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Liocichla steerii (黃胸藪眉)

Scientific Name: Liocichla steerii
Common Name: Steere's Liocichla
Chinese name: 黃胸藪眉

 

~~ Introduction ~~
Steere’s Liocichla is endemic to Taiwan. Its general distribution is in mountainous areas from 900 to 2600 meters. It mainly keeps to the undergrowth of trees and shrubs. It is often found among shrubbery or on the forest floor. Food includes fruits, insects and small soil-dwelling insects. Breeding season is from March to July. This species has a gentle but resonant call. One of this species’ identifying marks is a bright yellow patch between the eye and bill.

~~ Morphological Characteristics~~
Steere’s Liocichla possesses a yellow forehead and ash gray crown and nape. There is a bright yellow patch between the eye and bill. The scapulars and back are olive colored. The rump is ash gray. The uppertail coverts are olive yellow. The neck and upper breast are ash gray. The lower breast and abdomen are olive yellow. The lower abdomen and legs are ash colored. The undertail coverts are black with orange tips. The bill and feet are dark black. 

Total length: 170 mm
Bill length: 12~13 mm
Wing length: 68~78 mm
Tail length: 72~84 mm
 
~~ Taxonomic Studies ~~
Author: Swinhoe
Year of publication: 1877
Person credited with discovery: Joseph Beal Steere
Date of discovery: 1873-1874
Reference: Swinhoe,R. 1877. On a new bird from Formosa. Ibis 1877:474。
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Scientific name changes: None
 

~~ Features ~~
Steere's liocichlas are larger than sparrows. They can be found in bushes around the edge of forests, often in small groups of 3-5 birds. Sometimes they wander around on forest service roads or trails in the woods. They often forage in bushes or on forest floor for insects or pick worms in the soil. They breed between March and July. Their nests are built in bushes or pampas grass, about one meter from the ground. Nest materials include moss, grass, flower clusters and thin grass roots. The nests are bowl-shaped, 120-150mm wide and 70-85mm tall with a diameter of 50-70mm and a depth of 40-55mm. The eggs are 25x18mm in average, oval in shape, pale blue green in color and with brown markings. There are usually 2-4 eggs in one nest.

Habitat:
Steere's liocichlas are endemic to Taiwan and commonly found in mountain areas at altitudes around 900-2,600m. They mainly inhabit bushes in thick forests and shrubs in plantations.
 

 

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