Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) Hei juanwei

Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) Hei juanwei

(30 cm.) Glossy blue-black; very long, deeply-forked tail

The Black Drongo is a strange looking bird which is a member of the bird tribe, “Dicrurini”, the drongos. This tribe which was once considered a family includes seven species which can be found in China. The Black Drongo is also known as “King Crow”, although not a member of the crow family.

The Black Drongo is one of the most instantly recognizable birds in China due to its all black plumage and deeply forked tail. No other bird in China is all black with a deeply forked tail. Another drongo species, the Crow-billed Drongo is uniformly black only a slight fork in its tail. The distinctive silhouette of the Black Drongo can often be seen as the bird perches on telephone wire on roadsides.

The Black Drongo is an aggressive bird which frequently attacks larger birds such as crows and birds of prey which have the audacity to invade its territory.

The range of this species includes all of India and southeast Asia. In China, it is found in summer throughout most of the eastern and central part of the country. It is a year long resident in Hainan and Taiwan.

Black Drongos are active very early in the morning in the search of their favorite food, insects. They eat many large insects such as grasshoppers, cicadas, wasps, bees, dragonflies, and beetles. They perch and wait for flying insects in the manner of a flycatcher, and actively chase insects on the wing. At other times the will feed on the ground. In addition to insects, this bird will eat reptiles, other birds and even bats.

Both male and female Black Drongos sing in spring to attract a mate and establish territories. A cup-shaped nest made of thin sticks is placed in the fork of tree, and the female lays typically three eggs. Due to the ferocious nature of the Black Drongo, many other bird species such as orioles, doves, and especially, bulbuls choose to nest close to the nests of the Black Drongo for the added protection

Common Tern (pǔtōng yàn-ōu)

Terns are often easily confused with gulls. Both terns and gulls are sea birds which are usually found along the coastlines of most countries. Both types of bird are largely white with long bills and similar black markings. A first time observer of a tern could easily be forgiven for confusing one of these birds for a gull. There are some fundamental differences between gulls and terns, though.

Terns are generally smaller than gulls with sharply pointed wings and deeply forked tails. Their bills come to a sharp point, whereas the bill of gull is rounded at the tip. Their legs are much shorter than a gull’s legs. Like gulls, terns are hunters of fish, and they can often be seen hovering above the surface of lakes and seas prior to diving in their attempts to capture their prey.

Many terns are highly-migratory. In fact, the world champion among the animal world for long migrations is the Arctic Tern, a North American species which migrates between the North and South poles, a distance of 20, 000 km., twice a year.

The Common Tern is also well traveled, moving between their breeding grounds in Northern China and wintering grounds in Southeast Asia. Common Terns are very nearly cosmopolitan and can be found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere

The Common Tern will breeds in colonies that can exceed 5000 mated pairs of birds. They nest on the ground in freshwater and saltwater environments from coastal sea locations to freshwater lakes. They are quite adaptable and can use human structures as nesting sites as well. The female usually lays three eggs and will be very aggressive in protecting eggs and chicks. They have been known to attack humans who venture too close to their nests.

Photo by Tony Hisgett

Bohemian Waxwing

(18 cm.) Silky brown-grey plumage; black mask; head crest; waxy white, yellow and red “droplets” on wings

The Bohemian Waxwing is a bird of exquisite beauty that is unfortunately an uncommon bird in China. Due to their uncommon status, beholding one is all the more exciting. Two species of waxwing can be found in China, this species and the similarly uncommon Japanese Waxwing. Both species are beautiful crested birds with black masks and uniformly brown-grey plumage.

The Bohemian Waxwing is easily distinguished from the Japanese Waxwing by its yellow, not red tip of the tail, and more colorful, wax-like decorations on its wings. All three waxwing species in the world, these two species and the Cedar Waxwing of North America are named for the wax-like adornments on the birds’ wings. All have soft silky-looking feathers.

The Bohemian Waxwing is the only waxwing found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Its name, “bohemian”, means “wanderer”, a reference to its wide range. In China, the Bohemian Waxwing is an irregular breeding bird of Heilongjiang’s Hinggan Mountains. It will not be found elsewhere in China in summer. In winter, it is a regular, but not completely reliable visitor to “dongbei” and the Liaoning, Shandong, Hubei, Jiangsu region.

The Bohemian Waxwing’s gentle nature is befitting of its aesthetic beauty. It is primarily a consumer of berries, and berry shortages in northern latitudes influence its irregular  winter wanderings. In addition to berries, the Bohemian Waxwing will eat insects in the breeding season.

The Bohemian Waxwing usually nest high in a pine tree, but it will choose other nesting locations depending on the availability of food supplies. Mated pairs of this species often have more than one nest in a particular area. Usually 4-6 eggs are laid by the female in a nest lined with moss, grass and down. Young Bohemian Waxwings develop quickly and are independent about one month after hatching.

Bohemian Waxwing (Photo by Andreas Trepte)

Why Study Birds?

Every wide-awake person should be interested in birds. Their interesting 

ways, delightful colors, and charming songs make them loved by all. 

Besides these inducements for bird study, sufficient as they are, many 

other are held out to the enthusiastic bird student. 

A very important reward for the bird observer is the training in 

observation and keen vision. One who is interested in birds and used to 

their ways will often see birds th.t are unnoticed by one who has never 

cultivated this ability, recognizing by a flash of color, a peculiarity in 

flight, a momentary glimpse of a darting form, a rustle in the grass, or 

a note from the hidden depths of a thicket, the presence of a feathered 

friend that to others is non-existant. 

One who studies birds will also receive splendid training in patience, 

for hasty and bungling actions will very effectively prevent successful bird 

study. To see birds at their best one must chcose, in the early morning 

or the cool of the evening a spot frequented by birds and then quietly 

wait for them to show themselves. Birds are full of curiosity, so that 

if one flies into a thicket it will be almost sure to reappear if the 

observer can restrain its impatience and remain still. We must allow the 

birds to present themselves to us rather than try to force ourselves upon 

them. 

Aesthetics aside, birds have an undeniable economic value for every nation on earth during the 

growing season of crops, because of the injurious insects that they de- 

stroyed. When we realize injurious insects take at least ten per- 

cent of each agricultural crop, the importance of birds is plain. China 

has at present large number of birds to protect its crops against the 

swarms of insects that would destroy them. The protection of its avian 

resources should be at the forefront of any “developed” country’s agenda.

Let all who are interested in outdoor life, then, take up the study 

of birds. Not only will it add to the economic resources of the country, 

but it will bring joy to the bird lover.

Black-billed Magpie

The robust bird depicted in the photo at the top of this page is the Black-billed Magpie. This bird is a ubiquitous presence in Qingdao and much of Eastern China. Following is a description of this species' life and habits.

Field marks: Large (45-60cm.); iridescent, black and white, long tail.  Black portions of bird appear to be a green or blue in the right angle of light.
喜鹊 – xǐ-què – ‘magpie’

The Black-billed Magpie is one of the most familiar birds on the East Coast of China. It is widely known as the “lucky bird” by the Chinese, and it is associated with good luck and fortune for those who encounter it.

In fact, this species, while extremely handsome, has a far less attractive disposition and reputation. It should be noted that all species of magpie belong to the family, “corvidae.” This is the same family as the crow and the raven-two species better known for their association with bad luck and devilment as opposed to good fortune. All members of the family corvidae including magpies, crows, ravens and jays, are extremely intelligent animals and are considered by many ornithologists as the most intelligent of birds. However, this family also has a reputation for savagery.

The Black-billed Magpie is an omnivore, and it indeed consumes a large variety of foods. In addition to eating nuts, seeds and berries, it will take small rodents such as mice. The black-billed magpie, along with other members of its family, is known for its predatory behavior and will often dine on the young chicks of other bird species. It will also attack and bully cats, dogs, and other birds that may venture too close to it or its territory. It is clearly not a lucky bird for those species upon which it preys and wreaks havoc.

This species, in addition to its range in China is also found in the western part of North America. It can be found throughout much of western North America as well as  other locations in Asia. The species seems to be particularly successful on the East Coast of China, especially around Qingdao, where it appears to be as common as people.

This species is non-migratory, unlike most other songbirds. It may wander in order to find new food sources, but it does not undertake large scale migrations in spring and fall.

The Black-billed Magpie frequents open country such as fields and pastures with scattered trees. Its love of this habitat makes it an ideal city dweller, where it can find parks and suburban sprawl. It is this adaptability that we can admire about this bird, and although this magpie may be a scourge to other birds it will not bother people beyond attempts to steal scraps of food from your garbage.

Like many non-migratory species, the Black-billed Magpie breeds early in spring. It builds a large, domed nest of loosely bound twigs and the female lays 6-10 eggs. Young magpies can fly after about one month after hatching and feed themselves in two months.

Black-billed Magpie(Photo by Brian Westland)



Arctic Warbler (Pylloscopus borealis)

Field marks:  larger than other warblers, long yellow stripe over eye, bill slightly upturned, single wing bar (12 cm.)
极北柳莺 – jí běi liǔ-yīng – ‘extreme north willow warbler’

Most of the birds described here are found in China throughout the year. For most of us in eastern China, the only chance we will get to see this bird is during its lengthy spring and fall migrations along China’s East Coast. During the months of April and May in spring and August and September in fall, there is a very good chance to see this bird darting through the trees of city parks and gardens.

The Arctic warbler undertakes one of the longest migrations of any Asian or European songbird. During the summertime breeding season, this species can only be found in the extreme north of China, in northern Heilongjiang province. Most members of the species breed in Russia in a region approaching the Arctic Circle. This liking for extreme northern latitudes gives the bird its name.

The Arctic Warbler is one member of a large family of warblers, “Acrocephalinae”. China is home to no less than 83 species of warblers. All warblers are small, extremely active insectivores, meaning that they eat no other food besides insects. The limited nature of their diet dictates that these birds must always be in a place where insects are found, thus all warbler species that breed in locations which get too cold to support insect life in winter must fly south to warmer climes. The Arctic Warbler flies as far south as Indonesia and the Philippines to sustain itself in winter.

The Arctic Warbler is part of a sub group of warblers known as “leaf warblers” This group includes all the Asian warblers that are usually seen foraging high in trees for insects. Other species of warblers may choose to hunt on the ground for food or perch along rivers or ponds. All leaf warblers have greenish backs and white under parts with similar markings making identification very difficult. This species can usually be distinguished by its single wing bar, larger size and slightly upturned bill.

During spring and fall migrations, several species of leaf warblers can often been seen together foraging for food among the treetops. All of these species move very quickly while feeding leaping from branch to branch in a state of perpetual motion. Under these conditions it is often impossible to identify which species one is observing. Even seasoned birdwatchers will be unable to make exact warbler identifications on most days.

Photo by Lip Kee

Azure winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus)

Field marks:  black head, blue wings, long blue tail, and white underparts (31-35 cm.)
灰喜鹊 – huī xǐ-què – ‘grey magpie’

The Azure-winged Magpie is a close cousin of the “lucky bird” of China, the Black-billed Magpie. It is easy to see the physical similarities between the two species-the long slender body, the lengthy tail and bill, but these two species, while sharing a family heritage, seem to differ greatly in personality and attitude. The Black-billed Magpie is a noisy and aggressive bird that is often seen attacking and harrying other species. The Azure-winged Magpie, on the other hand, is a shy bird that is difficult to approach. In large cities, such as Beijing, these birds appear to have become much more approachable due to their exposure to friendly humans in city parks.

Like its more boisterous cousin, the Azure-winged Magpie is an omnivore that survives by consuming a wide variety of foods. This species will eat insects as well as pine seeds and acorns, the large seeds of the Oak tree. Given its more diffident temperament, the Azure-winged Magpie is less likely to engage in predatory behavior, and as such, it has not acquired the bully reputation of its bigger cousin.

This species can readily be found in city parks as these locations offer both the coniferous and deciduous trees that provide it with food and shelter. Outside of the city, the Azure-winged Magpie can be found in coniferous or deciduous forests.

The Azure-winged Magpie is a gregarious bird that likes the company of others of its kind. It is usually found in large loose flocks, especially in fall at the end of the breeding season. Following the completion of breeding and chick-rearing duties, azure-winged magpies will band together to search for food. Flocks of 50-60 individuals can often be seen gleaning the treetops of forests and moving together from tree to tree.

The Azure-winged Magpie nests in colonies with each pair of mated birds possessing its own tree in which to construct a nest and raise chicks. The female magpie usually lays around 6-8 eggs and incubates them for about two weeks before hatching.

Photo by Toshihiro Gamo



Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) Fengtou piti

(50 cm.) Large; slender neck; conspicuous dark crest; whitish underparts; grayish-brown upperparts.

The Great Crested Grebe is a largest member of the grebe family, “Podicipedidae” found in China. It is about twice the size of the smallest Chinese grebe, the Little Grebe.  It is a handsome waterbird named for the prominent tufts of feathers on the head.

This bird is widespread through China and is found everywhere in the country at some time of year except for the extreme tip of “dongbei” and the western desert regions. In the breeding season it is found throughout the northern half of the country. In winter, it is found along the East Coast from around Dalian south to Hong Kong and inland through most of the southeast.

The Great Crested Grebe can be found in freshwater lakes during the summer breeding season and in freshwater and saltwater environments, especially along the seasides of eastern China in winter.

Like other grebes, this species feeds primarily on fish, but it will also eat crustaceans, insects and frogs. It is capable of deep dives underwater to pursue fish and other aquatic creatures.

All grebes are supremely adapted for life in the water which makes them ill equipped to move on land. For example, a grebe’s leg is set far back near the rump. This adaptation aids in swimming, but makes walking on land a near impossibility. All grebes nest directly beside water to avoid the necessity of land movement.

Several grebe species have elaborate courtship displays, and the Great Crested Grebe is no exception. In the freshwater lakes of their summer breeding grounds, these birds put on a dance performance of great artistry. A pair of birds face each other and lift their bodies out of the water while nodding their heads up and down, often while holding vegetation in their bills.

A typical brood consists of two eggs. When the chicks hatch, each parent will identify a favourite chick, and take sole responsibility for the raising that chick.

Photo by Maartin Visser



Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Field marks: (25-30cm.) Long bill, large frilled crest, brown head, chest and back, black and white striped wings and tail
戴胜 – dài-shèng – ‘wear headdress’

The Common Hoopoe is perhaps the most unique and interesting bird in China. Its odd name is the phonic transcription of the sound of its voice. It is another widespread species that is found throughout much of Eurasia and Africa. It is one of the few species of birds in the world that does not have other close relatives among the bird world. Not only does the hoopoe have its own genus and species, this single species has its own family as well. Most bird species have close cousins who share its genus and family. The hoopoe’s status as a sole species in the family, upupidae, makes it a bird of particular interest.

The hoopoe is instantly recognizable and unmistakable and is aesthetically pleasing to watch. The hoopoe could only possibly be confused with a woodpecker, a type of bird it is distantly related to, but its curved, thin bill instantly distinguishes it from the woodpecker clan.

The hoopoe is a well-loved species throughout its range due to its consumption of many insects that are considered crop damaging pests such as grasshoppers and locusts. Due to this fact, many countries have set up protective measures to ensure its survival. It will also eat small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs. The hoopoe feeds by probing the ground with its long sensitive bill and extracting tasty morsels.

Throughout its range, the hoopoe is population is strong. In China, the hoopoe is also doing well and is fairly common. However, the hoopoe is not so common that it is often seen on city streets and parks, so seeing one is always a treat.

The hoopoe has an undulating flight much like the movement of an amusement park roller coaster. Upon alighting on a perch and when alarmed, the hoopoe flashes its frilled head crest.

The hoopoe has achieved legendary status in many old world cultures around the world. In ancient Egypt and Minoa, it was depicted on temple walls. In ancient Greece, it was credited as the “king of birds” in literary works. It is the national bird of Israel, and deserves greater recognition in China.

Photo by Brian Westland



Blue and White Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana)

(17 cm.) Male: Face, throat and breast black; upperparts blue; underparts white. Female: Grey-brown upperparts; brown wings and tail; white down center of throat and belly.

The Blue and White Flycatcher’s name is a descriptive moniker which goes a long way to explain this bird’s appearance and behavior. The male of the species is largely blue and white, but it also has large patches of black on the face and throat. The female, like many songbirds, is a much less beautiful bird than the male.

The bird’s family, “flycatcher”, or “muscicapidae” is a group of generally small songbirds which engage in active forms of hunting for flying insects such as flies. Many species of this family found in China are brightly colored. They are often seen sitting motionless on a perch, usually a protruding branch of a tree, waiting for a flying insect to pass before they launch themselves on a short flight to attempt to capture their prey.

The Blue and White Flycatcher if somewhat larger than other flycatchers and its striking coloration makes it one of the most beautiful to behold.

This species, like all members of its family, is highly migratory, and in fact, is only visible in many locations in the country during its migrations. It is fairly common, however, and given a little effort on the part of the observer, it can be found often during migration.

In summer, this bird breeds through Korea and Northern China, it migrates the entire length of the East Coast of China to its wintering grounds in South China, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

The Blue and White Flycatcher shows a preference for wooded areas such as deciduous forests. It can often be seen hunting and feeding high in the forest canopy.

This species is fond of all kinds of insects, not only flying ones. While smaller flycatchers will content themselves with the pursuit of flying insects, this species will often be seen searching the ground for insects and other invertebrates such as millipedes and centipedes.

Photo by Brian Westland

Photo by Brian Westland