The Taiwan bulbul has an average body length of 18cm and a
wing length of approximately 8cm. Both males and females have
the same plumage: immaculate black feathers from crown to
nape; white cheeks, auriculars, and throats; olive green backs,
wings, and tail feathers, mixed with a tinge of gray; light
brown chests; and white abdomens. The Taiwan bulbul also has
a small, orange mole near its beak, and its bill, legs, and
feet are all black.
Behavior:
Taiwan
bulbuls have a diet consisting primarily of seeds, though
they will occasionally dine on small insects as well. They
are often spotted in areas where people are present, such
as parks, gardens, and orchards, and can also be found scattered
throughout broad-leaved forests and on hills at lower elevations.
A very active bird, they are often seen in pairs during their
mating season or mingling in small groups on the tips of branches
during the autumn and winter.
Habitat:
Taiwan
bulbuls are endemic to Taiwan and exist only in the eastern
areas of Hualien and on the Hengchun Peninsula. For the most
part, Taiwan bulbuls and Chinese bulbuls have distinct boundaries
between their habitats. However, there are exceptions to this,
such as in the Fang Mountain area in western Taiwan, Suao
on the eastern coast, and the middle and lower reaches of
the Li Wu River. In areas where their boundaries do overlap,
Taiwan bulbuls and Chinese bulbuls will often mate with one
another.
