Skip to main content

Little Forktail

The Little Forktail is a small black and white bird seen mostly in montane rivers and streams. Its head, back, and wings are black, while the most obvious characteristic is the high and white forehead. It mainly feeds on insect larvae and other small insects. It prefers fast-flowing streams and is often seen near waterfalls.


When I started birding, I always wanted to see the Little Forktail and I pestered my father to bring me to places where it had been reported before. After getting skunked time and time again, the agonizing wait continued. Finally, last year when the whole family went for our yearly New Year’s trip to Ali Village, I finally saw it. One morning, when my dad and I were returning from our usual morning birding stroll, as I was looking far off into space, my dad’s excited shout pulled me back to reality. There on a little waterfall were two cute black and white birds jumping around. I knew immediately what they were, Little Forktails.


I had finally seen them where I least expected to, after years of eager searching. After that, I saw them two more times in the same month, like they had been a part of my usual birding checklists all along. It is usually like this in my birding adventures; after waiting for a long time, I finally see my dream bird, and suddenly it’s like it’s everywhere.


What I love about the Little Forktail is that it is super cute and full of energy, but really, I love all river birds, maybe because I see them in places of undeveloped places of spectacular beauty. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Daxueshan

A Swinhoe's Pheasant If anyone ever were to ask: "What's your favorite birding spot in Taiwan?" I think I would have a lot of trouble answering the question succinctly, but Daxueshan would definitely be near the top of the list. I have only been there a few times, but every time I go there, it never ceases to amaze me. It is unique in that it has very diverse flora and fauna and with a road stretching from sea level to nearly 2500 meters, you can see lowland birds all the way up to alpine forest birds. The forest road going up Daxueshan is 50 kilometers long and there are birding spots all up and down its length.  A Collared Bush-Robin Daxueshan is renown for being the most reliable place to see nearly all of Taiwan's endemic bird species, including the Mikado Pheasant, Taiwan's national bird. It is a deep, rich blue and has the typically long tail of a pheasant, but unfortunately, I have only ever seen the duller, brownish female. Since almost all other endem...
1 comment
Read more

Kenting Raptor Migration

Crested Serpent-Eagle Every October, my family travels south to Kenting (in Pingtung) on the national Day of Taiwan. We visit for the purpose of seeing the breath-taking migration of raptors - thousands upon thousands - journeying to their wintering grounds. Because Taiwan is a key rest stop for birds, there are many places to observe this particular migration.  A kettle of raptors Of all the migrating raptors, the Grey-faced Buzzard and the Chinese Sparrowhawk are the ones that are the most abundant. Hundreds of thousands pass through Taiwan every year. The Grey-faced Buzzard is a medium-sized raptor, with a mouse-gray face, a black-tipped beak, a very obvious throat streak, brownish wings, horizontal streaking in the underbody, and bright orange talons. The Chinese Sparrowhawk on the other hand is much smaller in size, has a blueish-gray back and head, and black-tipped wings. Adults lack a throat streak, whereas juveniles have one. Grey-faced Buzzard This year we had a slight...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Windbreak Forest

The windbreak forest in Tainan is one of my favorite birding spots to visit, especially during the fall and spring migration. The windbreak forest is located in Qigu, right next to the ocean. Its main purpose is to stop strong sea winds and sand from blowing futher inland. The forest is mainly composed of beefwood trees, which look similar to conifers. The windbreak forest is typically a short rest-stop for migrating birds. This makes it equal parts frustrating and rewarding, because when I hear of an exotic bird reported there, it is often gone by the time I have a chance to check. However, sometimes I get lucky and see some lifers there. Ashy Minivet Some common birds found there are Pale Thrush, Brown-headed Thrush, Black-faced Bunting, Manchurian Bush-warbler, Oriental Magpie-robin, and White’s Thrush. Some more exotic birds that I’ve seen there include Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher, and Red-flanked Bluetail. Pechora Pipit I usua...
Post a Comment
Read more