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.
