• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2001 baseline)
Extent of this site: comprised of S. Tiechen, Touchin, and Houdizai Islets. S. Tiechen and Touchin Islets are located among Wangan, Shi, and Ping Islets; Houdizai Islet is to the south of Chiangjun Islet. S. Tiechen Islet is formed by 2 wave-eroded plateaus, a large and a small one, perched on a wave-eroded terrace. The rocky islet is covered with hard volcanic breccia. The tops of the plateaus are the main roosting sites for Greater Crested Tern in summer. Touchin Islet is formed from more than 10 coral reefs and 1 main islet. Looking at the island from the north, it looks like a turban which gives it its name (touchin meaning turban). The islet being surrounded by cliffs makes it very difficult for humans to climb up on it, and it has become an activity area for many species of gulls and terns, especially the Greater Crested and Bridled Terns. Houdizai Islet is formed from columnar, slabs, and porous basalts. On the north side, on the wave-eroded terrace, is a sand beach. Clumps of grass dominate this flat islet. Formosan Peacock-plume Chioris formosana, Zoysia matrella, Ipomoea obscura, and Lalang Grass Imperata cylindrica are the dominant species. Low stone walls and a fort made of basalt are found in this islet, so it is believed that this area was formally used as farms and a military station.

Key biodiversity
IBA A4iii Criterion Species: a variety of gulls and terns that breed here in summer. • In summer, many Roseate Terns breed and roost on Houdizai Islet. The average count is 600-800 birds. In June 1998, a maximum of 1,000 was seen. Greater Crested Terns mainly roost on S. Tiechen and Touchin Islets. The number of birds during breeding season is about 200. Bridled Terns on Touchin Islet number less than 1,000, but at least 400-500. • In addition to these 3 common terns, 19 other species have been recorded. Six are protected species: Little Tern, Bridled Tern, Black-naped Tern, Eastern Collared Pratincole, Brown Noddy, and Brown Shrike.

Non-bird biodiversity: • The Green Turtle Chelonia mydas japonica is an endangered protected species found in this area.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Southern Sea Islets (Taiwan, China). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/southern-sea-islets-iba-taiwan-china on 23/11/2024.