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One of this tour's pleasant surprises was discovering that the beautiful Silver-eared Mesia is indeed 'common and widespread' in the hill forests here. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
This was Field Guides' first tour to rich Yunnan Province in southwestern China, and what a wonderful first run it was! My co-leader and our host for this one, Jesper Hornskov, has spent an unparalleled amount of time birding in this beautiful province over many years, and it certainly showed. We racked up quite a list with his guidance and saw some wonderful places while doing so.
The booming frontier town of Ruili was our first stop in Yunnan, and it proved to be a very productive place indeed. While many of the birds that we saw here were familiar to those who had birded northwestern Thailand or Bhutan, there were a number of notable differences. We explored a mix of foothill evergreen broadleaf forest and disturbed lowland second growth and agriculture here, finding some great stuff during our efforts. For me, seeing four species of forktail so well was a real highlight; these birds can be incredibly shy and difficult to see elsewhere in their ranges! A few attractive species of laughingthrush here -- like Rufous-necked, Blue-winged, Spot-breasted, and Red-tailed -- were also memorable. Then, there were the likes of Black Eagle, Wedge-tailed Pigeon, four species of barbet, Brown Dipper, Crested Finchbill, Gray-bellied Tesia, three species of scimitar-babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Gray Sibia, Rusty-fronted Barwing, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Long-tailed and Dark-sided thrushes, hundreds of migrating Eyebrowed Thrushes at dawn, and so many more. You begin to understand why Jesper is so fond of this area!
The Nabang area was next on our itinerary and it, too, held plenty to keep us busy and smiling. We spent most of our time in the broadleaf forest above town, but we also spent some time in some of the disturbed, scrubby habitats right on the Myanmar border. Though perhaps not as rich as the Ruili area, Nabang held such prizes as Ibisbill, River and Red-wattled lapwings, Pin-tailed Pigeon, Red-headed Trogon, Crested Kingfisher, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Wreathed Hornbill (for most), Speckled Piculet, Lesser Yellownape, fabulous Long-tailed Broadbill, Collared Treepie, Rufous-faced Warbler, White-hooded Babbler, Bluethroat, Black-backed Forktail, Collared Myna, and the monotypic Spotted Elachura, among a fine assortment of other species. And those Phayre's Leaf Monkeys were pretty amazing, too!
A short stay in the highlands in Tengchong was a nice change of pace and quite productive for us: Slender-billed Oriole, Green-backed and Black-throated tits, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Black-headed Sibia, the local Brown-winged Parrotbill, Rusty-capped Fulvetta, White-browed Laughingthrush, Red-billed Leiothrix, Black-breasted Thrush, and Gould's Sunbird all put on memorable shows.
Then it was on to what ought to be the highlight of any Yunnan tour: the Gaoligongshan. Based here for five nights, we birded the fine forests on a daily basis. At times parking ourselves at a scenic viewpoint (where a variety of birds dropped in to show off for the group), and at other times hiking and birding the trails and old roads in the park, we compiled an impressive tally. I liked our time on the old road up the mountain the best, though the hikes were pretty long. Rewards were many, including some fantastic vistas of the high ridges of this wild range. Among the birds seen, multiple Mountain Hawk-Eagles, both Black-headed and Black-eared shrike-babblers, a surprise pair of Eurasian Nutcrackers, Nepal House-Martin, White-tailed Nuthatch, Black-faced and Broad-billed warblers, Golden-breasted and Streak-throated fulvettas for some, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented yuhinas, the scarce and local Chevron-breasted Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Beautiful Sibia, Himalayan Bluetail, Maroon-backed Accentor, Vinaceous Rosefinch, and Tibetan Serin all represent some of the most memorable of our many finds. Mammals were in short supply here, though a Leopard Cat at the end of our stay was certainly a surprise!
We finished up the trip in scenic Lijiang, far to the north, where views of the 18,000'+ Jade Dragon Snow Mountain provided a breathtaking backdrop to the likes of Black-browed Tit, Yunnan Nuthatch, Spectacled Fulvetta, and Red-flanked Bluetail in the woodland above the Black Dragon Pool.
Thanks have to go out to our local escort, Mr. Zheng, and our excellent driver, without whom our tour would have been much less comfortable and efficient. And thanks again to our host and my co-leader Jesper Hornskov, without whom we would have seen so few birds! And thanks to all of you for joining Jesper and me on this inaugural Field Guides trip to lovely Yunnan. We enjoyed our birding and travel with each of you and hope we can experience another wonderful destination together soon!
All the best in 2016.
-- Dave
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
These beautiful Ruddy Shelducks represented just one of more than a dozen species of waterfowl present at Lashiba Reservoir near Lijiang on our final morning of birding. (photo by participant Ken Havard)
BAR-HEADED GOOSE (Anser indicus) – The only other species of goose on the tour at Lashiba was a handful of this Himalayan/Tibetan species.
RUDDY SHELDUCK (Tadorna ferruginea) – Decent numbers of this one in the shallow margins of the lake where we were birding.
GADWALL (Anas strepera)
EURASIAN WIGEON (Anas penelope)
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)
INDIAN SPOT-BILLED DUCK (Anas poecilorhyncha) – This was one of the few species of waterfowl that we found early on near Ruili. Now split from the Eastern Spot-billed Duck, this one has a bit more southerly distribution in s. Asia.
EASTERN SPOT-BILLED DUCK (Anas zonorhyncha) – Excellent, close views in the scopes at Lashiba.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata)
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta) – Just a few amongst the more common species at Lashiba.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Anas crecca)
RED-CRESTED POCHARD (Netta rufina) – Including a massive flock out from the shore at Lashiba.
COMMON POCHARD (Aythya ferina)
FERRUGINOUS DUCK (Aythya nyroca) – This one was the most common of the diving duck species at Lashiba, with large numbers visible when we finally made it to the edge of the lake.
TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula)
GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) – A single female among the many Ferruginous and Tufted ducks.
COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser) – They call it the Goosander over on this side of the world.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
HILL PARTRIDGE (Arborophila torqueola) – Heard frequently in the hill and montane forests on this tour. [*]
A gorgeous sunrise at Gaolingongshan. (photo by Patricia Bacchetti)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – We had some nice close looks at the Black Dragon Pool in Lijiang.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus) – A few birds only on Lashiba at the end of the tour.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
BLACK STORK (Ciconia nigra) – A couple of these flew over our bus as we drove through Yingjiang on our way to Nabang.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
LITTLE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax niger) – Several were seen out on Jiele Reservoir each time that we visited this lake near Ruili.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia)
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
CATTLE EGRET (EASTERN) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus) – Ornithologists in the Old World split this eastern form out as a good species, the Eastern Cattle-Egret (B. coromandus).
CHINESE POND-HERON (Ardeola bacchus) – Not very common in China at this season as most have already migrated farther south (they're abundant at this season in Thailand).
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Near Dali and at Lijiang at the end of the tour. Split again from our White-tailed Kite.
ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus) – Several birds here and there with that distinctive small head and long-necked look.
Recently arrived to the Lijiang area from breeding grounds far to the north, this family of Common Cranes may attempt to spend the winter here at the Lashiba Reservoir. (photo by participant Ken Havard)
MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE (Nisaetus nipalensis) – A couple of birds each at Husa Ridge and from the viewpoint in the Gaoligongshan.
BLACK EAGLE (Ictinaetus malaiensis) – This had to be my best trip ever for this species in Asia, with birds being seen nine different days on the tour! The bird hunting above the ridge top at Husa Ridge was maybe the most memorable.
NORTHERN HARRIER (EURASIAN) (Circus cyaneus cyaneus) – A handsome pair of these made a brief appearance at Lashiba Lake on our final morning of the tour. Look for this one (a.k.a. - Hen Harrier) to be split from our familiar Northern Harrier in N. America.
CRESTED GOSHAWK (Accipiter trivirgatus) – All of our looks were of soaring birds.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – One of these was seen briefly across the river from Nabang in Myanmar. A slightly different shape and overall much paler than Eurasian Sparrowhawk.
BESRA (Accipiter virgatus) – A quick flyby for some at the viewpoint in Gaoligongshan.
EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus) – In shape much like our own Sharp-shinned Hawk with a small head and square-tipped tail.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Seen by a couple of us at Jiele Lake near Ruili one afternoon. A late migrant here.
COMMON BUZZARD (STEPPE) (Buteo buteo vulpinus) – After the tour was over, Jesper wrote to me to let me know that one of the Buzzards that we saw while birding in the agricultural area near Ruili (Nongdao) was this subspecies, which was retained as a subspecies of Common Buzzard, not Eastern Buzzard, after Common Buzzard was split. Sorry, I can't remember specifically which one it was, though.
EASTERN BUZZARD (Buteo japonicus japonicus) – All of our other buzzards were this one, which we saw on about half of the days of the tour.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN (Amaurornis phoenicurus) – Maybe seen best around Nabang along the river.
GRAY-HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus) – Purple Swamphen was recently split into six species. Ours is found from Asia Minor eastward across India to s. China & n. Thailand.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Now split from our familiar Common Gallinule in the New World.
A gaudy Blue-throated Barbet gave us some fantastic looks near Ruili. (photo by participant Ken Havard)
Gruidae (Cranes)
COMMON CRANE (Grus grus) – We had a few flyby birds early on in the tour, but then had some leisurely looks of quite a few birds on the ground on our final morning of the tour at Lashiba.
Ibidorhynchidae (Ibisbill)
IBISBILL (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) – We knew it had to be out there on the rocky banks of the river near Nabang - and we finally found one! Distant but good looks at this strange, monotypic shorebird.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus) – Good numbers of wintering birds on the final morning near Lijiang.
RIVER LAPWING (Vanellus duvaucelii) – Careful scanning of the river bank near Nabang revealed a few of these distinctive lapwings among the river rock.
GRAY-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus cinereus) – A couple of these birds standing motionless in the fields near Nongdao were a nice surprise. A rather common breeder in n.e. China.
RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus atronuchalis) – We had nice views of one close bird on a couple of days near Nabang. This distinctive race is rumored to be split soon from the birds to the west of here.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus)
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) – Scope looks for most on our walk through the agriculture near Ruili.
PIN-TAILED SNIPE (Gallinago stenura) – One bird flushed for some from the little marshy spot on our side of the river at Nabang.
EURASIAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola) – A close bird flushed for some as we started to walk down the road at Lashiba Lake on our final morning.
Turnicidae (Buttonquail)
BARRED BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix suscitator) – Most folks got onto a couple of these tiny quail-like birds at the productive little marshy area on our side of the river near Nabang.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BLACK-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
BROWN-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) – A few birds resting on the shore at Lashiba Lake on our final morning.
MEW GULL (Larus canus) – A flyby for some on the last morning.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
SPECKLED WOOD-PIGEON (Columba hodgsonii) – Decent views in the scopes from the viewpoint at Gaoligongshan on our first morning there.
ORIENTAL TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia orientalis) – We had our best at the Beijing Botanical Gardens on the first morning of the tour.
SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis)
BARRED CUCKOO-DOVE (Macropygia unchall) – Most saw a few of these fly by on a few days in the mountains, but we never did see them perched anywhere.
EMERALD DOVE (Chalcophaps indica) – I only ever saw a couple of these widespread doves - in the forest above Nabang.
PIN-TAILED PIGEON (Treron apicauda) – A perched flock above the road in the Tongbiguan Forest Reserve above Nabang on our first morning of birding there.
WEDGE-TAILED PIGEON (Treron sphenurus) – We enjoyed some fantastic scopes views of an adult male just down the hill from the pass at Husa Ridge.
MOUNTAIN IMPERIAL-PIGEON (Ducula badia) – Several good looks of birds in flight on the first half of the tour.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
PLAINTIVE CUCKOO (Cacomantis merulinus) – Cuckoos were particularly scarce on this tour, with only a few individuals seen. This one put on a decent show for folks in the tall riverine grass near Nongdao in the agricultural fields.
ASIAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx maculatus) – A few of us got on a pair of these very briefly with a mixed flock up on the Husa Ridge trail as we made our way back to the bus.
This Slaty-backed Forktail near Ruili was the first of our impressive five species of normally shy forktails seen well on this tour. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis) – The 'best' was a distant bird on the ground between the road and the river near Nabang. This and the malkoha are two of only a handful of s. Asian cuckoos that are not brood parasites!
Strigidae (Owls)
COLLARED SCOPS-OWL (Otus lettia) – Heard only by a few of us above our accommodations at Gaoligongshan. [*]
SPOT-BELLIED EAGLE-OWL (Bubo nipalensis) – One of these sounded off a few times in the middle of the morning at Husa Ridge. [*]
COLLARED OWLET (Glaucidium brodiei) – We sure heard a bunch of these, but we never did track one down for any looks. [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
GRAY NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus jotaka) – One of the strangest sightings of the trip was seeing one of these winging its way over the treetops after sunrise on Husa Ridge.
Apodidae (Swifts)
HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET (Aerodramus brevirostris) – All of these Aerodramus swiftlets looks similar, but this is the only possible species along our tour route.
COOK'S SWIFT (Apus cooki) – Jesper and I are confident that the couple of birds that we saw along Husa Ridge were this recently split species (from Fork-tailed Swift). It's an endemic breeder in S.E. Asia and seems to us to be the most likely of the 'Fork-tailed' Swift species to occur here. It's very similar to the Salim Ali's Swift from farther north, but these birds lacked the contrasting cap and back that those birds show.
HOUSE SWIFT (Apus nipalensis) – Our best looks were at Nabang.
ASIAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus balasiensis) – Like the above House Swift, the best looks were from Nabang.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
RED-HEADED TROGON (Harpactes erythrocephalus) – We really had to work hard to get a good look at the one female that we saw above Nabang in the Tongbiguan Reserve.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops)
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
It's sometimes hard to believe that a bird as colorful as a Wedge-tailed Pigeon can blend in so well to its surroundings in a tree, but it wasn't easy to spot this male in the mountains near Ruili! (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis)
WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis)
CRESTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle lugubris) – One bird along the river near Nabang obliged the group with decent views. The largest of the many Asian kingfishers (but not by much!).
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Along the river in the agriculture near Nongdao. Seemingly local in s. Asia.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLUE-BEARDED BEE-EATER (Nyctyornis athertoni) – We had a couple of fine looks at this one, none finer than the bird next to the road above Nabang one afternoon. Unlike most of the other bee-eaters, this one is forest-based and rather shy.
GREEN BEE-EATER (Merops orientalis) – Along the river near Nabang only on this tour.
Megalaimidae (Asian Barbets)
COPPERSMITH BARBET (Psilopogon haemacephalus) – The few birds that we saw in Tengchong were at the northern limit of the species' range in China.
GREAT BARBET (Psilopogon virens) – Surprisingly common along Husa Ridge.
GOLDEN-THROATED BARBET (Psilopogon franklinii) – Never out of earshot if we were birding above about 5000' on this tour.
BLUE-THROATED BARBET (Psilopogon asiaticus) – That look at the dam at Jiele Reservoir was pretty remarkable!
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
EURASIAN WRYNECK (Jynx torquilla) – We never really nailed this aberrant woodpecker on the tour for the group.
SPECKLED PICULET (Picumnus innominatus) – The best group sighting was in the Tongbiguan Forest above Nabang. Remarkably similar to some of the New World Picumnus.
GRAY-CAPPED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos canicapillus) – The most common and widespread of our several Dendrocopos woodpeckers on the tour, including a few birds in Beijing on our first morning.
We found these Wire-tailed Swallows, which were unknown in China until very recently, right on the Myanmar border near Nabang. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
CRIMSON-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos cathpharius) – We all had super views of a close male at the viewpoint at Gaoligongshan one morning.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (GREAT SPOTTED) (Dendrocopos major stresemanni) – Having heard what Jesper was saying about this species, it would be good to keep track of where you see this one since it sounds like there may be a split coming up involving this widespread species.
LESSER YELLOWNAPE (Picus chlorolophus) – Nice views in the forest above Nabang.
GREATER YELLOWNAPE (Picus flavinucha) – I'm always amazed at how shy these Asian woodpeckers can be!
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (Picus canus) – The range of this one spans the Old World from W. Europe to eastern China.
BAY WOODPECKER (Blythipicus pyrrhotis) – We had decent views of this shy woodpecker in flight along Husa Ridge, and some may have actually seen it perched once or twice.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – A hunting pair at Jiele Reservoir was fun to see!
Eurylaimidae (Asian and Grauer's Broadbills)
LONG-TAILED BROADBILL (Psarisomus dalhousiae) – One of the most magical experiences on the tour was finding a close flock of these right next to the road above Nabang for some stunning looks!
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
LARGE WOODSHRIKE (Tephrodornis virgatus) – Only one sighting of this widespread species along the Husa Ridge road.
BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE (Hemipus picatus) – Only a few, and mostly near Nabang.
Aegithinidae (Ioras)
COMMON IORA (Aegithina tiphia) – Near Ruili only. It doesn't really get much farther north than this in China
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
GRAY-CHINNED MINIVET (Pericrocotus solaris) – The best was probably at the overlook in the Gaoligongshan Mts.
The Gaoligongshan was the place to see this White-tailed Nuthatch. Though it's similar to other nuthatches possible along our route, its rich underpart color and unmarked undertail coverts helped to identify it. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
LONG-TAILED MINIVET (Pericrocotus ethologus) – Mostly confined to highland areas with pines.
SCARLET MINIVET (Pericrocotus speciosus) – Our most common and widespread minivet on the tour.
LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina macei) – Our best views were above Tengchong.
BLACK-WINGED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Lalage melaschistos) – This one fell out of the picture once we moved north of Nabang.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
BROWN SHRIKE (Lanius cristatus) – Strangely, only one bird on the entire tour - at Tongbiguan just before lunch there.
LONG-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius schach) – Easily our most common and widespread shrike on the tour.
GRAY-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius tephronotus) – Usually in more wooded situations than the rather similar Long-tailed.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BLACK-HEADED SHRIKE-BABBLER (Pteruthius rufiventer) – Amidst the excitement of trying to lure in the Chevron-breasted Babbler at Gaoligongshan, Jesper spotted one of these beauties at the edge of the road, allowing most a quick look, at least, before we resumed with the Chevron-breasted.
BLYTH'S SHRIKE-BABBLER (Pteruthius aeralatus) – Called White-browed Shrike-Babbler in the field guide, this one has been split into several species since that book was published.
BLACK-EARED SHRIKE-BABBLER (Pteruthius melanotis) – We got a real eye-full along the upper road at Gaoligongshan. All of these shrike-babblers were recently found to be most closely related to the New World vireos, oddly enough!
WHITE-BELLIED ERPORNIS (Erpornis zantholeuca) – A.K.A - White-bellied Yuhina.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
SLENDER-BILLED ORIOLE (Oriolus tenuirostris) – The pines above Tengchong was really the place for this oriole on this tour.
MAROON ORIOLE (Oriolus traillii) – We hardly missed a day of this one being seen or heard.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
BLACK DRONGO (Dicrurus macrocercus) – We saw very few of these drongos and I suspect that most had already moved through and were on the wintering grounds in S.E. Asia.
ASHY DRONGO (Dicrurus leucophaeus) – Nearly daily.
BRONZED DRONGO (Dicrurus aeneus) – I was surprised just how common and widespread this species was on the tour.
LESSER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus remifer) – For some folks in the hill forest above Nabang.
HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO (Dicrurus hottentottus) – Now split from Spangled Drongo.
GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus paradiseus) – Typically at lower elevations than the similar Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo.
Rhipiduridae (Fantails)
WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL (Rhipidura albicollis) – We recorded this one every day of the tour except for the first one in Beijing.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
EURASIAN JAY (Garrulus glandarius)
AZURE-WINGED MAGPIE (Cyanopica cyanus) – Our first day in Beijing only.
YELLOW-BILLED BLUE-MAGPIE (Urocissa flavirostris) [*]
RED-BILLED BLUE-MAGPIE (Urocissa erythrorhyncha) – Good looks in the Gaoligongshan Mts.
COMMON GREEN-MAGPIE (Cissa chinensis) – Very shy for a corvid, this was very difficult to see well along the Husa Ridge trail.
GRAY TREEPIE (Dendrocitta formosae) – The white patch in the wing easily separates this one from the next (they didn't seem to occur together, though).
Few birds on this tour were cuter than this Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica)
EURASIAN NUTCRACKER (Nucifraga caryocatactes) – We heard this one before we saw it flying high above the road in the Gaoligongshan.
LARGE-BILLED CROW (Corvus macrorhynchos) – I suspect that the birds that we saw were the race tibetosinensis, given the described range for this one. There's talk of splitting up this species into at least a few, so keep track of your subspecies.
Alaudidae (Larks)
ORIENTAL SKYLARK (Alauda gulgula) – A few on our final day near Lijiang.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
GRAY-THROATED MARTIN (Riparia chinensis) – Plenty of these in the Nabang area. Note that these Asian birds are now split from the Plain Martin in Africa.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Unknown from China until very recently. Nice looks along the wires in Nabang.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – We often had a mix of this and the next species.
STRIATED SWALLOW (Cecropis striolata)
ASIAN HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon dasypus) – I was expecting to see more of these during the trip, but most may have moved south already.
NEPAL HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon nipalense) – We were quite lucky to find this species in the Gaoligongshan as there are few reliable spots to see this one in China.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BELLIED FAIRY-FANTAIL (Chelidorhynx hypoxantha) – Lots of memorable encounters with this little beauty, especially in the Gaoligongshan.
GRAY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER (Culicicapa ceylonensis) – Heard more often than it was seen.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
If you like contrasting black-and-white birds, then you'll absolutely flip for forktails! This Black-backed Forktail at Nabang was the last of five forktail species seen along our route this year. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
YELLOW-BELLIED TIT (Periparus venustulus) – One of our better finds on the first morning in Beijing. [E]
MARSH TIT (Poecile palustris) – On our first morning in Beijing only.
GREEN-BACKED TIT (Parus monticolus) – Several good encounters with this colorful tit.
JAPANESE TIT (Parus minor) – Split now from Great Tit to the west.
YELLOW-CHEEKED TIT (Machlolophus spilonotus) – Lots of fantastic encounters with this gorgeous little bird.
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
BLACK-THROATED TIT (Aegithalos concinnus) – Seen almost daily after we left Nabang - a real cutie!
BLACK-BROWED TIT (BLACK-BROWED) (Aegithalos iouschistos bonvaloti) – A couple of mixed flocks of tits in the Lijiang area held some of these, but not seen by all. This eastern race might get split from the birds farther to the west in the Himalayas.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
CHESTNUT-VENTED NUTHATCH (Sitta nagaensis) – Our most common and widespread nuthatch of the trip (the one called Naga Nuthatch by Jesper)
WHITE-TAILED NUTHATCH (Sitta himalayensis) – We didn't run into this one as a group until we got to the Gaoligongshan. Once we saw it, the difference between this one and the above species was very obvious (Chestnut-vented can look quite rusty below, but nothing like this one).
SNOWY-BROWED NUTHATCH (Sitta villosa) – Also called the Chinese Nuthatch, we had excellent views of this little guy in the Beijing Botanical Gardens on that first morning.
YUNNAN NUTHATCH (Sitta yunnanensis) – We had to climb up into the proper habitat to find this (former) endemic species, but it wasn't too tough to find once we got there. Recently found in n.e. India, so China loses an endemic species. [E]
VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH (Sitta frontalis) – Several encounters with this widespread nuthatch before we traveled to the Gaoligongshan.
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
BAR-TAILED TREECREEPER (Certhia himalayana) – For a few folks in the forest above Tengchong.
We found the endearing Black-throated Tit from the Ruili area north to Lijiang. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
EURASIAN WREN (Troglodytes troglodytes) – For a few of us in the Beijing Botanical Gardens. Now split from our Winter and Pacific wrens.
Cinclidae (Dippers)
BROWN DIPPER (Cinclus pallasii) – Great looks for most along the stream near Ruili. Most caught up with another in Nabang, but I expected to see more along our route.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
CRESTED FINCHBILL (Spizixos canifrons) – Unmistakable with that crest and thick, pale bill.
STRIATED BULBUL (Pycnonotus striatus) – Widespread and rather common above about 1500 m on this tour.
BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus flaviventris) – Fewer of these than I expected.
RED-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus cafer) – Quite possibly our most common and widespread bulbul on this tour. Given its abundance here and in neighboring Myanmar, its absence from nearby Thailand is hard to understand.
RED-WHISKERED BULBUL (Pycnonotus jocosus)
BROWN-BREASTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus xanthorrhous) – We started running into this one once we got to Tengchong and saw it almost daily after that. Primarily Chinese in its distribution.
LIGHT-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus sinensis) – Also called Chinese Bulbul, we had quite a few in the Beijing Botanical Gardens on our first morning of the tour.
FLAVESCENT BULBUL (Pycnonotus flavescens) – A highland species that we lost after we left Nabang.
WHITE-THROATED BULBUL (Alophoixus flaveolus) – Pretty shy for a bulbul, but that's typical of this genus.
GRAY-EYED BULBUL (Iole propinqua) – "Larry" was encountered in the low foothill forests near Nabang only on this trip.
BLACK BULBUL (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) – It was great to see a mix of white-headed and all-black subspecies on this tour.
ASHY BULBUL (Hemixos flavala) – One of the more 'musical' of the many bulbuls on this tour.
MOUNTAIN BULBUL (Ixos mcclellandii) – Present in all of the highland venues on this tour, except for Lijiang.
Regulidae (Kinglets)
The gorgeous Yellow-cheeked Tit was usually one of the flock leaders for mixed species flocks we found in the highlands. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
Pnoepygidae (Cupwings)
PYGMY CUPWING (Pnoepyga pusilla) – A few folks got onto one bird above Ruili and then another brief sighting above Nabang. This skulker was once called Pygmy Wren-Babbler, but all of the Pnoepyga were moved into their own family and re-named rather recently.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
PALE-FOOTED BUSH-WARBLER (Urosphena pallidipes) – As good a look at this shy bird as one could expect near Ruili.
GRAY-BELLIED TESIA (Tesia cyaniventer) – It was a little distant, but this one came out into the open for a rare decent view near Ruili.
SLATY-BELLIED TESIA (Tesia olivea) [*]
CHESTNUT-HEADED TESIA (Cettia castaneocoronata) – That bird above Tengchong was pretty darned bold!
YELLOW-BELLIED WARBLER (Abroscopus superciliaris) – Good views of this bamboo specialist.
RUFOUS-FACED WARBLER (Abroscopus albogularis) – Once we got the voice down on this one, we tracked it down for decent views near Nabang.
BLACK-FACED WARBLER (Abroscopus schisticeps) – A few of these energetic warblers paused long enough for good views in the Gaoligongshan.
MOUNTAIN TAILORBIRD (Phyllergates cucullatus) [*]
BROAD-BILLED WARBLER (Tickellia hodgsoni) – A few lucky folks got onto this uncommon species in the bamboo of Gaoligongshan.
BROWNISH-FLANKED BUSH-WARBLER (Horornis fortipes) – We mostly just saw the weeds move, but some folks did actually see a bird working through the understory!
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
DUSKY WARBLER (Phylloscopus fuscatus) – Good looks near Ruili of this wintering warbler.
ALPINE LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus occisinensis) – The details of winter distribution have yet to be worked out, but our thinking is that these birds wintering here are Alpine and not Tickell's. Alpine was very recently split from Tickell's in the Himalayas. [E]
BUFF-BARRED WARBLER (Phylloscopus pulcher) – Particularly common in the Gaoligongshan. Also known as Orange-barred Leaf Warbler.
ASHY-THROATED WARBLER (Phylloscopus maculipennis) – One of the tiniest of all of the Phylloscopus.
PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus proregulus) – Still migrating through Beijing at the start of this tour.
SICHUAN LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus forresti) – This one is currently thought of as a Chinese Endemic, but it surely occurs in n.e India and in Myanmar. [E]
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (Phylloscopus inornatus) – Our most common and most widespread Phylloscopus on the tour. Also called the Inornate Warbler.
HUME'S WARBLER (Phylloscopus humei) – Very similar to the above Yellow-browed and best told by voice.
GREENISH WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochiloides) – Heard a few times and seen by only a couple of us.
BLYTH'S LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus reguloides) – Big for a Phylloscopus (it's all relative), this is the form that breeds in the higher mountains here (Claudia's was split from this one and is a migrant at lower elevations; not seen this year) .
DAVISON'S LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus davisoni) – These birds look and sound the same as birds I see in n.w. Thailand and are quite unlike the Kloss's Leaf Warblers that I see in Vietnam (those are much yellower than our birds).
BIANCHI'S WARBLER (Seicercus valentini) – One of the many near identical splits from Golden-spectacled Warbler. All are best identified by call notes.
GRAY-CHEEKED WARBLER (Seicercus poliogenys) – Up on Husa Ridge for most folks.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED WARBLER (Seicercus castaniceps) – After hearing several of these, we finally caught up with it in the Gaoligongshan.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
STRIATED GRASSBIRD (Megalurus palustris) – This big 'warbler' was seen well in the scopes near Ruili.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
This shy Streaked Wren-Babbler, a denizen of dark and tangled understory habitats, unexpectedly exposed itself to our group near Ruili. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
HILL PRINIA (Prinia superciliaris) – We ended up seeing this shy one very well from the clearing at Gaoligongshan.
GRAY-BREASTED PRINIA (Prinia hodgsonii) – Quite common in the lowland scrub, but difficult to see well.
YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA (Prinia flaviventris) [*]
PLAIN PRINIA (Prinia inornata)
Paradoxornithidae (Parrotbills, Wrentit, and Allies)
GOLDEN-BREASTED FULVETTA (Lioparus chrysotis) – A lucky few got onto this tiny, energetic fulvetta along the Gaoligongshan road.
YELLOW-EYED BABBLER (Chrysomma sinense) – Difficult to spot as it worked its way through the corn field near Ruili.
SPECTACLED FULVETTA (Fulvetta ruficapilla) – Most got onto this Chinese endemic near Lijiang. Very similar to the next species. [E]
STREAK-THROATED FULVETTA (Fulvetta manipurensis manipurensis) – Just a few of us got onto this one as the fast-moving mixed flock moved through the roadside vegetation along the upper Gaoligongshan road.
PALE-BILLED PARROTBILL (Chleuasicus atrosuperciliaris) – This parrotbill popped into view briefly in the bamboo near Ruili for a few folks.
VINOUS-THROATED PARROTBILL (Sinosuthora webbiana) – A small flock of these obliged us in the Beijing Botanical Gardens at the start of the tour.
BROWN-WINGED PARROTBILL (Sinosuthora brunnea) – This near-endemic was at least glimpsed by all in the forest above Tengchong.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
STRIATED YUHINA (Yuhina castaniceps) – I was surprised at the number of flocks that we saw in the forest above Nabang.
WHISKERED YUHINA (Yuhina flavicollis) – A regular flock bird in the upper elevation forests nearly throughout.
STRIPE-THROATED YUHINA (Yuhina gularis) – At least one good look along the roadside in the Gaoligongshan.
RUFOUS-VENTED YUHINA (Yuhina occipitalis) – A few small groups here and there in the Gaoligongshan and near Lijiang.
CHESTNUT-FLANKED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops erythropleurus) – We had these migrant white-eyes every day in the Gaoligongshan.
ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE (Zosterops palpebrosus) – The race here is duller than what I'm used to seeing, with barely a hint of yellow on the belly.
This Alpine Leaf-Warbler is wintering in the Nabang area, far from its breeding grounds on the Tibetan Plateau. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
Timaliidae (Tree-Babblers, Scimitar-Babblers, and Allies)
PIN-STRIPED TIT-BABBLER (Mixornis gularis) [*]
GOLDEN BABBLER (Cyanoderma chrysaeum) – This and the next species sound very similar and I never know which one is singing until I track it down for a look.
RUFOUS-CAPPED BABBLER (Cyanoderma ruficeps) – Vaguely warbler-like in appearance, we ran into this one a few times at Tengchong and in the Gaoligongshan with mixed flocks.
GRAY-BELLIED WREN-BABBLER (Spelaeornis reptatus) – A few of us got a look at this one when we crawled into the bushes to get a look at the first Blue-winged Laughingthrush on Husa Ridge. A split from Long-tailed Wren-Babbler.
CHEVRON-BREASTED BABBLER (Sphenocichla roberti) – What a relief to hear this one sing after so many tries! We were able to lure it in for some mostly fleeting looks at this local specialty. Formerly known as Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler until it was split into two species.
RED-BILLED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps) – Seen by a few folks only above Nabang.
CORAL-BILLED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus ferruginosus) – We had better luck with this scimitar-babbler atop Husa Ridge when a group of these came in to investigate us.
SLENDER-BILLED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus superciliaris) – Sometimes, this one isn't in the bamboo, and such was the case with ours. This notoriously shy species gave us fits as we tried to maneuver on the road for looks. We left it with mixed results.
STREAK-BREASTED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Pomatorhinus ruficollis) – Certainly detected more frequently than any other scimitar-babbler on this tour. We found it from the low paddy edge near Ruili up to our highest point on the Gaoligongshan trail.
BLACK-STREAKED SCIMITAR-BABBLER (Megapomatorhinus gravivox) – Another one often detected, but infrequently seen, with the best sighting above Tengchong for most folks. A recent split from Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler.
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
WHITE-HOODED BABBLER (Gampsorhynchus rufulus) – It was good to get a look at and to hear this one near Nabang. The birds that I see in Thailand and in Vietnam are the relatively recently split Collared Babbler, which looks similar, but sounds very different.
RUFOUS-WINGED FULVETTA (Schoeniparus castaneceps) – This one does a lot of climbing around on branches like a treecreeper or a nuthatch. Some of the mixed flocks in the Gaoligongshan were dominated by this species.
RUSTY-CAPPED FULVETTA (Schoeniparus dubius) – Very skulking in its behavior, we got decent views of this one above Tengchong.
Rushing mountain streams are the typical home of the handsome Plumbeous Redstart. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
STREAKED WREN-BABBLER (Turdinus brevicaudatus) – This was one of our first babbler successes of the tour near Ruili. Normally a tough one to see.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
YUNNAN FULVETTA (Alcippe fratercula) – Called Gray-cheeked Fulvetta in the field guide, we had numerous opportunities to see this recently split species along our route, especially in the Gaoligongshan.
NEPAL FULVETTA (Alcippe nipalensis) – A couple of small, active flocks of these in the forest above Nabang.
HIMALAYAN CUTIA (Cutia nipalensis) – Most got a good look at this uncommon beautiful babbler along the trail along Husa Ridge. Now split from the birds in the southern highlands of Vietnam.
WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax leucolophus) – Laughingthrushes are always a bit of a challenge to see well, and this one was no exception. We had it daily above Nabang, but few got good looks.
SPOT-BREASTED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Garrulax merulinus) – One of the skulkier laughingthrushes, a few folks got a countable look at this one after it snuck in.
GREATER NECKLACED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla pectoralis) – Seen by a few above Nabang; usually associated with White-crested Laughingthrush.
RUFOUS-NECKED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla ruficollis) – This striking species has a very restricted range and barely gets into China. Great looks at both Ruili and Nabang.
PERE DAVID'S LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla davidi) – Our first laughingthrush of the tour at the Beijing Botanical Gardens on the first morning. [E]
WHITE-BROWED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Ianthocincla sannio) – This shy species came in and showed itself nicely for us above Tengchong.
SCALY LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Trochalopteron subunicolor) – Seen by a few of us in the Gaoligongshan.
BLUE-WINGED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Trochalopteron squamatum) – Most of us, if not all, ended up with good looks at this ornate species either along Husa Ridge or in the Gaoligongshan.
Most of the flat lowlands in the Ruili area have long ago been converted to agriculture, but they still shelter a fine variety of resident and wintering species. (photo by participant Pat Bacchetti)
CHESTNUT-CROWNED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Trochalopteron erythrocephalum) – Most of us got a look of some kind at this skulking species in the Gaoligongshan.
RED-TAILED LAUGHINGTHRUSH (Trochalopteron milnei) – Another shy laughingthrush that met with mixed results on the tour. Most got some sort of look, though.
GRAY SIBIA (Heterophasia gracilis) – This restricted-range species was recorded almost daily in the Ruili and Nabang areas.
BLACK-HEADED SIBIA (Heterophasia desgodinsi) – This one replaced Gray Sibia once we left the Nabang area.
BEAUTIFUL SIBIA (Heterophasia pulchella) – Recorded daily in the Gaoligongshan and our 4th Heterophasia sibia of the tour!
LONG-TAILED SIBIA (Heterophasia picaoides) – We had our best looks in the forest above Nabang.
SILVER-EARED MESIA (Leiothrix argentauris) – I was pleasantly surprised that we found this one to be so common throughout much of the tour - it can be a tough bird to find in n.w. Thailand.
RED-BILLED LEIOTHRIX (Leiothrix lutea) – Recorded daily in Tengchong and in the Gaoligongshan.
RED-TAILED MINLA (Minla ignotincta) – We first ran into this beauty along Husa Ridge, but we ended up getting our best looks in the Gaoligongshan.
RUFOUS-BACKED SIBIA (Minla annectens) – Historically, this one was lumped in with the rest of the sibias in the genus Heterophasia, but it was recently assigned to the genus Minla (though it's still called a sibia!).
SCARLET-FACED LIOCICHLA (Liocichla ripponi) – There was some confusion early on whether the birds we were seeing along Husa Ridge and elsewhere on this tour were true Red-faced Liocichla, or the recently split Scarlet-faced (it turns out that it's the latter). We had our best looks above Tengchong.
RUSTY-FRONTED BARWING (Actinodura egertoni) – Some of the flocks that we ran into were pretty sizable, involving 20+ birds.
BLUE-WINGED MINLA (Actinodura cyanouroptera) – Almost daily along our route. Note that this spcies and the next were removed from the genus Minla and reassigned to the barwing genus Actinodura.
CHESTNUT-TAILED MINLA (Actinodura strigula) – Nice looks at this gaudy bird in the Gaoligongshan. Though these birds area nearly identical to birds I see in n.w. Thailand, they sure don't sound the same. Hmmm....
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
The upper clearing in the Gaoligongshan was full of feathered surprises! (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
WHITE-GORGETED FLYCATCHER (Anthipes monileger) – This shy flycatcher was seen well by a few of us up on Husa Ridge. Usually fond of bamboo, but often found away from it.
HILL BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Cyornis banyumas) – It was a little surprising that this was the only Cyornis that we found on this tour.
LARGE NILTAVA (Niltava grandis) – Nicely in the Gaoligongshan.
SMALL NILTAVA (Niltava macgrigoriae) – A near exact replica - only in miniature - of the above Large Niltava.
VIVID NILTAVA (Niltava vivida) – A male seen by a couple of us along the road above Nabang.
VERDITER FLYCATCHER (Eumyias thalassinus) – Never very common, but it always garnered some 'oohs' and 'ahhs' form the group.
LESSER SHORTWING (Brachypteryx leucophrys) – Brief looks for a few folks at both Nabang and the Gaoligongshan.
BLUETHROAT (Luscinia svecica) – A responsive male cooperated for the group along the river in Nabang.
BLUE WHISTLING-THRUSH (YELLOW-BILLED) (Myophonus caeruleus eugenei) – All of the Blue Whistling-Thrushes that I saw or heard were this yellow-billed form, which is probably a good split candidate from the black-billed nominate race that breeds in China.
LITTLE FORKTAIL (Enicurus scouleri) – A short climb up the steps off of the waterfall trail yielded fantastic views of this confiding tiny forktail.
WHITE-CROWNED FORKTAIL (Enicurus leschenaulti) – Good looks through the bus's front window of a bird in the middle of the road on Husa Ridge.
SPOTTED FORKTAIL (Enicurus maculatus) – We had our best views early on near Ruili.
BLACK-BACKED FORKTAIL (Enicurus immaculatus) – This one proved elusive for some folks, but most enjoyed fine looks at Nabang.
SLATY-BACKED FORKTAIL (Enicurus schistaceus) – This was our first of five species of forktails on this tour, making it the best trip for forktails that I've ever done anywhere in Asia!
SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT (Calliope calliope) – Frustratingly brief encounters with this one.
RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL (Tarsiger cyanurus) – The one adult male that we saw above Lijiang really cooperated nicely for us. Just recently split from the Himalayan Bluetail (both were lumped as Orange-flanked Bush-Robin), the overall duller plumage and the small white loral spot distinguished our bird from that one.
HIMALAYAN BLUETAIL (Tarsiger rufilatus) – Although the females are largely indistinguishable, we did see a few males that showed the brilliant blue supercilium and the overall brighter plumage of this species.
SLATY-BACKED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula sordida) – The males are quite handsome, but the females area as dull as it gets in this genus.
PYGMY BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hodgsoni) – A single female briefly for most folks near Ruili was the only one seen.
RUFOUS-GORGETED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula strophiata) – Nice looks at a few handsome males, especially in the Gaoligongshan.
SAPPHIRE FLYCATCHER (Ficedula sapphira) – Females are pretty similar to female Slaty-backed Flycatcher, but they always have a distinctively rufescent throat and upper breast.
LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula westermanni) – Great views near Ruili.
BLUE-FRONTED REDSTART (Phoenicurus frontalis) – All of the birds that we saw were here on the wintering grounds from farther north in China.
PLUMBEOUS REDSTART (Phoenicurus fuliginosus) – Always near water, like the next species.
WHITE-CAPPED REDSTART (Phoenicurus leucocephalus) – Also known as the River Chat - a much better name, in my opinion!
HODGSON'S REDSTART (Phoenicurus hodgsoni) – A few wintering birds seen at Nabang and near Lijiang.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufiventris) – A pair of these along Husa Ridge for some folks.
SIBERIAN STONECHAT (Saxicola maurus) – Now split from the European Stonechat to the west.
PIED BUSHCHAT (Saxicola caprata) – The 'Pied' part of the name of this one isn't evident until the male actually flies - otherwise, the males look all black.
The scarcest of the possible forktails on this tour -- and the smallest by far -- was this charming Little Forktail, seen extremely well near Ruili. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
LONG-TAILED THRUSH (Zoothera dixoni) – Most folks apparently got onto this scarce migrant along Husa Ridge before it disappeared.
DARK-SIDED THRUSH (Zoothera marginata) – A thorough search produced fine looks at this skulker near Ruili.
BLACK-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus dissimilis) – Eventually seen by nearly all in the forest above Tengchong.
CHINESE BLACKBIRD (Turdus mandarinus mandarinus) – Now split from the widespread Eurasian Blackbird and the Tibetan Blackbird. Seen on our first morning together in Beijing.
CHESTNUT THRUSH (Turdus rubrocanus) – A few brief looks at this winter visitor in the Gaoligongshan.
EYEBROWED THRUSH (Turdus obscurus) – One of the most amazing sights on the tour was seeing the huge numbers of wintering/migrant birds swirling above Husa Ridge on one of our mornings there!
NAUMANN'S THRUSH (Turdus naumanni) – For some folks along our walk in Beijing on that first day.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
COMMON HILL MYNA (Gracula religiosa) – Some saw a flock of 20 or so birds flying away above Nabang one morning.
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) – From the standpoint of rarity, this was actually one of the better finds of the trip, adding to only a handful of prior records for Yunnan.
ASIAN PIED STARLING (Gracupica contra) – The lowland agricultural areas around Ruili and Nabang were the spots for this ornate starling.
COLLARED MYNA (Acridotheres albocinctus) – A quality range-restricted species seen very well at Nabang. Essentially endemic to Myanmar, this one barely makes it into China and India.
GREAT MYNA (Acridotheres grandis) – Formerly known as the White-vented Myna.
CRESTED MYNA (Acridotheres cristatellus) – This one overlaps with the above species in w. Yunnan.
Chloropseidae (Leafbirds)
ORANGE-BELLIED LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis hardwickii) – Recorded almost daily on this tour.
Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)
Restricted primarily to the country of Myanmar, the unique Collared Myna (seen here on a water buffalo calf) was one of our special finds in the Nabang area -- which happens to be right on the Myanmar border. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
YELLOW-BELLIED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum melanoxanthum) – Nice looks at several birds at the Gaoligongshan viewpoint one morning.
PLAIN FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum minullum) – Above Nabang for some.
FIRE-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER (Dicaeum ignipectus) – Easily our most widespread and common flowerpecker of the tour being found from Ruili to Lijiang.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
FIRE-TAILED SUNBIRD (Aethopyga ignicauda) – It's a shame that we never saw any alternate-plumaged males (wrong season). Still, a nice sunbird to see!
BLACK-THROATED SUNBIRD (Aethopyga saturata) – W. Yunnan is the stronghold for this species in China.
GOULD'S SUNBIRD (Aethopyga gouldiae) – Very common once we got the Tengchong and the Gaoligongshan, often found feeding in the pink flowering Prunus trees in the mountains.
GREEN-TAILED SUNBIRD (Aethopyga nipalensis) – A few fancy males in the Gaoligongshan.
CRIMSON SUNBIRD (Aethopyga siparaja) – A couple of brilliant males near Ruili.
STREAKED SPIDERHUNTER (Arachnothera magna) – Detected almost daily.
Prunellidae (Accentors)
MAROON-BACKED ACCENTOR (Prunella immaculata) – Seeing this scarce species so well was one of the many surprises in the Gaoligongshan.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla tschutschensis) – Only in the agricultural fields near Ruili.
CITRINE WAGTAIL (Motacilla citreola) – Our best looks were along the river at Nabang.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – The "yellow" wagtail seen most frequently on this tour.
WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba) – I think all of our birds were either leucopsis or alboides (the most common race).
RICHARD'S PIPIT (Anthus richardi) – We had both this migrant species and the following breeding species in the Ruili area only. This one is noticeably larger than Paddyfield.
Scenic Lijiang and the Black Dragon Pool (with the towering Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background) was where we finished up our three week tour of Yunnan. (photo by participant Pat Bacchetti)
ROSY PIPIT (Anthus roseatus) – We had good numbers migrating overhead just after dawn along Husa Ridge (with all of those Eyebrowed Thrushes!).
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus hodgsoni) – It's certainly normal to see these pipits perched in trees or on wires after they flush from the ground.
WATER PIPIT (Anthus spinoletta) – For some folks at the reservoir near Lijiang on our final morning together.
Elachuridae (Spotted Elachura)
SPOTTED ELACHURA (Elachura formosa) – Iris was the first to spot this special bird above Nabang and the rest of us then tried our best to catch a glimpse as it worked down the side of the road in the dense vegetation. Formerly known as Spotted Wren-Babbler, this one was recently placed in its own family - quite unrelated to the rest of the wren-babblers!
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GODLEWSKI'S BUNTING (Emberiza godlewskii) – One showed nicely for the group as we hiked above Lijiang and into the pines. Sometimes called Eastern Rock Bunting.
LITTLE BUNTING (Emberiza pusilla) – Several of these were spotted in the willows along the shore of the reservoir near Lijiang on our final morning together.
BLACK-FACED BUNTING (Emberiza spodocephala) – A few in the Ruili and Nabang areas.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifringilla)
DARK-BREASTED ROSEFINCH (Carpodacus nipalensis) – A couple of brilliant males were seen at the viewpoint in the Gaoligongshan on different mornings there.
COMMON ROSEFINCH (Carpodacus erythrinus) – We found fewer of these than I was expecting.
VINACEOUS ROSEFINCH (Carpodacus vinaceus) – A couple of dark females were followed by the group along the upper road in the Gaoligongshan for some decent views.
ORIENTAL GREENFINCH (Chloris sinica) – On our first morning in Beijing only.
One of our biggest surprises while birding the forests near Nabang was coming across a troop of Endangered Phayre's Leaf Monkeys. Primarily of Southeast Asian distribution, this species has a toehold in the remaining forests of western Yunnan. (photo by guide Dave Stejskal)
RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra) [*]
TIBETAN SERIN (Serinus thibetanus) – A couple of brief sightings in the Gaoligongshan. Sometimes called the Tibetan Siskin.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
RUSSET SPARROW (Passer rutilans) – Nicely one late afternoon in the forest above Tengchong.
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus)
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA (Lonchura striata) – Our best looks were near Ruili on our first morning there.
SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA (Lonchura punctulata)
MAMMALS
NORTHERN TREESHREW (Tupaia berlangeri) – Quite squirrel-like, but with a long snout.
PHAYRE'S LEAF-MONKEY (Trachypithecus phayrei) – This was quite an exciting find above Nabang and it's good to know that the forest here is healthy enough to support this primate.
EUROPEAN RED SQUIRREL (Sciurus vulgaris) – On our first morning at the Beijing Botanical Gardens.
BLACK GIANT SQUIRREL (Ratufa bicolor) – We had a couple of great looks at this huge squirrel, especially above Nabang
RED-BELLIED SQUIRREL (Callosciurus erythraeus) – Our most widespread sciurid.
PHAYRE'S SQUIRREL (Callosciurus phayrei) – For some of us above Nabang.
ANDERSON'S SQUIRREL (Callosciurus quinquestriatus) – This was the one that we were calling the Five-striped Squirrel that most of us saw above Nabang.
HIMALAYAN STRIPED SQUIRREL (Tamiops macclellandi) – Very chipmunk-like, but unrelated to our chipmunks.
LEOPARD CAT (Felis bengalensis) – Another exciting mammal find was this one walking down the road in the headlights of our bus in the Gaoligongshan! A testament to the wildness of the park here just minutes from our rooms.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 353 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa