Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

(95 cm.)Field marks:  large, long bill and legs, grayish plumage
   苍鹭 – cāng-lù – ‘dark blue heron’

The Grey Heron is one of the largest members of the heron family, “Ardeidae”, in China. It is a widespread species found in Africa and throughout temperate Europe and Asia. Only two other herons in China are of a similar size, the even larger and quite dark Purple Heron and the similarly sized, but all white, Great Egret. The greyish, yellow-billed Grey Heron is quite easy to distinguish from these other large members of its family.

Like all herons, egrets, and bitterns, this species flies with its head retracted to its body in an “s” shape, distinguishing it from other large flying waders such as storks and cranes.

The Grey Heron is a voracious eater armed with a lethal, dagger-like bill, and it wreaks havoc on the aquatic life of its watery habitat. It is not picky about the food it consumes and will snatch frogs, lizards, insects, fish, snakes, plovers, ducklings, and other small birds and their chicks. This species is usually a solitary hunter which usually stands in the shallow water of streams, lakes and ponds waiting motionlessly for prey to stray within striking range. They will also actively stalk other prey choices.

Like all herons, this species is a colony nester. It builds a solid and bulky nest of sticks which is situated in a tree close to the edge of a lake, marsh, or even a seaside.

The Grey Heron is described as locally common throughout its large range, meaning that in certain locations the bird may be uncommon or even rare, while in other places it is a common sight and easily found. 

Photo by JJ Harrison



Great Tit (Parus major)

Field marks: head and throat black, white cheek, black band through breast
(14 cm.)
大山雀 – dà shān-què – ‘large mountain finch’

The Great Tit is another widely distributed species that is found throughout Europe and Asia. It is also a very common species throughout its range and familiar to many people. The Great Tit was once considered a single species with several subspecies throughout its range, but recent scientific studies have suggested that the bird we see in Asia should be referred to as the “Japanese Tit” and that the birds found in Europe should be referred to as the “Cinerous Tit”. Ornithologists are still arguing about this new division of the species, so the name “Great Tit” will suffice for our purposes.

The scientific name of this species, “Parus major” means large tit, and indeed this species is the largest member of its group. All tits, however, are small songbirds. They are all active omnivores that feed primarily on insects during the spring and summer months and seeds during the winter. In Europe and North America tits are frequent visitors to feeding stations maintained by bird-lovers and are very popular with people due to their friendly natures. They often eat from the hands of people patient enough to earn their trust. Their engaging personalities and comfort with people have made them one of the best-studied group of birds in the world.

The Great Tit inhabits a large variety of habitats including deciduous and coniferous forests as well as “mixed woodland”. It will also be found in city parks and university campuses throughout much of China.

It is a non-migratory bird that can remain in the same place during summer and winter by switching its diet from insects in summer to seeds in winter. Only in the event of food shortages in winter will the Great Tit undertake large food-searching movements. Often, the Great Tit will join “mixed flocks” of other bird species such as finches and nuthatches harsh winter to forage for food in the harsh winter months.

Great Tits are early spring breeders that use tree cavities as nests. They will also readily use man-made boxes for nesting purposes making them good subjects for study. The female lays a large clutch of eggs, often up to 18. The female alone will incubate the eggs and she will be fed by the male during her incubation duties. Young tit chicks are fed by both parents.

Great Tit (European race) by Luc Viatour

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 favorite chick and take sole responsibility for the raising that chick.

Photo by Dick Daniels

Crested Mynah (Acridotheres cristatellus)

(26 cm.) All black; prominent crest; white patches in wings easily seen in flight

The Crested Mynah is a large member of the starling family, “Sturnidae”. It is the only mynah species which can be found in the temperate portion of China. Other mynah species are birds of the tropics, requiring the hot temperatures that these latitudes provide. The small flocks of Crested Mynahs this writer sees in Qingdao’s parks may be the northernmost colony of this species in the country.

This species gets its name from its prominent crest, a feature which other Asian mynah species lack. Its uniform black coloration and conspicuous white wing patches are also signature markings.

Many birds of this species are trapped and sold on the caged bird market in this country. They are popular cage birds due to their unique vocal abilities including a talent for mimicry. Caged birds can be taught to speak human words without little difficulty. Of course, the birds cannot understand the meanings of the words they speak, but their human owners enjoy listening to them, anyway. In nature, mynahs will imitate the calls of other bird species.

The Crested Mynah is a bird of open country such as farmland, field, and pasture. Its love of this habitat makes it an ideal urban dweller. City parks and gardens offer this bird just this kind of habitat.

This bird, like all members of the starling family, is an omnivore which will subsist on primarily fruits, insects and other small invertebrates. This species will usually be found strutting on the ground in search of food in parks and gardens in urban areas.

Photo by Brian Westland

Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula)

(29 cm.) Entirely black plumage; yellow bill and eye ring

The Eurasian Blackbird, often referred to as the Common Blackbird is a very common member of the thrush family, “turdidae”. Like other many other birds in this family, the Eurasian Blackbird is a talented singer that serenades females and threatens other males with its melodious singing during the spring and summer.

Despite bearing the name, “blackbird,” it should be noted that this bird is a true thrush and is not related to members of the American blackbird family, “icteridae.” As one of the few completely black species of songbirds in Europe and Asia, the bird’s English name is most reasonable. The male has uniformly black plumage with a striking yellow eye-ring and yellow bill. The female is a less attractive mix of black and brown, but still possesses the yellow bill, which is this species diagnostic feature.

The Eurasian Blackbird is found throughout south and central China as far north as Shandong province. It is not a migratory species and can be found year-round in most part of its range. In the northern part of its range, some birds may wander south during winter to seek out better conditions. It is generally a hardy species, however.

This bird is a common sight in city parks and gardens or any place that offers it its preferred foods, earthworms, insects, and other small invertebrates. It is a versatile omnivore that also enjoys berries and fruits.

During the summer breeding season the male Eurasian Blackbird will attract a mate with a strange courtship display of running and head-bobbing. After mating, the couple will build a cup-shaped nest made of mud, grass and other vegetation. The female lays 3-5 eggs and incubates them herself for about two weeks. Due to the accessible position of Eurasian Blackbird nests, predators often take eggs and chicks. Despite this, this species continues to maintain a large population, and this bird continues to be regular attraction in city parks in all major Chinese cities from Qingdao in the north all the way down the East Coast of China.

Photo by Brian Westland

Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) Song ya

(35 cm.) Pinkish color; white throat; black “mustache”; blue and black pattered wings; white rump

The Eurasian Jay, like other jays found in the world, is part of the “Corvidae” family which includes crows and magpies. The Eurasian Jay shares many characteristics of these birds including a harsh voice,  exceptional intelligence and a somewhat dark reputation for aggressive and predatory behavior.

This species shares the Black-billed Magpie’s love of eggs, and it will actively seek out the nests of other bird species to steal eggs and even chicks. Its aggressive nature is most often directed at birds larger than itself, however. The Eurasian Jay is known as a fierce rival of several birds of prey. It will harass owls and hawks during the day in an attempt to protect its own kind. During its attacks on the Tawny Owl, the Eurasian Jay will mimic the call of the owl. This bird has a great gift of mimicry, and its imitations of the sounds of other birds are difficult to distinguish from the real calls of the species it imitates.

In addition to eggs, the Eurasian Jay eats seeds, berries and other fruits. It is especially fond of acorns, and it seeks out oak forests as habitat to give it a steady supply of this food. Various animals such as small animals, insects, and other birds constitute a significant part of its diet.

This is a widespread species which is found throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In China, this species is found in most of the eastern half of the country. Like most members of the Corvidae family, it is a non-migratory resident species within its range. Its varied diet allows it to consume foods in any season within its range.

Perhaps due to the destruction of the mixed oak forests which it favors, this species is moving into the cities where urban parkland can offer it the conditions it needs to survive.

The Eurasian Jay nests in a large shrub or a tree, and the female lays 4-6 eggs in an untidy stick nest. Both parents will feed the chicks after the eggs have hatched.

Despite its aggressive personality, or perhaps due to it, this species can end up being a prey item at night for the species of raptors which it bullies during the day

Photo by Pawel Kuzniar

Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus)

(10 cm.) Small; green-olive upperparts; white eye-ring; yellow throat and vent

The Japanese White-eye is the most common of three white-eye species that occur in China. All white-eyes are named, not surprisingly, for the conspicuous white eye rings that each member of the family possesses. China is home to several other small songbirds, however, that also possess white eye rings such as several species of flycatcher, so one should not automatically assume that any bird with an eye ring is a member of this family.

The Japanese White-eye, like other members of its family, “Zosteropidae,” the white-eyes, is an omnivore with a varied diet. The birds will take insects and fruits and will even visit flowers to take nectar.

This species is extremely active, and like many warblers, it is often difficult to observe due to the hyperactive pace it sets. Fortunately, its broad eye ring and yellow body are easily noted, and it is very quickly identifiable.

Of the three white-eye species which occur in China, only two inhabit the eastern part of the country, the Japanese White-eye and its close cousin, the Chestnut-flanked White-eye. The species look alike, however, the Chestnut-flanked White-eye has very obvious brown stripes on its sides, so distinguishing the two species is not difficult. Sometimes, these two species will flock together.

The Japanese White-eye builds a cup-shaped nest made of a variety of building materials such as hair, spider webs, moss and lichen. It will even steal materials from the nests of other birds.

This bird is admirable for its beauty as well as its role in helping to control insect populations. In 1929, it was introduced to Hawaii in an attempt by authorities there to control insect populations on that ecologically-challenged group of islands.

Japanese White-eye (Photo by Dick Daniels)

Japanese White-eye (Photo by Dick Daniels)

Orange-flanked Bush Robin (Tarsiger cyanurus)

(13 cm.) Male: Blue upperparts; orange flanks; white underparts; white eye-line. Female: uniformly grey-brown upperparts; orange flanks; blue tail; white throat and underparts.

The Orange-flanked Bush Robin is a small, brightly colored and delightfully tame species of songbird that is a common sight among the bushes of city parks and gardens. It is a delight to encounter due to its usually friendly disposition, allowing humans to approach within close range before flying off.

This species gets in name from the orange stripes along its sides, or “flanks.” The male of the species is a beautiful bird with a deep blue back and tail, orange flanks, and white under parts. The female of the species is grayish-brown with a blue tail and the diagnostic orange flanks. This stark difference in coloration between males and females is typical of the bird’s family.

The Orange-flanked Bush Robin is a member of the family, “Mucacipidae,” with other robins and flycatchers. Like all members of this family, this species is an insectivore. This species can usually be found low in bushes or on the ground in search of its favorite food.

This is another very widespread species that breeds as throughout much of East Asia as far west as Finland and reaching Japan in its easternmost range. In China, its breeding range is limited to Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces. During the breeding season, the Orange-flanked Bush Robin is found nesting in mixed coniferous forests. The nest is usually on or near the ground and will contain 3-5 eggs which are incubated by the female.

With the completion of its breeding, the Orange-flanked Bush Robin will begin its long trek to its southern wintering grounds in South and Central China and Southeast Asia. In winter, this bird can be found as far north as Shanghai.

Orange-flanked Bush Robin (Photo by Brian Westland)

Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) Hongzui xiangsiniao

(15 cm.) Red bill; thick white eye-ring; orange breast; yellow belly; yellow patches on wings

The Red-billed Leiothrix is a colorful species of the babbler family, “Timaliidae.” Despite the fact that the bird is fairly common, it is rarely seen. This is due to its love of dense jungle and pine forest habitats with dense ground vegetation that allows the bird to remain hidden from most observers. This species is often called by other names such as Pekin Robin, Pekin Nightingale and Japanese Nightingale, despite the fact that it is not native to Japan.

All babblers, this species included, share certain common traits which help to distinguish them from other songbirds. Most have harsh, chattering and unmusical calls unlike the more pleasing sounds of other songbird species. Most babblers tend to be “sedentary” or inactive, and remain close to the ground. They are weak fliers and as such do not undertake migrations. Babblers are usually quite gregarious, liking the company of others of its kind.

The Red-billed Leiothrix is an omnivore which eats both plant and animal matter. It feeds among the vegetation on or close to the ground of its forest and jungle habitats. It is fond of fruits such as strawberries, guava and papaya and many types of insects.

During the summer breeding season, this species makes an open cup-shaped nest of a type similar to other babblers which is usually situated close to the ground in a shrub. The nest is usually composed of leaves, moss and lichen. As the nest is placed in a shrub surrounded by dense vegetation, it is usually well-hidden from predators. The female lays 2-4 eggs with 3 eggs constituting the normal clutch size.

In China, the Red-billed Leiothrix is found throughout the southeastern mainland from the South Coast as far north as approximately the Shanghai region.

The Red-billed Leiothrix and the Hwamei are two Chinese songbird species which have been introduced widely to other locations around the world. Both species have been introduced in Hawaii and have thrived there. In other places such as Australia, France and England, the Red-billed Leiothrix was introduced but failed to establish itself. Hawaii is much richer today for the presence of this lovely Chinese bird.

Red Billed Leiothrix (Photo by Dick Daniels)

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

(16 cm.) Small; small bill; single thick dark band across chest; yellow legs; conspicuous yellow eye-ring; no wing bars

The Little Ringed Plover is a member of a large subfamily of small wading birds with straight bills which are notched at the tip, the plovers. The plover family is known according to scientific classification as the “Charadriinae” family. Plovers are found feeding for small invertebrates at the water edge’s and on open land.

This species is one of the smallest of its family. Like many plovers, it has a black mask and a ring around its neck. The Common Ringed Plover looks very similar but the Little Ringed Plover’s completely black bill, thinner neck ring, and conspicuous eye-ring distinguish it from this bird.

The Little Ringed Plover is a widespread species that is found in North Africa in winter and most of Europe and Asia throughout the year. In China, this species breeds throughout the eastern and central parts of the country. It winters in the southeast of China and Southeast Asia.

The diet of this species consists mostly of worms and insects of various species.

This species is usually found in marshes, mudflats, and along the sandy banks of rivers and streams.

The Little Ringed Plover is a widespread and common species in eastern China, and it is likely to be encountered by anyone who seeks it out.

Little Ringed Plover (Photo by Marek Szczepanek)

Great Tit (Parus major)

(14 cm.) head and throat black, white cheek, black band through breast.


The Great Tit is another widely-distributed bird species that is found throughout Europe and Asia. It is also a very common species throughout its range and is familiar to many people. The Great Tit was once considered a single species with several subspecies throughout its range, but recent scientific studies have suggested that the bird we see in Asia should be referred to as the “Japanese Tit” and that the birds found in Europe should be referred to as the “Cinerous Tit”. Ornithologists are still arguing about this new division of the species, so the name “Great Tit” will suffice for our purposes.

The scientific name of this species, “Parus major,” means “large tit,” and certainly this species is the largest member of its family. All tits, however, are small songbirds. They are all active omnivores that feed primarily on insects during the spring and summer months and seeds during the winter.

In Europe and North America tits are frequent visitors to feeding stations maintained by bird-lovers and are well-loved by all people for their tameness and willingness to trust humans. They often eat from the hands of people patient enough to earn their trust. Their high level of comfort with people has made them one of the best-studied group of birds in the world.

The Great Tit inhabits a large variety of habitats including deciduous and coniferous forests as well as “mixed woodland.” The bird can also be found in city parks and university campuses throughout much of China.

The Great Tit is a non-migratory bird that can remain in the same place during summer and winter by switching its diet from insects in summer to seeds in winter. Only in the event of food shortages in winter will the Great Tit undertake large food-searching migrations. Often, the Great Tit will join “mixed flocks” of other bird species such as finches and nuthatches to forage for food during harsh winter months.

Great Tits are early spring breeders that use tree cavities as nests. They will also readily use man-made boxes for nesting purposes making them good subjects for study. The female produces a large clutch of eggs, often up to 18 in number. The female alone will incubate the eggs and she will be fed by the male during her incubation duties. Young tit chicks are fed by both parents.

Great Tit (Photo by Luc Viatour-www.Lucnix.be)