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.
