Sichuan is famous to the world for its mouthwatering cuisine. Who has never had Kung Pao Chicken or Sichuan Hot Pot without ever stepping one foot into the province? Apart from its lip-smacking dishes, Sichuan has loads of things for backpackers. It is also a holy land for people practicing Taoism and Buddhism. The ancient history of Chengdu and other places cannot be overlooked, either. Apart from all these, another golden feather in its crown has to do with bird watching. The southwestern region is thriving with breathtaking scenery and barely-discovered land. This fact attracts an array of birdies to the province.
The tour starts from Chengdu which is one of the ancient cities in the country. There is an abundance of special environmental areas. Due to the impressive geographical location, the capital of Sichuan has become much beloved among the travelers. When the migration period approaches, the city starts to welcome numerous tourists. At this time, black throat remains to be the center of attraction. After Chengdu, the Sichuan birding tours take you to different places. And with the different places, you are exposed to the opportunity of various birdies. Read the rest of the article to know which birds you will be identifying during the trip in Sichuan.
Tawny Fish Owl
During your Sichuan tour, the tawny fish owl is found in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve. The basic way to spot the bird is by its horizontal ear-tuffs. Considering its name, the birdie loves to capture fish. The way the owl swoops down to the river or lake for its prey, it is a delight to watch. Moreover, they like to wait and watch over the water. A tawny fish owl’s habitat preference includes the abandoned nests of eagles and raptors in the breeding season. If you are near stream banks, temperate forests, or subtropical swamps, try to spot a cat-like ‘meow’ sound. Who could have thought that an owl and a cat have similarities, after all? To confirm your finding, check for a crown, pale grey bill, and greenish-yellow feet.
Collared Finchbill
While traversing through Sichuan, you need to visit Chengdu Botanical Garden. There, you will notice collared finchbill. It is a songbird belonging to the bulbul family. Collared finchbill usually likes to dwell in the moderate elevation. So, open woodland and brush-covered ravines are the perfect habitats. This type of bulbul is mainly residential. Hence, you don’t have to worry about their migratory season. For food, they mainly rely on field bugs, berry seeds, and other fruits. If you want to get the detection done by yourself, look around for blackish-grey head. As you will be traveling in a group, don’t forget to remember the alternate names – Chinese finchbill, black-headed finchbill, and Swinhoe’s finch-billed bulbul.
Indian Blue Robin
Found in Xiangling Mountain, Indian blue robin is a small migratory bird. It has blue-throat and the male robin has blue upperparts. Now, you can guess where the name comes from. Again, the adult female robins have olive brown feathers. The little birds come with dark brown spots. In the breeding season, the adult birds stay in the dense undergrowth bushes and moist closed forests. At this time, the male robins keep whistling rapidly from deep cover. Currently, Indian blue robin has a low density of population but is not enlisted under endangered.
The other parts of China including Elangshan, Baoxing, and Rilong are perfect for birding. There you will get to spot Daurian redstart, Kessler’s thrush, streaked barwing, and many more. So, what are you waiting for? Get the tickets for bird watching in China now!
Author bio: Denise Chen is a travel blogger who has been writing articles on how to plan for bird watching in China. Here, she talks about a few birds that you are definitely going to spot during your much-anticipated Sichuan birding tours.
