On any Sunday visitors to the Tamsui River, especially around the levees, or to the lushly forested mountain slopes of Wulai can often see a group of rather unusual sightseers. Armed with binoculars, this group moves about, stopping for periods to scan the water, trees and mountains, and occasionally drawing out a small notebook. These are the amateur ornithologists of the Republic of China, better known to one and all as bird watchers. Experienced members of troops have honed their identification skills to impressive levels, accurately identifying species from such clues as flight formations, plumage, sounds and habitat.

Both amateur bird watchers and professional ornithologists agree that the island of Taiwan is home to an incredible number of bird species. Despite its rather limited land area, some 400 different varieties of birds have been recorded as being sighted here. The United States and Australia, occupying land areas in excess of 200 times the size of Taiwan have species totals ranging from 800 to 1000 types. Therefore, Taiwan, for an island is quite exceptional for its profusion of bird species.

There are many reasons for this rather unique situation. The geographic position of the island off the east coast of the Asian landmass places it in one of the main migratory flyways for countless bird species making their annual winter trips south from the cold lands of north Asia. Included among these are numerous water fowl varieties such as wild geese, ducks and gulls. Originating from their summer nesting grounds in Japan, Manchuria, Siberia and the plateau region of Mongolia, they fly southward making Taiwan one of their chief wintering and resting stops. Those that take brief respite here continue on to destinations further to the south like the Philippines, Indonesia and sometimes fly as far south as the southern hemispheric lands of Australia and New Zealand.

The waterfowl species with their long legs and extended bills find a rich feeding environment in the aquatic regions of the island. Ocean coastline, inland rivers and rich delta areas provide bountiful catches of shellfish and insects. These wintering grounds also provide a haven for birds who can dive and swim in relative safety.

There is also a small percentage (1% of total bird species) of migratory birds which use the island as a breeding area during the summer months. These birds usually fly up from such southern land areas as the Philippines.

Also included in these transient species are those birds that accidentally make their way to the island's shores. Literally lost, these birds are most often buffeted by storms and strong winds or are sometimes brought to Taiwan unaware after alighting on the deck of an ocean going vessel. These transient varieties account for 60% or 250 of the total number of the island's bird species. The remaining 150 species are residents having made their way to this island abode due to the climatic and geologic forces that helped shape the eventual nature and location of the land.

According to geological theory the island of Taiwan and the coast of mainland China were connected at one point in the early eons of earth's history. Later the action of plate tectonics (based on the theory of continental drift) caused the island to separate. During the recurring periods of glaciation (from 10,000 to 25,000 years ago) the waters receded from the Taiwan Straits leaving a natural land bridge which provided a corridor for numerous bird and animal species. The complex physical topography of the island also proved beneficial--as the climate warmed in the post-glacial period the high mountain slopes provided an ideal environment for the more temperate climate species. Therefore, there are still many species of birds found only in more northern regions existing in the high elevation areas of Taiwan.

Bird watching has always been a unique part of man's existence. Birds, noted for their plumage, flight and living habits made their way into the annals of early literary works. Greek myths include many stories and allusions to the winged creatures of the sky. The legend of Leda and the Swan (later immortalized in poetic verse by Yeats) told the tale of the god Zeus assuming the form of a swan, while another myth still enjoying great popularity tells of a man Icarus who fashioned a set of wings like a bird so that he could fly to the sun.

The modern bird watcher, while still enjoying the beauty and sound of a bird, prefers to admire the bird in its natural environs, as it exists in nature. Just the name of one such group, the Wild Bird Society of Taipei indicates the difference in intent.

Starting just over 10 years ago, these groups of bird watchers have grown to include over 3,000 members island-wide. Started by expatriate workers, the activity also grew to attract the local Chinese population.

Bird watching is an easy pastime in terms of equipment and requirements. All the prospective amateur ornithologist needs are binoculars and a field guide. Most adherents share common traits--a love for nature and investigating the ecological environment.

Sha Ch'ien-chung is an example of a young person who has become an active bird watcher. Enjoying the beauty of birds in nature since the age of 12, he studied and watched for 10 years before realizing there were migratory birds. Joining the group, he was as he admits quite "shocked" by the profusion of species existing in the Kuantu area on his first visit.

Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are the three major centers for bird watching groups, with Taipei having the largest network. Besides the regular Sunday excursions to nearby sighting areas, the group takes a monthly weekend foray to some more remote area. Members watch for sightings, then with the aid of the field guide and other clues seek to identify and name the species.

Experienced watchers demonstrate a keen sense of awareness when watching for birds. A movement in the trees, a sound from afar, these are vital clues to the expert. As birds in the wild tend to be rather difficult to view in full, bird watchers come to rely on certain features to aid in their identification. The flight pattern, wing shape, plumage and sounds are all helpful keys to unlocking the door of identity.

The mountain-slope regions provide a wealth of bird species to enjoy. Among some of the more striking native species are the Formosan Blue Magpie and the Muller's Barbet. About the same size as the common crow, the Formosan Blue Magpie is stunning in appearance with a black head, red beak and claws, and blue body plumage. Its long tail feathers make it particularly attractive in flight. The fusion of colors makes the smaller Muller's Barbet an eye-catching beauty. Its head is colored yellow, black, blue and red, while the body plumage is a rich green. It is also noted for its deep call, somewhat reminiscent of a buddhist chant. Its clear intonations ring through the forest, and are said to be audible for up to one kilometer. The higher mountain elevations are home to the family of birds that include such melodious songbirds as thrushes and babblers.

Bird watching not only provides the visual delights of admiring birds for their beauty and the joy of listening to their calls, it provides a chance to better understand the important contributions the bird has made to the world of natural ecology.

The historic study of birds in nature has provided some important insights. Charles Darwin's study of the various finch populations on the Galapagos Islands provided him with an important natural laboratory. The finches and their unusual adaptations to their island environments was the inspiration for his controversial theory on the role of natural selection and the survival of the fittest.

In more recent years birds have come to act as a barometer for the qualitative changes in the natural environment. This is especially true when discussing the effects of insecticides and pollution. Unable to break down the lethal toxins, birds often became sterile or produced thin-shelled eggs which did not hatch.

One of the more shocking statistics about the recent plight of birds is that it previously took on average some 500,000 years for one bird species to become extinct. But in 1978 the International Commission for Bird Protection stated that there were 425 species near extinction.

Like cogs in a machine, birds occupy a crucial niche in the greater web of the ecological system. Remove such a cog and the whole system is affected. This point is well illustrated in the following case from mainland China. Believing that the tree sparrow was merely a nuisance to grain crops there was a wholesale slaughter of the species. Once extinct it unleashed plagues of insects which in turn severely damaged crop harvests.

While man can alter the environment he cannot control it. Maintenance of the natural ecological balance is a must in order to survive.

Most people who live in the urban environment only understand the fine balance of the ecological world of nature through second-hand sources, such as books and pictures. The bird watcher on the other hand is a witness to the gradual pollution of the natural world and the inevitable encroachment of man's society into this realm. He takes the contemplative role of the person put into this wonderful natural setting. This wondrous experience is best summed in the words of Sheldon R. Severinghaus, a noted bird watcher on suddenly coming across the magnificent (and extremely rare) Swinhoe's Blue Pheasant. He states, "Standing proudly in front of me, his two eyes staring intently, his white comb rising erectly, my whole body trembled....."

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

Previous page: A flock of Little Terns flies along the coast. Three slightly larger, differently colored gulls fly among the group. Can you pick them out? 1. Snipes, with their long legs and bills, stand in the shallow waters feeding on the rich abundance of organisms in the mud. Pictured is the Black Tailed Snipe, a rarely seen winter migratory visitor to Taiwan. Two thirds of their silt-like legs are beneath the water. 2. A frequent sight along the rocky coastal areas, the Pacific Reef Egret.

1. A male Gray-chinned Minivet is similar in appearance to a hot red pepper. 2. The Common Kingfisher, also called the Ts'ui (green jade) bird in Chinese, is only 15 centimeters in size. Its bill is five centimeters long. This "venerable fisherman" is commonly seen near the banks of rivers and ponds.

1. In order to best photograph waterfowl you need a telephoto lens. 2. Members of the Wild Bird Society of Taipei meet once a month to exchange experiences. 3. Experienced watchers lead new members in bird watching forays. 4. Steers's Babbler, a species unique to Taiwan is usually seen in mountain forests above 900 meters in elevation. A yellow-orange "beauty mark" located between its eyes and beak is special feature of this species.

1. Perched among cherry blossoms, the Formosan Yuhina is another bird species unique to Taiwan. Found in mid-elevation regions, it has a whistlelike three note call. 2. The Chinese White-eye, with its soft green back and yellow head plumage is a delightful species frequenting city trees. Extremely small, it measures only 10 centimeters from its beak to its tail feathers.

1. An inhabitant of the rapidly diminishing lowland forest regions, the rare Maroon Oriole is one bird species that requires protection. 2. Commonly found in high mountain regions above 2,000 meters, the Formosan Laughing Thrush is another bird species unique to Taiwan. It has a total of four eyebrow feathers found above and below the eyes. 3. Standing in a flooded paddy of harvested rice, this snipe, despite its protective camouflage cannot fool experienced bird watchers.

1. Twice each year the Brown Shrike braves the elements journeying past southern Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula. Pictured is a female with captured insect in a melon patch. 2. The Pheasanttailed Jacana, with its large feet can easily maneuver itself across the aquatic vegetation. This male has just finished battling another Jacana. Fortunately his injured tail plumage will molt and be replaced by new feathers. 3. Swinhoe's Blue Pheasant, found only on Taiwan, prefers the shaded foliage of primitive forest areas. Man's rapid encroachment of its living environment coupled with its stunning beauty, which attracts poachers, has made this bird a highly endangered species.

1. Snipes, with their long legs and bills, stand in the shallow waters feeding on the rich abundance of organisms in the mud. Pictured is the Black Tailed Snipe, a rarely seen winter migratory visitor to Taiwan. Two thirds of their silt-like legs are beneath the water.

2. A frequent sight along the rocky coastal areas, the Pacific Reef Egret.

1. A male Gray-chinned Minivet is similar in appearance to a hot red pepper.

2. The Common Kingfisher, also called the Ts'ui （green jade） bird in Chinese, is only 15 centimeters in size. Its bill is five centimeters long. This "venerable fisherman" is commonly seen near the banks of rivers and ponds.

1. In order to best photograph waterfowl you need a telephoto lens.

2. Members of the Wild Bird Society of Taipei meet once a month to exchange experiences.

3. Experienced watchers lead new members in bird watching forays.

4. Steers's Babbler, a species unique to Taiwan is usually seen in mountain forests above 900 meters in elevation. A yellow-orange "beauty mark" located between its eyes and beak is special feature of this species.

1. Perched among cherry blossoms, the Formosan Yuhina is another bird species unique to Taiwan. Found in mid-elevation regions, it has a whistlelike three note call.

2. The Chinese White-eye, with its soft green back and yellow head plumage is a delightful species frequenting city trees. Extremely small, it measures only 10 centimeters from its beak to its tail feathers.

1. An inhabitant of the rapidly diminishing lowland forest regions, the rare Maroon Oriole is one bird species that requires protection.

2. Commonly found in high mountain regions above 2,000 meters, the Formosan Laughing Thrush is another bird species unique to Taiwan. It has a total of four eyebrow feathers found above and below the eyes.

3. Standing in a flooded paddy of harvested rice, this snipe, despite its protective camouflage cannot fool experienced bird watchers.

1. Twice each year the Brown Shrike braves the elements journeying past southern Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula. Pictured is a female with captured insect in a melon patch.

2. The Pheasanttailed Jacana, with its large feet can easily maneuver itself across the aquatic vegetation. This male has just finished battling another Jacana. Fortunately his injured tail plumage will molt and be replaced by new feathers.

3. Swinhoe's Blue Pheasant, found only on Taiwan, prefers the shaded foliage of primitive forest areas. Man's rapid encroachment of its living environment coupled with its stunning beauty, which attracts poachers, has made this bird a highly endangered species.