike
Lanius schach schah
Grey-backed Shrike
Lanius tephronotus
Chinese Grey Shrike
Lanius sphenocercus giganteus
PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae
Black Drongo
Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy Drongo
Dicrurus leucophaeus salangensis
Spangled Drongo
Dicrurus hottentottus brevirostris
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae
Sichuan Jay
Perisoreus internigrans
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandarius sinensis
Azure-winged Magpie
Cyanopica cyana kansuensis
Red-billed Blue Magpie
Urocissa erythrorhyncha
Grey Treepie
Dendrocitta formosae
heard only
Eurasian Magpie
Pica pica bottanensis
Spotted Nutcracker
Nucifraga caryocatactes macella
Red-billed Chough
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax himalayanus
Yellow-billed Chough
Pyrrhocorax graculus digitatus
Daurian Jackdaw
Corvus dauuricus insolens
Carrion Crow
Corvus corone orientalis
Large-billed Crow
Corvus japonensis tibetosinensis
Corvus japonensis colonorum
Collared Crow
Corvus torquatus
Common Raven
Corvus corax tibetanus
PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae
Crested Myna
Acridotheres cristatellus
Red-billed Starling
Sturnus sericeus
White-cheeked Starling
Sturnus cineraceus
PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae
White-rumped Munia
Lonchura striata
PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae
Slaty Bunting
Latoucheornis siemsseni
Godlewski's Bunting
Emberiza godlewskii
PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae
Plain Mountain-Finch
Leucosticte nemoricola
Brandt's Mountain-Finch
Leucosticte brandti
Blanford's Rosefinch
Carpodacus rubescens
Dark-breasted Rosefinch
Carpodacus nipalensis
Common Rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus
Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch
Carpodacus davidianus
Pink-rumped Rosefinch
Carpodacus eos
Vinaceous Rosefinch
Carpodacus vinaceus
Three-banded Rosefinch
Carpodacus trifasciatus
Chinese White-browed Rosefinch
Carpodacus dubius
Red-fronted Rosefinch
Carpodacus puniceus
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
Grey-capped Greenfinch
Carduelis sinica
Twite
Carduelis flavirostris miniakensis
Tibetan Siskin
Serinus thibetanus
Brown Bullfinch
Pyrrhula nipalensis
Grey-headed Bullfinch
Pyrrhula erythaca
Chinese Grosbeak
Eophona migratoria sowerbyi
White-winged Grosbeak
Mycerobas carnipes
PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae
Russet Sparrow
Passer rutilans
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanus
Rock Sparrow
Petronia petronia brevirostris
White-rumped Snowfinch
Montifringilla taczanowskii
295 Species recorded including 9 heard only
Mammals
Peré David's Macaque
Macaca thibetana
Black-lipped Pika
Ochotona curzoniae
Siberian Chipmunk
Tamias sibiricus
Himalayan Marmot
Marmota himalayana
Swinhoe's Striped Squirrel
Tamiops swinhoei
Alpine Musk Deer
Moschus chrysogaster
Tibetan Fox
Vulpes ferrilata
Woolly Hare
Lepus oiostolus
Roeurgei Plains, Sichuan (James Eaton/Birdtour Asia)
