Garrulax taewanus

The Taiwan Hwamei is a passerine bird in the Old World babbler family, Timaliidae. It is endemic to the island of Taiwan. It was formerly regarded as a subspecies of the Chinese Hwamei but has recently been split as a separate species. It is estimated to have diverged from the Chinese Hwamei about 1.5 million years ago. The two were formerly placed in the genus Garrulax with the other laughingthrushes but have recently been moved to a new genus Leucodioptron.

The Garrulax taewanus is classified as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

The hybirdization between Garrulax taewanus announced to be a protected species, and Garrulax canorus is far worse than experienced by Urocissa caerulea. “Hybrid” worries remove protection In July 2007, 3 babies of Urocissa caerulea Gould and Urocissa erythrorhyncha were found in Taichung, proving the possibility for the two to hybridize. Once urocissa erythrorhyncha in the wild adapts to the natural environment, it will be worse. Fortunately the species has not formed a stable population and these three babies should be only a single case, indicates Yao. More

Range & population Garrulax taewanus is endemic to Taiwan (to China), where it is fairly common. It was recently split from the widespread Chinese Hwamei G. canorum. There is uncertainty regarding the population size, with estimates ranging from 1,0001 to over 10,0002 individuals. Ecology: It occurs in secondary vegetation in foothill and submontane Ficus - Machilus and Machilus - Castanopsis zones, to 1,200 m. It forages for insects and small seeds singly, in pairs or small groups in the understory. More

* Garrulax taewanus is split from Garrulax canorus by Collar 2006 (as noted in the IOC World List 2.0 ). * No mention of systematic considerations concerning this taxon is made in H&M 3rd, through Corrigenda 8 (late 2008). 2009.02. More