Bird Watching

Bird watching is a popular activity in Taiwan, which is home to several species of birds, inhabiting over 300 islets of the country. Moreover, being an isolated island, Taiwan is a perfect destination for several endemic and sub endemic bird species.

On the west coast, there are wetland areas where numerous migratory birds of north-south transit route halt for some time. Few birds that can easily be seen in Taiwan are Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes, Chinese Crested Tern Sterna Bernsteini and Saunders's Gull Larus Saundersi, among others.

Other birds that can be spotted in the country are Steere's Liocichla, Melodious Laughing Thrush, Malayan Night Heron, Gorsachius Melanolophus and Fairy Pitta nympha. The Yilan Swamplands near Lanyang River as well as Wusheijia and Wuweigang are other popular bird watching spots.

Kenting National Park is another popular bird spotting area, where one can spot Grey Frog Hawk and Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle. Cigu Marsh is known for spotting migrating black-faced spoonbills.

Mt. Hohuan and Penghu also attract bird watchers. The best time for spotting birds in Taiwan is during winter that starts from October and lasts till March. However, at Mt. Hohuan, birds can be seen during the months of the June and July.