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

Justification of Red List category
This recently split species has been classified as Near Threatened because within its moderately small range it probably has a small population, which is inferred to be undergoing a moderately rapid decline owing largely to hybridisation with the introduced Chinese Hwamei G. canorum. It almost qualifies for a threatened listing under criteria A2e+3e+4e;B1ab(iii,v);C1+2a(ii).

Population justification
The global population is estimated to number more than 10,000 individuals (Simba Chan in litt 2007), roughly equivalent to c.6,700 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be declining owing to genetic swamping through hybridisation with the introduced Chinese Hwamei G. canorum.

Garrulax taewanus is endemic to Taiwan (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 1,000 (Y. Cheng-te in litt. 2007) to over 10,000 (S. Chan in litt. 2007) individuals.

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. It breeds between March and August.

The primary threat is genetic swamping through hybridisation with the introduced Chinese Hwanmei G. canorum, which is illegally imported as a cage bird, due to its beautiful song. Birds which have lost their vocal capacity are released, and a recent study found that 20% of hwamei in a wild state in Taiwan are hybrids (Y. Cheng-te in litt. 2007, S. Chan in litt. 2007). Since it is a lowland species habitat loss for agriculture and infrastructure development poses an additional threat.

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Effectively prevent the import of G. canorum. Actively discourage the release of G. canorum. Monitor the proportion of pure G. taewanus in the population. Research its habitat requirements and tolerance of degraded habitats. Protect large areas of suitable habitat at sites where it is known to occur.

Identification. Approximately 24 cm long. Mainly grey-brown with heavy streaks on the crown, nape and back; fine streaks on underparts. Similar species. Chinese Hawemei which is more rufous in colour and less heavily streaked. Voice. long, melodius and varied.

Text account compilers
Mahood, S., Taylor, J. & Ashpole, J

Contributors
Chan, S., Cheng-te, Y., Fang, W. & Severinghaus, L.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Taiwan Hwamei Garrulax taewanus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/taiwan-hwamei-garrulax-taewanus on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.