5th - 15th February, 225 species (309 in 2013) Western Yunnan
A selection of my favourite photos taken
on this trip can be seen HERE.
5th: Longling from 1,500 to
2,000 masl.
6th: west
of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl; and Baihualing, Gaoligongshan (from 1,450 to 1,950 masl).
7th: Baihualing, Gaoligongshan from 1,450 to
1,900 masl; and the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) from 1,900 to about 2,400 masl.
8th: Baihualing, Gaoligongshan from 1,450 to 2,350 masl.
9th: Baihualing,
Gaoligongshan from 1,450 to 1,950 masl; and Tengchong from 1,650 to about 1,900 masl.
10th: Yinjiang, at
about 800 masl; and Xima at about 1,600 masl.
11th: Xima, near to the border with Burma, from about 1,650 to about 1,450 masl.
12th: Husa, from about 1,450 to about 2,000 masl.
13th: Nanjingli, near Ruili at about
1,400 masl; and Lexi Bishan, Ruili at about 950 masl.
14th: Moli at about 900 masl; east of the Ruili River at about 800 masl; and Jiele Reservoir at about 850 masl.
15th: Lexi Bishan
at about 950 masl; and east of the Ruili River at about 800 masl.
Unless otherwise
stated, ssp have been assigned following an analysis of the species’ IOC (3.2) ranges. Clements (6.7)
was also consulted. Many thanks to the organisations responsible for compiling and maintaining these remarkable
tomes, and of course for allowing free and unfettered access to the birding community.
Mountain Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola
fytchii 棕胸竹鸡 +
One at Husa on
the 12th.
The nominate ssp occurs here (w Sichuan to Burma and n Vietnam).
Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera
白鹇 +
Three at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,700
masl.
Those in western Yunnan are presumed to be jonesi (e Burma to s China and n Thailand).
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna
ferruginea 赤麻鸭
Three at Yinjiang on the 10th.
Two
at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,650 masl. Eight by the Ruili River on 14th,
at about 800 masl.
Monotypic.
Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica
栗树鸭 +
One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Monotypic.
Common Teal Anas crecca 绿翅鸭
c15 at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Those in
western Yunnan are the nominate crecca.
Falcated Duck Anas falcata 罗纹鸭
c15 at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Monotypic.
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Anas poecilorhyncha 印缅斑嘴鸭 +
c20 at Xima on the 11th. c100, presumably of this species, at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl (only two were close
enough to be specifically identified).
Those in western Yunnan are presumed to be haringtoni (Burma to s China and Laos).
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 赤嘴潜鸭
+
3 females at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about
850 masl.
Monotypic
Goosander Mergus
merganser 普通秋沙鸭
Four
on the Ruili River on the 14th.
Unclear to me whether these birds were orientalis or
the nominate merganser.
Little
Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 小䴙䴘
c20 on the Jiele Reservoir, Ruili on the 14th.
Unclear to
me whether these distant birds were poggei (ne to se Asia…) or albescens (Caucasus to Burma and Sri
Lanka).
Grey-capped
Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus 星头啄木鸟
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th. One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,650 masl.
One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950
masl.
Clements describes kaleensis range as “SW China (Sichuan to Fujian) to n Burma, n Indochina;
Taiwan”. The illustration of kaleensis in Robson matches the birds seen above. However, The
IOC and Brazil describe the range of kaleensis as Taiwan only.
Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos
cathpharius 赤胸啄木鸟 +
One at Xima, close to the border with Burma, on the 11th.
Presumed to be a tenebrosus (n and e Burma
to s China and nw Vietnam).
Darjeeling
Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis 黄颈啄木鸟 +
One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,400 masl.
Of the nominate form (Nepal and ne India to s China and nw Vietnam).
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
大斑啄木鸟 +
One at Tengchong on the 9th.
This bird
is presumed to be a stresemanni (ne India, ne Burma and s China).
Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha
大黄冠啄木鸟 +
One, a male, at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,750 masl.
This bird
is presumed to be a lylei (w Thailand and e Burma to s China, n Laos and nw Vietnam). The red
“full” crown illustrated in Robson supports this hypothesis.
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Picus canus 灰头绿啄木鸟 +
One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.
This bird
is presumably a sordidior (se Tibet and sw China to ne Burma).
Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus 栗啄木鸟
+
One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th February, at about 850 masl.
This bird is presumably a phaioceps (c Nepal and ne India to sw and s China, n and e Thailand and
Burma).
Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes
guttacristatus 大金背啄木鸟 +
Two, a vociferous male, and a female, at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th February, at about 950 masl. Three,
two males and a female at the same location on the 15th.
The few birds
of the species left in western Yunnan are nominate guttacristatus.
Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis 黄嘴栗啄木鸟
+
One, a male, at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about
1,900 masl.
Those in western Yunnan are nominate pyrrhotis.
Great Barbet Megalaima
virens 大拟啄木鸟 +
Up to eight birds seen daily at all locations.
Based on range analysis by the IOC, those in western Yunnan could be nominate virens, or clamator
or both. Clements states that it is clamator
that occurs in “w Yunnan”.
Franklin's Barbet Megalaima
franklinii 金喉拟啄木鸟 +
One at Baihualing,
Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,650 masl. One there on the 7th and two on the 8th (within
100 masl of the first sighting). One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,750 masl.
All birds seen well identified as the nominate franklinni (e Himalayas and ne India to s China and
n Vietnam) on the basis of them having a golden-yellow chin and upper-throat patch markedly contrasting with whitish mid and
lower throat; as well as “duo-tone” ear-coverts (dark underscored by silvery white). Presumably
ramsayi (e and se Burma and nw Thailand) also occurs.
Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica 蓝喉拟啄木鸟
+
One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.
Three at Moli on the 14th. Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
All birds that were seen well were identified as the nominate (ne Pakistan to w and n Burma and sw Yunnan).
SE Yunnan holds davisoni, but it is unclear to me how far this ssp (se Burma to se Yunnan…) extends
westwards and northwards in Yunnan.
Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulatus 花冠皱盔犀鸟
+
One flapped majestically over a vast area of the Yinjiang side
of the Husa ridge at 9.10am on the 12th, at about 1,500 masl. Unforgettable. Thank goodness
I had seen the species before in Yunnan, otherwise I don’t think I would have been able to put my bins down and pick
my camera up to get a photo for the record.
I photographed a flock of 5 birds
at close range in westernmost Yunnan in 2010 that were a stone’s throw from the border with Burma. That
area is presently classified as a war zone, and consequently is off-limits to anyone except locals because shells from Burmese
army guns, aimed at the Kachin rebels, have hit Chinese territory. Seeing this bird on this trip
was a most unexpected surprise to say the least.
It is not known how many modern records
there have been beyond this border area.
2 ssp recognised by the IOC (Clements regards the species as monotypic
; the IOC recognises another ssp that is endemic to Borneo). Either way, the bird I saw
was the nominate.
Hoopoe Upupa epops 戴胜 +
One west of the Nu River valley on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
Longirostris in western Yunnan.
Indian Roller Coracias
benghalensis 棕胸佛法僧 ++
Two on wires
east of the Ruili River on the 15th.
Affinis
in western Yunnan.
Red-headed
Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus 红头咬鹃 +
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl.
Intermedius in “Yunnan”.
However, Clements states that it is helenae that occurs in western Yunnan (and northern Burma).
The bird here was not seen well enough to identify the ssp.
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 普通翠鸟
+
One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Bengalensis is presumably
the ssp here.
Pied
Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 斑鱼狗 +
One at Yinjiang
on the 10th. Several at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Leucomelanurus is the ssp here.
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 白胸翡翠
+
Two at Yinjiang on the 10th. One at Jiele Reservoir
on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Perpulchra
(Bhutan to e India, Indochina, the Malay Pen. and w Java) seems to be the ssp here, although I don’t know how far the
range of fokiensis (s and e China, Taiwan and Hainan) extends westwards.
Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 八声杜鹃
+
One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.
Querulous is the ssp here.
Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus
tristis 绿嘴地鹃 +
One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
The nominate is the ssp here.
Greater
Coucal Centropus sinensis 褐翅鸦鹃 +
One east
of the Ruili River on the 15th.
It is unclear to me whether the ssp here
is the nominate (Pakistan through n India to se China) or intermedius (Bangladesh and Burma to s Thailand, Indochina
and Malay Pen).
Atherton's
Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni 蓝须夜蜂虎 +
One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,550 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata 凤头树燕
+
Six over Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, seen from about 950 masl.
Monotypic
Asian
Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides 斑头鸺鹠 +
One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
Unclear to
me which ssp this is. The IOC describes rufescens range as: ne India, Bangladesh, n Burma and
s Hunnan. Clements describes whitelyi range as: Sichuan, Yunnan and se China s of Yangtze to ne
Vietnam.
Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba
hodgsonii 点斑林鸽 +
A flock of c20 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about
1,950 masl.
Monotypic [The IOC does not include China is this species range,
whereas Clements does].
Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
山斑鸠
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,550 masl.
The ssp here is either winter-visiting orientalis or resident agricola. Birds
not seen well enough to determine which.
Spotted
Dove Spilopelia chinensis 珠颈斑鸠
One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
The ssp here
is presumably chinensis, although it is not clear to me how far the range of tigrina (n India through Indochina
to Philippines and Sundas) extends eastwards.
Barred
Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia unchall 斑尾鹃鸠 +
One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.
The ssp here
is tusalia.
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus 黑水鸡 +
c20 on the
Ruili River on the 14th.
Nominate ssp.
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 丘鹬 +
One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Monotypic.
Solitary Snipe Gallinago
solitaria 孤沙锥 ++
One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 10th, at about
1,600 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 扇尾沙锥
+
Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about
1,600 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 白腰草鹬
One at Tengchong on the 9th, at about 1,600 masl. Five at Yinjiang on the 10th, at about
800 masl. One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,650 masl.
Monotypic.
Common
Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 矶鹬 +
Two at Yinjiang
on the 10th.
Monotypic.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 青脚鹬
+
One at Jiele Reservoir on the 14th, at about 850 masl.
Monotypic.
Little
Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 金眶鸻 +
c10
at Yinjiang on the 10th.
The ssp that breeds here is jerdoni. The
wintering ssp is curonicus.
River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii 距翅麦鸡
+
A group of seven at Yinjiang on the 10th. One
east of the Ruili River on the 15th.
Monotypic.
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus 灰头麦鸡
+
A flock of nine on a sandbank next to the Ruili River on the 14th.
Monotypic.
Red-wattled
Lapwing Vanellus indicus 肉垂麦鸡 +
A flock of five in a flooded field east of the Ruili River on the 15th.
The ssp here
is atronuchalis.
River Tern Sterna aurantia 黄嘴河燕鸥 +
Four at Yinjiang on the 10th.
Monotypic.
Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus 凤头蜂鹰
+
One at Longling on the 5th.
Unclear whether
this was a migratory orientalis or a resident ruficollis.
Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus 黑鸢 +
Three west of Yinjiang on the 10th. One at Mangshi on the 15th.
The IOC regards lineatus as a ssp of Milvus migrans.
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 黑翅鸢
+
Four at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about
1,550 masl.
The ssp here and in other parts of China is vociferus.
Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus 喜山鵟
+
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,400 masl.
Black Eagle Ictinaetus
malayensis 林雕 +
One on the east side of the Husa ridge on the 12th, at about 1,750
masl. Nominate ssp.
Common
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 红隼
One at Yinjiang
on the 10th.
The ssp here is presumably interstinctus.
Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger 黑颈鸬鹚
+
c30 at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Monotypic.
Great
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 普通鸬鹚
c70 at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
The ssp is
sinensis.
Little
Egret Egretta garzetta 白鹭
Two at the Xima wetlands on 11th at about 1600 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Great
White Egret Ardea alba 大白鹭
Two on the
Ruili River on the 14th.
Presumably ssp modestus.
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus
coromandus 牛背鹭 +
One near Longling on the 5th. Three near the
Ruili River on 14th and six on the 16th, at about 800 masl.
Monotypic.
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola
bacchus 池鹭 +
Two at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.
Monotypic.
Grey
Heron Ardea cinerea 苍鹭
Three by the Ruili River on the 14th.
The ssp here is presumably jouyi, although it is not clear to me how far west the nominate winters
or strays.
Little
Green Heron Butorides striata 绿鹭 +
One at Yinjiang
on the 10th.
Unclear to me whether the ssp here is javanica (IOC:
Burma and Thailand to the Philippines and the Greater and Lesser Sundas) or actophila (Clements: e China to n Vietnam
and n Burma).
Golden-fronted
Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons 金额叶鹎 +
One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. Three at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th,
at about 950 masl.
Unclear to me whether the ssp here is pridii (IOC: sw
China and e Burma to nw Thailand and n and c Laos; Clements: SW China [s Yunnan] to s Burma, n Thailand and n Laos) or the
nominate (IOC: e Himalayas to Burma; Clements: Himalayas
and ne India to Burma).
Hardwick’s
Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii 橙腹叶鹎 +
Five at Nanjingli,
near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 棕背伯劳
c6 at Longling on the 5th. Three at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th,
at about 1,450 masl.
The ssp here is tricolor (IOC: Nepal and e India through
Burma and s China to n Laos and n Thailand; Clements: Nepal to n Burma, Yunnan, n Laos and n Thailand).
Grey-backed Shrike Lanius
tephronotus 灰背伯劳 +
Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 10th, at about
1,650 masl. Four there on the 11th. Two at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,850
masl.
The ssp is presumably the nominate. However, the range described by the IOC for
lahulensis (nw India and sw China) conflicts with that described by Clements (N Kashmir to Ladakh and adjacent w Tibet).
Eurasian Jay Garrulus
glandarius 松鸦 +
Three at Tengchong on the 9th.
The ssp is presumably sinensis. However, Clements describes leucotis as
present in “s Yunnan”. It is unclear to how far the population extends northwards.
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie
Urocissa flavirostris 黄嘴蓝鹊 +
Two at Baihualing,
Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 2,300 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha 红嘴蓝鹊
One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here
is alticola.
House
Crow Corvus splendens 家鸦 ++
A flock of c12 near the army checkpoint, about 10 miles east of
the border with Burma, on the 10th.
Presumably ssp insolens.
Large-billed Corvus macrorhynchos
大嘴乌鸦 or Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii 丛林鸦
Two west of Yinjiang on the 10th.
If Large-billed the presumably ssp tibetosinensis.
Eastern Jungle Crow is monotypic.
Slender-billed
Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris 细嘴黄鹂 +
Four at Tengchong on the 9th. One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
The IOC recognises two species: invisus (e Himalayas to s China and c Vietnam) and tenuirostris
(s Vietnam). That being the case, then clearly invisus would be the ssp here. Clements, however,
regards the species as monotypic.
Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii 朱鹂 +
One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. One at Nanjingli,
near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos 暗灰鹃贝鸟
+
One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.
One at Moli on the 14th. One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
Presumably ssp avensis.
Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris 灰喉山椒鸟
+
Two at Longling on the 5th.
Western Yunnan
ssp: Clements describes montpellieri as occurring in SW China (nw and c Yunnan), and the IOC describes
this ssp as occurring in “s China”. But there are two other ssp whose ranges (described by
the IOC) are not far from where the Longling birds were seen: solaris (c and e Himalayas, n and w Burma) and rubrolimbatus
(e and se Burma, n Thailand).
Long-tailed
Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus 长尾山椒鸟
Two on the 8th Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the
8th, at about 1,950 masl.
The situation regarding ssp is complex.
Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris 短嘴山椒鸟 +
One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,550 masl. Four at
Husa on the 12th, at about 1,450 masl. c6 at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp in
Western Yunnan is presumably affinis.
Scarlet
Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus 赤红山椒鸟 +
Three at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. Three at Moli on the 14th. Four at Lexi Bishan,
Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
From an analysis of the ranges in IOC, the ssp involved are presumably either speciosus (Himalayas
to sw China) or fraterculus (ne India, n Burma, s China, Hainan and n Indochina). However, with
reference to Clements, the most likely contender is elegans (SW China [nw Yunnan] to ne India, n Burma and n
Indochina). To complicate matters further, the elegans ssp is not recognised by the IOC.
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus 灰卷尾
+
Up to ten birds seen daily at several locations.
Seems likely that the birds in western Yunnan are hopwoodi.
Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus 古铜色卷尾
+
Several birds seen daily in the Ruili area.
Nominate ssp.
Yellow-bellied Fantail Chelidorhynx hypoxantha
黄腹扇尾鹟 +
One to four individuals seen daily when in suitable forest habitat.
Monotypic.
White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis 白喉扇尾鹟
+
One to three individuals seen daily when in suitable forest habitat.
The ssp here is celsa.
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensis 方尾鹟 +
One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,500 masl. Three at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at
about 950 masl.
The ssp here is calochrysea.
Large
Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus 钩嘴林贝鸟 +
A flock of seven at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. A flock of c10 at Lexi
Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here is presumably jugans.
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris
栗腹矶鸫 +
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,550 masl.
One at Tengchong on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl. Three at Husa on the 12th, at about
1,700 masl.
Monotypic.
Eugene’s
Whistling Thrush Myophonus [caeruleus] eugenei 紫啸鸫
One on the road to Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,050 masl. Two
at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,600 masl. Three at Moli on the 14th.
The IOC and
Clements treat eugenei as a ssp of Myophonus caeruleus.
Dixon’s Thrush Zoothera dixoni 长尾地鸫
+
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,900 masl. At
least ten different birds there on the 7th and 8th, between 1,850 and 2,100 masl.
Monotypic.
Scaly
Thrush Zoothera dauma 虎斑地鸫 +
One from
the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,150 masl.
Nominate
ssp.
Purple Cochoa Cochoa purpurea
紫宽嘴鸫 +
One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at
about 1,950 masl.
Monotypic.
Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii 褐河乌
+
Three at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at
about 1,450 masl.
The ssp here is dorjei.
Black-breasted Thrush Turdus dissimilis 黑胸鸫
+
c10 at Tengchong on the 9th.
A
flock of 21 birds at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,400 masl. c10 at Moli on the 14th.
Monotypic.
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata 橙胸姬鹟
+
One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about
1,550 masl. Three at Husa on the 12th.
Nominate
ssp.
White-gorgeted Flycatcher Anthipes monileger 白喉姬鹟
+
One at
Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,800 masl. I was surprised to find one there.
The
ssp is leucops.
Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor 灰蓝姬鹟 +
Three at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.
Not clear to me which ssp is in western Yunnan.
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 铜蓝鹟
+
Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. Nominate ssp.
Large
Niltava Niltava grandis 大仙鹟 +
One from
the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,050 masl.
Nominate
ssp.
Small Niltava Niltava
macgrigoriae 小仙鹟 +
One at Moli on the 14th, at about 900 masl.
The ssp here is signata.
Rufous-bellied
Niltava Niltava sundara 棕腹仙鹟 +
One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here
is probably sundara (IOC: c and e Himalayas to sw China and c Burma; Clements: E Himalayas to se Tibet, s China [n
Yunnan) and n Laos). Although denotata (IOC: s China and e Burma; Clements:
SW China to n Myanmar; to n Thailand and n Laos) is a possibility.
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 蓝喉歌鸲
+
One at Yinjiang on the 10th, at about 800 masl.
This appeared to be the nominate ssp, but I have no idea what kobdensis (IOC: breeds in w Mongolia
and w China, winters in s and se Asia) looks like.
Himalayan
Bluetail Tarsiger rufilatus 蓝眉林鸲 +
Several seen
daily at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan from 1,700 to 2,000 masl.
Monotypic.
Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger
chrysaeus 金色林鸲 +
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at 1,650 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Oriental
Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis 鹊鸲 +
One west
of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
The ssp here is presumably erimelas.
White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis
leucocephalus 白顶溪鸲 +
Two by the river next to the approach road to Baihualing, Gaoligongshan
on the 6th, at about 1,250 masl. One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,600 masl. Two at
Moli on the 14th.
Monotypic.
Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosa
红尾水鸲 +
One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 850 masl.
Three at Moli on the 14th.
Nominate ssp.
White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura 白尾蓝地鸲
+
One at Longling on the Feb 5th, at about 1,700 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Siberian
Stonechat Saxicola maurus 黑喉石即鸟 +
Several on Feb 10th and 11th at Xima, at about 1,600 masl.
All at Xima were in breeding plumage, and were presumably ssp przewalskii
Pied Bushchat Saxicola
caprata 白斑黑石即鸟 +
Two at Baihualing,
Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,600 masl.
The ssp here is burmanicus.
Grey Bushchat Saxicola
ferreus 灰林即鸟+
c6 each day (presumably the same birds) at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan,
between 1,550 and 1,700 masl.
Monotypic.
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 北红尾鸲
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,150 masl. Also one there on the
9th, at about 1,800 masl. One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,800 masl.
The ssp here is leucopterus.
Blue-fronted
Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis 蓝额红尾鸲 +
Two at Longling on the 5th, at about 1,800 masl. One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,600 masl.
Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.
Monotypic
Black-backed
Forktail Enicurus immaculatus 黑背燕尾 +
One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
Monotypic.
Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus
schistaceus 灰背燕尾 +
Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about
1,450 masl. Two at Moli on the 14th.
Monotypic
Leschenault’s Forktail
Enicurus leschenaulti 白冠燕尾 +
One at Lexi
Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here is indicus.
Spotted Forktail Enicurus
maculatus 斑背燕尾 +
Three at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,450 masl.
The ssp here is guttatus.
Great Myna Acridotheres grandis 林八哥
+
One by the road from Dehong to Longling on the 5th. Perhaps
a rare bird south of the Gaoligongshan.
Monotypic.
Black-collared Starling Gracupica
nigricollis 黑领椋鸟 +
Several at Tengchong on the 9th.
Monotypic.
Naga
Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 栗臀䴓 +
Two at Baihualing,
Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,950 masl. Two at Tengchong also on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl.
The ssp here is montium.
White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta
himalayensis 白尾䴓+
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,250 masl.
Monotypic.
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta
frontalis 绒额䴓 +
One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,400 masl.
Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Eastern Great Tit Parus minor 远东山雀
Two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,750 masl. Three on two other dates.
According to the ranges described by the IOC, the ssp here is tibetanus (se Tibet, sw and sc China
to n Burma). However, the situation is far from the clear, as there may be a second distinct species in
western Yunnan (“Cinerous” Tit). In short, the taxonomy and identification of this group is,
to me, as clear as mud.
Yellow-cheeked
Tit Parus spilonotus 黄颊山雀 +
Three at
Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, between 1,550 and 1,750 masl. Five at Husa on the 12th, at about
1,800 masl. Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here
is presumably the nominate (IOC: e Nepal and ne India to n and w Burma and sw China).
Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus 黄眉林雀
+
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,200 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Black-throated
Tit Aegithalos concinnus 红头长尾山雀 +
Several from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,250 masl. c10 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan
on the 8th, at about 1,650 masl.
The ssp here appears to be talifuensis.
Bonvalot's
Tit Aegithalos bonvaloti 黑眉长尾山雀 +
Three at Longling on the 5th, at about 1,900 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus
flammiceps 火冠雀 +
Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about
1,450 masl. A flock of c25 on the south side of the Husa ridge on the 12th, at about 1,600 masl.
The ssp here is olivaceus.
Grey-throated Martin Riparia chinensis 褐喉沙燕
+
c30 by the river, in the town of Longling on the 5th.
c20 at Yinjiang on the 10th, at about 800 masl. Two by the Ruili River on the 14th.
Nominate ssp.
Asian
House Martin Delichon dasypus 烟腹毛脚燕 +
A flock of c100 in the air over the Husa ridge on the 12th.
Unclear whether
these were ssp cashmeriense or nigrimentale.
Swallow Hirundo rustica 家燕 +
Many seen on most dates below 1,800 masl.
Presumably
ssp gutturalis, but possibly up to three (IOC recognised) ssp involved.
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 线尾燕
+
One over fields east of the Ruili River on the 14th, at about
800 masl.
The ssp here is filifera.
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 金腰燕 +
Several over Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
Presumably
the nominate ssp.
Chestnut-flanked
White-eye Zosterops erythropleurus 红胁绣眼鸟 +
A flock of c50 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,900 masl.
Monotypic.
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus
暗绿绣眼鸟
A flock of c30 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan
on the 6th, at about 1,800 masl. And several other flocks on all days in the Gaoligongshan.
A flock of c20 at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. '
The ssp here is simplex.
Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris 黑冠黄鹎 +
One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl. Two at Moli on the 14th.
The ssp here is presumably the nominate (IOC: Nepal, n and e India to s China and c Burma; Clements: Himalayas
[Punjab] to ne India, n Burma and sw China).
Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 红耳鹎
+
Three west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
c10 at Moli on the 14th.
The ssp here is monticola (e Himalayas to n Burma and
s China).
Striated
Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus 纵纹绿鹎 +
One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,050 masl. Two at Nanjingli,
near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.
The ssp here is presumably paulus (e Burma, s China and
n Indochina).
Brown-breasted
Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthorrhous 黄臀鹎 +
Several at Longling on the 5th.
Nominate
ssp.
Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus
cafer 黑喉红臀鹎 +
Several west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
c20 at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. c30 at Moli on the 14th.
The ssp here
is stanfordi (n Burma and sw China).
Flavescent
Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens 黄绿鹎 +
Two at Baihualing,
Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,850 masl. Several at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450
masl. Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here
is vividus.
White-throated
Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus 黄腹冠鹎 +
Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th and one there on the 15th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here
is burmanicus.
Mountain
Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii 绿翅短脚鹎 +
Three from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,000 masl. Several at Husa
on the 12th, at about 1,450 masl. Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th and one there on the 15th, at about
950 masl.
The ssp here is similis [Clements NE Burma (Kachin) to
sw China (Yunnan) and n Indochina].
Ashy
Bulbul Hemixos flavala 灰短脚鹎 +
Three at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.
Nominate
ssp. [Clements: E Himalayas (Garhwal to Nepal); w Yunnan and sw Burma]
Black Bulbul Hypsipetes
leucocephalus 黑短脚鹎 +
Up to 150 seen daily at altitudes lower than 2,200 masl.
Fewer than 5 per cent were white-headed.
The main ssp here is ambiens [Clements: NE Burma to sw
China (w Yunnan in Irrawaddy watershed)]
Crested
Finchbill Spizixos canifrons 凤头雀嘴鹎 +
c15 at Xima on the 11th. Three at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.
Two at Moli on the 14th.
The ssp here is ingrami. [IOC: e Burma,
s China and n Indochina; Clements: E Burma to sw China (Yunnan), nw Thailand and n Indochina.]
Rufescent Prinia Prinia
rufescens 暗冕山鹪莺 +
Three east
of the Ruili River on the 14th, at about 800 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Hodgson’s Prinia Prinia hodgsonii 灰胸山鹪莺
+
c10 west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
Several at the Jiele reservoir on the 14th.
The ssp here is confusa. [Clements: S China (s Sichuan
and w Yunnan) to ne Laos and n Vietnam.]
Yellow-bellied
Prinia Prinia flaviventris 黄腹山鹪莺 +
Two west of the Nu River on the 6th.
Possibly nominate ssp, but situation is far from clear as delacouri
(according to the IOC) seems also to be a strong contender.
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 纯色山鹪莺
+
One
at Yinjiang on the 10th.
The ssp here is blanfordi (n, c and e Burma, nw Thailand and w Yunnan).
Striated Grassbird Megalurus
palustris 沼泽大尾莺 +
One in a
flooded field at Xima on the 10th, at about 1,600 masl.
The ssp here
is toklao.
Grey-bellied
Tesia Tesia cyaniventer 灰腹地莺+
One at Moli on the 14th, at about 900 masl.
Monotypic.
Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus 金头缝叶莺
+
One at Xima on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. One
at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,800 masl.
The ssp here is coronatus.
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus
fuscatus 褐柳莺 +
One at Yinjiang on the 10th. Not known whether this was
ssp fuscatus or ssp robustus.
Yellow-browed
Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 黄眉柳莺 +
One to three daily in the Gaoligongshan.
Monotypic.
Buff-barred
Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher 橙斑翅柳莺 +
Three at Longling on the 5th. One to four birds daily in the Gaoligongshan.
Nominate ssp.
Ashy-throated
Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis 灰喉柳莺 +
Up to four birds daily at the Gaoligongshan, 1,800 to 2,200 masl.
Nominate
ssp.
Sichuan Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus forresti 四川柳莺
+
A few birds seen daily in the Gaoligongshan.
Monotypic.
Blyth's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides 西南冠纹柳莺
+
A few seen in the Gaoligongshan and also near Ruili.
Presumably ssp assamensis.
Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni 宽嘴鹟莺
++
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,300 masl
in the same bamboo cluster at the flock of Slender-billed Scimitar Babblers.
Presumably
nominate ssp.
Black-faced
Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps 黑脸鹟莺 +
One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,200 masl.
The ssp here
is ripponi.
Davison's
Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus davisoni 云南白斑尾柳莺 +
Three in the Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at least two there on the 8th. Several each day
in the Ruili area.
Monotypic.
Grey-cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys 灰脸鹟莺
+
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,100 masl.
Monotypic.
White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis 白喉噪鹛
+
One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,800 masl.
The ssp here is eous.
Lesser
Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger 小黑领噪鹛 +
A flock of c6 at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.
Nominate ssp (c and e Himalayas to c Burma and
w Yunnan).
Rufous-necked
Laughingthrush Garrulax ruficollis 栗颈噪鹛 +
None in the Lexi Bishan forest, but a flock of c6 along the edge of a crop on 15th beneath there, at about 750 masl.
Monotypic.
Black-throated
Laughingthrush Garrulax chinensis 黑喉噪鹛 +
A flock of 5 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,550 masl.
The ssp here
is presumably lochmius.
Moustached
Laughingthrush Garrulax cineraceus 灰翅噪鹛 +
One at Tengchong on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl.
The ssp here
is strenuus.
White-browed
Laughingthrush Garrulax sannio 白颊噪鹛 +
Three at Longling on the 5th. A few with the flock of Rufous-necked Laughingthrush on the 15th.
The ssp here is comis.
Scaly
Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor 纯色噪鹛 +
Two together from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,100 masl. One at
Tengchong on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl.
The ssp here is griseatum (n Burma and w Yunnan)
Red-tailed Laughingthrush Trochalopteron milnei 赤尾噪鹛 +
A flock of c8 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,750 masl. A flock (perhaps
the same) at a slightly lower elevation on the following day.
The ssp here is sharpei.
Rippon's Liocichla Liocichla ripponi 红翅薮鹛 +
A flock of c6 at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. One at Husa on
the 12th, at about 1,600 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Rippon’s
or Red-faced Liocichla ripponi/phoenicea 红翅薮鹛/灰头薮鹛
The small flock (three or four) birds seen at Baihualing, Gaoligoingshan on the 7th at about 1,700 masl,
showed characteristics of the latter. One there on the 9th at about the same place. If
Red-faced, then ssp bakeri [Clements: S Assam (s of the Brahmaputra) to nw Myanmar and nw Yunnan.]
Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum
ruficeps 棕头幽鹛 +
Two west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
The ssp here is presumably shanense.
Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus gravivox
斑胸钩嘴鹛 +
One at Longling on the 5th.
The ssp here
is odicus (IOC: ne and e Burma, s China and n Indochina; Clements: mountains of ne Myanmar to s China (Yunnan), n
Laos and nw Tonkin). This taxon was formerly classified as a ssp of Spot-breasted Scimitar
Babbler.
White-browed Scimitar Babbler
Pomatorhinus schisticeps 灰头钩嘴鹛 +
One ssp ripponi with a Red-billed Scimitar Babbler at Husa on the 12th at about 1,800 masl.
Darker mantle than Red-billed; shorter, and thicker yellow (versus red) bill. Chestnut collar and
flanks.
Red-billed Scimitar Babbler
Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps 棕头钩嘴鹛 +
One with a White-browed Scimitar Babbler at Husa on the 12th at about 1,800 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Streak-breasted
Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis 棕颈钩嘴鹛 +
Two from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th with a single Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler,
at about 2,350 masl in mature evergreens. One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,150 masl.
The ssp here
is probably similis.
Slender-billed
Scimitar Babbler Xiphirhynchus superciliaris 剑嘴鹛 ++
One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,350 masl, with two Streak-breasted Scimitar
Babblers. A flock of five at Baihualing on the 8th at about 2,300 masl in dense bamboo.
The ssp here is forresti [Clements: Mountains of ne Myanmar and sw China (nw
Yunnan)]
Streaked Wren Babbler Napothera
brevicaudata 短尾鹪鹛 +
Four at Moli in on the 14th.
The ssp here
is venningi [Clements: S China (w Yunnan) to ne Myanmar].
Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyridopsis ruficeps 红头穗鹛
+
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,700 masl.
The ssp here is bhamoensis.
White-bellied
Yuhina Erpornis zantholeuca 白腹凤鹛 +
c20 at Nanjingli on the 13th at about 1,400 masl.
Nominate ssp [c and e Himalayas to Burma, w Thailand and w Yunnan].
Black-headed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer 棕腹贝鸟鹛
+
One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at
about 2,250 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Blyth's Shrike Babbler Pteruthius aeralatus 红翅贝鸟鹛
+
One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,800 masl.
One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,950 masl.
The spp here is ricketti.
Green Shrike Babbler Pteruthius
xanthochlorus 淡绿贝鸟鹛 +
Two at Husa
on the 2 th at about 1,800 masl.
The ssp here is pallidus.
Egerton’s
Barwing Actinodura egertoni 锈额斑翅鹛 +
Up to 20 birds seen daily at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, between 1,700 and 2,100 masl (including one flock of c15 birds
on the 9th). c6 at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. c10 at Husa on
the 12th, at about 1,850 masl. Several at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.
The ssp here is ripponi.
Sir Philip Grey Egerton (13 November 1806 – 6 April 1881)
was a palaeontologist, who amassed the-then world’s most extensive private collection of fish fossils.
He also had time to be a member of parliament (for a total of 47 years at three different Cheshire constituencies).
Blue-winged
Minla Minla cyanouroptera 蓝翅希鹛 +
c10 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, between about 1,600
and 1,900 masl. Seveal at Husa on the 12th. Four at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here is wingatei.
Chestnut-tailed
Minla Chrysominla strigula 斑喉希鹛 +
Three at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,700 masl.
The ssp here
is yunnanensis.
Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta 火尾希鹛
+
Three at Longling on the 5th. Up to six seen
daily in the Gaoligongshan.
Nominate ssp.
Yellow-throated Fulvetta Pseudominla cinerea 黄喉雀鹛
+
A flock of c12 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th at about
2,250 masl.
Monotypic.
Rufous-winged Fulvetta Pseudominla castaneceps 栗头雀鹛
+
A flock of c15 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th at about
2,100 masl.
Nominate ssp (e Himalayas to w Yunnan and w Thailand).
White-browed Fulvetta Fulvetta
vinipectus 白眉雀鹛 +
At least three birds at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th at
about 2,350 masl.
The ssp here is perstriata. [Clements: NE Myanmar (Kachin
State) to… w Yunnan]
Manipur Fulvetta Fulvetta
manipurensis 印缅褐头雀鹛 +
A flock of c10 from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,250 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Rusty-capped
Fulvetta Alcippe dubia 褐胁雀鹛 +
Three flocks, each comprising c10 birds on the 8th, between 1,650 and 2,000 masl.
The ssp here
is intermedia (ne and e Burma, w Yunnan).
Yunnan Fulvetta Alcippe fratercula 灰头雀鹛
A flock of c30 on the 6th and several on the 7th at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, between 1,700 and 1,900 masl.
Over 100 birds in several flocks at Husa on the 12th.
Monotypic.
Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe
nipalensis 白眶雀鹛 +
A flock of c6 at Xima on the 11th at about 1,450 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Chinese
Babax Babax lanceolatus 矛纹草鹛 +
Three at Xima on the 10th, at about 1,600 masl.
Nominate ssp [Clements: Mountains of se Tibet to se Assam, sw
China and ne Burma]. The IOC recognises ssp bonvaloti (SW China), which Clements doesn’t
recognise. It is worth noting that both the IOC and Clements recognise ssp latouchei in SE China.
Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila
annectans 栗背奇鹛 +
1 pair at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,950 masl.
Nominate
ssp [IOC: e Himalayas, n Burma and sw China; Clements: Sikkim to Bhutan, Assam, nw Myanmar and w Yunnan]
Grey Sibia Leioptila gracilis
灰奇鹛 +
c12 at Xima on the 11th at about 1,500 masl. Three
at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. Two at Moli on the 14th.
Monotypic.
Black-headed
Sibia Leioptila desgodinsi 黑头奇鹛 +
Four at the Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, on the 6th between 1,800 and 1,900 masl. Three there on the
8th at about 1,750 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Beautiful
Sibia Leioptila pulchellus 丽色奇鹛 +
Up to a dozen birds each day at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan.
Monotypic.
Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides 长尾奇鹛
+
A flock of five at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th at about
1,650 masl. A flock of 18 at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.
Nominate ssp. [IOC: c Himalayas to n Burma and s China; Clements: Nepal to Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam, nw Yunnan
and ne Myanmar.]
Silver-eared Mesia Mesia argentauris 银耳相思鸟
+
Up to 30 birds seen daily at higher altitudes. Mostly
in flocks.
The ssp here is presumably vernayi. [IOC:
ne Assam (ne India), n Burma and s China; Clements: NE Assam to n Myanmar and s China (w Yunnan)].
Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix
lutea 红嘴相思鸟 +
A flock of c12 from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on
the 7th, at about 2,050 masl. A flock of c8 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,950 masl.
The ssp here
is presumably yunnanensis.
Whiskered
Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis 黄颈凤鹛 +
Flocks of up to ten birds seen daily in the Gaoligongshan. Several at Xima, near to the border with
Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,550 masl. c20 at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,450 masl.
The ssp here is presumably rouxi.
Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis 棕臀凤鹛
+
Flocks of up to 20 birds seen daily in the Gaoligongshan.
The ssp here is obscurior.
Grey-headed
Parrotbil Psittiparus gularis 灰头鸦雀 +
A flock of c6 at Nanjingli on the 12th at about 1,400 masl.
The ssp here
is presumably transfluvialis.
Spot-breasted
Parrotbill Paradoxornis guttaticollis 点胸鸦雀 +
A flock of seven at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th at about 1,700 masl.
Monotypic.
Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill
Chleuasicus atrosuperciliaris 黑眉鸦雀 +
A flock of c6 at Nanjingli on the 13th at about 1,450 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Fire-breasted
Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus 红胸啄花鸟 +
One at Xima on the 11th at about 1,500 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Mrs Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae 蓝喉太阳鸟
+
c20 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th between 1,700 and
1,900 masl. c10 there on the 8th and also on the 9th. Three at Xima, near to the border
with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,500 masl.
The ssp here is dabryii.
Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis 绿喉太阳鸟
+
Two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,000 masl.
The ssp here is koelzi.
Black-throated
Sunbird Aethopyga saturata 黑胸太阳鸟 +
One at Xima on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about
1,450 masl.
The ssp here is assamensis. [IOC: ne India, n Burma into sw China; Clements: Bangladesh to Assam,
n Burma and sw China (w Yunnan)]
Fire-tailed
Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda 火尾太阳鸟 +
At least two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th at about 1,900 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Crimson
Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja 黄腰太阳鸟+
One pair east of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
According
to Clements, the spp here is seheriae [who includes SW China within its range]. The
IOC, though, describes the range of seheriae as “Himalayan foothills of n India, w Bangladesh”. With
reference to the IOC-described ranges, labecula looks to be the most likely candidate [e Himalayas and Bangladesh
through Burma (except s) to nw Laos and nw Vietnam].
Streaked
Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna 纹背捕蛛鸟 +
Three at Xima on the 11 th at about 1,550 masl. Three at Moli on the 14th. Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili
on 15th, at about 950 masl.
Nominate ssp.
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 白鹡鸰
Several at Yinjiang on the 10th, and up to 10 birds daily near the river and reservoir at Ruili.
Both leucopsis and alboides were identified.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla
cinerea 灰鹡鸰 +
Two west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.
One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,650 masl.
Nominate ssp.
Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus 田鹨 +
One at Yinjiang on the 10th. Identification based on dark lores, extensive pale fringes to median coverts,
and indistinct throat and breast streaking (whereas Richard’s has pale lores, narrow fringes to the median coverts and
marked streaking).
The authoritative book on the subject is Per Alstrom’s Pipits
and Wagtails [a description and reviews of this 'must have' book can be read here].
Nominate ssp.
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 树鹨
+
Up to c10 birds seen most days at most locations.
The ssp here is either the nominate or yunnanensis.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 麻雀
Up to 100 each day at lower altitudes.
It is unclear
to me which ssp occurs here.
White-rumped
Munia Lonchura striata 白腰文鸟 +
A flock of nine at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.
The ssp here
is presumably acuticauda.
Scaly-breasted
Munia Lonchura punctulata 斑文鸟 +
A flock of
c50 west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl. c30 at Jiele reservoir on the 14th.
The ssp here is yunnanensis.
Vinaceous
Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus 酒红朱雀 +
Two (one male) at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,900 masl.
Nominate
ssp.
Little Bunting Emberiza
pusilla 小鹀 +
Two to ten birds seen daily at most locations.
Monotypic.
Elegant
Bunting Emberiza elegans 黄喉鹀 +
Three at
Xima on the 11th at about 1,500 masl.
The ssp here is presumably elegantula [Clements: Mountains
of sw China; > to ne Myanmar]. The IOC, though, describes its range as central China only.
