The
White-eared sibia has an average body length of 24cm and a
wing length of 10-11cm. Both males and females have the same
plumage, which consists of a bluish-black shimmering crown;
a grayish-black nape, back, throat, and upper chest; and an
orange-brown lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts. White-eared
sibias also have a chestnut brown lower chest and lower tail
coverts; long, brownish-black tail feathers; shimmering black
wings and a black beak; and flesh-colored legs and feet. They
derive their name from their characteristically long eye stripe,
which are shaped like whiskers and extend all the way behind
their ears.
Behavior:
Like
the Formosan yuhina, the White-eared sibia is a bird that
sings out loud at sunrise each morning in a loud, beautiful,
and resonant voice that sounds like "fei fei fei yo."
However, they are also known for giving warning calls that
sound similar to gunfire. Their diet is quite diverse, consisting
of nectar, fruits, seeds, and insects. They are commonly seen
in small groups in the middle and upper levels of broad-leaved
forests at low and middle elevations.
Habitat:
White-eared
sibias are endemic to Taiwan and usually appear in middle
and upper levels of wild or mixed coniferous broad-leaved
forests at 1000-2500m elevations.
