The
Formosan barwing is about 18-19cm long and has a wing length
of 7.5-8.5cm. Both males and females have the same plumage:
chestnut colored heads; olive and grayish-brown necks, backs,
upper tail coverts, and upper chests; chestnut brown feathers
on the scapulars and back; and brownish-black tail feathers
whose base feathers have horizontal bars that are dark chestnut
brown. Their coverts and the horizontal stripes on their dark
brown flight feathers are also chestnut brown. Formosan barwings
have off-white feathers at the front of their necks and on
their upper chests, brown lower abdomens with some lighter
colored feathers mixed in, brownish-black beaks, and flesh
colored legs and feet.
Behavior:
Formosan
barwings are omnivorous birds that feed primarily on insects
and seeds. Their common name in Chinese, "li tou ban
chi diao," means "chestnut head, barred-winged bird"
and reflects their dark, chestnut brown plumage and the horizontal
bars of coloring in their tail feathers. They are often seen
in small groups in both broad-leaved forests and mixed coniferous
broad-leaved forests at middle to high elevations, though
they will descend to lower altitudes in the winter. Although
they are not considered nimble birds, Formosan barwings like
to jump between branches and tend to keep their head in a
fixed, upward position when moving around. Although a quieter
bird than the White-eared sibia, Formosan barwings are often
spotted in the company of White-eared sibias, as well as with
Formosan yuhinas and Steere's liocichla.
Habitat:
Formosan
barwings are endemic to Taiwan and usually seen in forests
at altitudes of 1500-2700m.
