Glass bird, Zi Xiao Dong (in
Mandarin pronunciation)
Video:
Features:
The
Formosan whistling thrush is about 30-32cm long and has a
wing length of 16cm. Both males and females have the same
coloring: black beaks, legs, and feet; red eyes; mostly black
plumage with a shimmering, bluish-purple tint; and purplish-blue
foreheads, wing edges, chests, and the tips of their abdominal
feathers. The feathers of the Formosan whistling thrush glitter
in the sun, reflecting a royal purplish-blue color and giving
them the nickname of "Glass bird."
Behavior:
Formosan
whistling thrushes dig up the ground to look for earthworms
and insects to eat; however, they will also prey upon fish,
frogs, snakes, lizards, shrimps, crabs, and water insects.
Their breeding season is in the spring and summer, and they
often build their nests among hidden cliffs along the edges
of rivers. Females usually lay a clutch of two oval-shaped
eggs that are light pink in color with a few brown spots.
A very cautious and territorial bird, Formosan whistling thrushes
often stand atop rocks amid rivers or streams in order to
survey their surroundings. They also enjoy wading and jumping
into the water with their fan-shaped tails expanded, as they
attempt to catch shrimp and small fish to eat.
Habitat:
Formosan
whistling thrushes are endemic to Taiwan and the largest river
bird on the island. They prefer living in damp, shady areas
near rivers at lower elevations, especially near fast-flowing
mountain streams.
