SOUTHWEST CHINA TOUR REPORT 2026

27 January - 12 February 2026

Craig Robson

This new tour, one of the first of its kind, focussed significantly on some of China’s most renowned bird hides, in Hainan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. It proved to be a great success, and a remarkable experience, allowing as it did, some incredible views of an amazing and dazzling selection of Chinese, Sino-Himalayan and other bird specialities.

Highlights amongst the long list of at least 108 “diamond” birds, not all of which were seen at hides of course, included Rufous-throated, Hainan and White-cheeked Partridges, Lady Amherst’s, Silver, Hainan Peacock- and Grey Peacock-Pheasants, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Ibisbill, River Tern, Black-faced Spoonbill, Himalayan Owl, Chinese Barbet, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Blue-naped Pitta, Ratchet-tailed and Collared Treepies, Indochinese Green and White-winged Magpies, Black-bibbed Tit, Limestone, Hartert’s and Hainan Leaf Warblers, Rufous-tailed Babbler, Spectacled, White-browed and Manipur Fulvettas, Rufous-headed, Pale-billed and Eye-ringed Parrotbills, White-collared Yuhina, Bar-winged and Grey-bellied Wren-Babblers, Slender-billed and Black-streaked Scimitar Babblers, Nonggang Babbler, Dusky, Nepal and Huet’s Fulvettas, Scaly, Blue-winged, Elliot’s, Red-tailed, Spot-breasted, Rufous-cheeked, Moustached, Spotted, White-spectacled, and Hainan (or Black-throated) Laughingthrushes, Beautiful, Grey and Black-headed Sibias, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Yellow-billed and Yunnan Nuthatches, Spotted Elachura, Burmese and Collared Mynas, Long-tailed, Sichuan, Black-breasted and Japanese Thrushes, White-tailed, White-gorgeted and Pale Blue Flycatchers, Rufous-tailed Robin, Himalayan Shortwing, Himalayan Bluetail, White-browed Bush Robin, Maroon-backed Accentor, Scarlet Finch, Sharpe’s and Vinaceous Rosefinches, Crimson-browed Finch, Grey-headed Bullfinch and Yellow-throated Bunting. Mammal sightings were restricted to smaller stuff, but included Yellow-throated Marten, and Anderson’s and Red-hipped Squirrels.

We all met up, along with local guide David Qian, at our hotel at Sanya International Airport, Hainan. Early the following morning we checked-out and made the relatively shortish drive to Jianfengling National Forest Park in the forested hills towards the south-west of this sub-tropical island. Two nights based at the reserve were sufficient for us to track-down all of our targets here, most of which showed well during our long stints in two different hides. Being relatively comfortable, and with a lot of action to keep us busy, it was not difficult to spend many hours waiting for the goodies, and we were also able to have lunch brought to us. Endemic galliforms were the primary focus, with Hainan Partridge and Hainan Peacock-Pheasant both giving stunning views, although the former kept us on tenterhooks well into the afternoon. Other crowd-pleasers included the stunning Silver Pheasant, splittable local forms of Black-throated and Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrushes (particularly the former, as Hainan Laughingthrush), superb Indochinese Green Magpies, Dusky Fulvetta, Large Scimitar Babbler, and Rufous-tailed Robins. Away from the hides, we walked a number of roadsides, where we found the glowing endemic Hainan Leaf Warbler, as well as more widespread South China specialities in the form of Chinese Barbet, Hartert’s Leaf Warbler, and Huet’s Fulvetta, and the likes of Collared Owlet, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Chestnut Bulbul, Sultan Tit, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Spot-necked Babbler, Pale Blue Flycatcher, and Fork-tailed Sunbird. Calling-in at some coastal pools on the way back to the airport, we were also able to see a flock of 60 or so wintering Black-faced Spoonbills, as well as a rather distant White-faced Plover, amongst a selection of nice shorebirds. After a short internal flight, we arrived at Nanning in Guizhou, where stayed overnight at a comfortable hotel.

Well before dawn we embarked on the drive down to the Nonggang area, close to the Vietnamese border, where we spent the following two nights. Our main target here, amongst the impressive limestone outcrops, was the quite recently discovered Nonggang Babbler, a close relative of the similar-looking Sooty Babbler of the Annamite limestone in Laos and Vietnam. A feeding area had been developed in recent years for the babbler, but we had heard that the birds had not been coming regularly for some eight months. Fortunately these stories turned out to be inaccurate, and we soon received word that the babblers were at the feeding spot. Reaching the site asap, we were soon enjoying some nice close views of these great little babblers. We also visited two other feeding stations. The first had been developed for White-winged Magpies, a remarkable achievement, and we did not have to wait too long before a group of three birds alighted on branches in front of us to feast on chunks of meat, whilst Silver Pheasant and Red Junglefowl came to grain. The next morning, after bagging the localised Limestone Leaf Warbler, we spent many hours in a hide waiting for Blue-rumped Pitta. The bird called very close, quite early on, but we were out of luck with this one, and it never came in. We made do with Black-throated Laughingthrush, Siberian Rubythroat, Rufous-tailed Robin, Red-flanked Bluetail, and Fork-tailed Sunbird. Other Nonggang highlights included Puff-throated Bulbul and David’s Fulvetta. We returned to Nanning.

The next day saw us fly to Tengchong in West Yunnan via Chengdu. From the airport we continued south-west to Yingjiang, where the Daying River, on the outskirts of town, was our only birding stop of the day. A good range of species included Indian Spot-billed Duck, Small Pratincole, the “Vulnerable” and declining River Tern, our first Grey-throated Martens, two flyby flocks of Collared Mynas, Citrine Wagtail, and Little Buntings.

Another early start was required to reach the Husa area, where we hoped to find the restricted-range and seldom seen Grey-bellied Wren-Babbler. Fortunately for us, it didn’t prove too difficult, although a little patience was required before we all obtained good views. Also of interest in this area were our first Striated Bulbuls, Grey Sibias, Sichuan Leaf Warblers, Yunnan Fulvettas, and Himalayan Bluetails, as well as our only Chinese Leaf Warbler of the tour.

We continued to Tongbiguan, where we had lunch, and then onwards again to Nabang on the Myanmar border for a one-night stay. A couple of birding stops en route produced flight views of Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Crested Finchbill, Buff-throated Warbler, and Mrs Gould’s Sunbird. At Nabang itself, late afternoon birding was excellent, with an unexpected pair of Ibisbills along the river, River Lapwing, a flyover pair of Wreathed Hornbills, Wire-tailed Swallow, Indian Pied Starling, and Burmese, Collared and Great Mynas.

Retracing our steps somewhat the next morning, we revisited one of the previous afternoons stops. It was a little hard-going due to the depth of the valley and late sunrise, but we did get good views of Grey-sided Bush Warbler and Slaty-blue Flycatcher, along with our first Rusty-fronted Barwings. After lunch and some police station formalities we reached the Hongbenghe area, where we went directly to one of the best bird hides. During the following four hours we were treated to some superb views of an amazing range ‘Eastern Himalayan’ and other regional specialities, including White-cheeked Partridge, Short-billed Minivet, Collared Treepie, Rufous-headed and Pale-billed Parrotbills, White-hooded Babbler, Striated Yuhina, Brown-crowned and Red-billed Scimitar Babblers, White-throated Bulbul, Long-tailed Sibia, encouragingly large numbers of Silver-eared Mesias, Lesser and Greater Necklaced Laughingthrushes side-by-side, Large and Rufous-bellied Niltavas, and Hill Blue Flycatcher. Stretching our legs along the road afterwards, we enjoyed some neat Collared Falconets, while a calling Sapphire Flycatcher frustratingly remained out of sight. We continued to our accommodation, where we were to spend the next three nights.

Our first day at Hongbenghe consisted of six to seven hours spent between two of the main hides, and some downhill roadside birding. As expected, the hides produced some great sightings, with Kalij Pheasant, a number of presumed Kalij x Silver Pheasant hybrids, male and female Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Grey-backed Shrike, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Grey-bellied Tesia, Streaked Wren-Babbler, Brown-cheeked and Nepal Fulvettas, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Black-breasted Thrush, Small Niltava, and Streaked Spiderhunter. Along the road, we found Red-headed Trogon, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, Sultan Tit, Two-barred Warbler, Spotted Forktail, and Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush.

On day two, we moved up to the higher elevation hides near Shiti Village. Temperatures were significantly lower at dawn and, as soon as we had bums on seats in the first hide, we were treated to wonderful views of another amazing selection of avian megas, frantically feeding before us. A pair of uncharacteristically showy Spot-breasted Laughingthrushes stole the limelight, but were supported by tour-additions like Blue-winged Laughingthrush (normally a skulker also), stunning Red-tailed Laughingthrushes and Scarlet-faced Liocichlas, Rufous-backed Sibia, Grey-winged Blackbird, a marvellous White-crowned and Slaty-backed Forktails, and Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher. A brief walk along the road, traversing bamboo-clad gullies, brought us a Spotted Elachura, before we moved on to our next hide. Here we had a bit of a wait, with many of the group admittedly starting to nod-off, before the star of the show, a male Blue-naped Pitta, put in his appearance, along with another Grey Peacock-Pheasant. A male White-tailed Flycatcher was also noteworthy. Back along the roads and tracks, a pair of Jerdon’s Bazas circled low overhead, and we enjoyed a congregation of no fewer than 13 Collared Falconets.

A couple of hours were still at our disposal on our last morning, so we returned to Shiti and birded on foot, as well as making a few stops on the way back down the hill. A performing Pale-headed Woodpecker was one of the main highlights, but we also had a neat pair of Crested Treeswifts, Oriental Hobby, Davison’s Leaf Warbler, and more views of Rufous-headed and Pale-billed Parrotbills. It was soon time to head-off to Baihualing for another three-night stay, the final destination of the main-tour. On the way we made time to search for the tricky Brown-winged Parrotbill, visiting several sites along the Longchuan River, north-east of Tengchong. Despite a very concerted effort, we frustratingly drew a blank with the parrotbill, instead being consoled with Long-billed Plover, Alpine (or apparently now Tickell’s) Leaf Warbler, and White-browed Laughingthrush, amongst a range of more widespread tour additions. We arrived quite late at Baihualing, after dinner en route.

Baihualing has the most established and long-running bird hides in Yunnan, and we were excited to get to the first one that we had booked for the morning. Significantly colder now, at even higher and more northerly levels, we wrapped-up well. The hide owner did his stuff, putting out various foods, hanging strings of apples from wires and the like. Soon the viewing area was alive with birds. Our third Arborophila partridge of the tour, Rufous-throated, was joined by Yellow-cheeked Tit, Pygmy Cupwing, Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler, Rusty-capped and Yunnan Fulvettas, Himalayan Shortwing, Blue-fronted Redstart, and Vinaceous Rosefinch; while the apples attracted Great, Golden-throated and Blue-throated Barbets, Crested Finchbills, and Black-headed Sibias. Moving to another hide, we had stunning views of the marvellous Scaly Laughingthrush, as well as Beautiful Sibia, and Long-tailed Thrush. The latter part of the afternoon was spent exploring lower elevations, with no real stand-out birds.

Another well-known hide was our destination the next morning, and it supported even more birds. The unique Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler was likely appreciated the most, but there was a strong supporting cast, with Scaly-breasted Cupwing, at least 12 Red-tailed Laughingthrushes, our only Assam Laughingthrushes of the tour, Blue-winged and Red-tailed Minlas, no fewer than 18 Black-breasted Thrushes, a single Japanese Thrush, and White-gorgeted Flycatcher. After lunch we decided to walk around the Hotspring Loop, for fresh scenery and a chance to stretch our legs. It proved to be a great choice. First we lucked-in on a small group of Scarlet Finches and then, right at the far end of the loop by some honeycombs on a cliff-face, we manged to spot the scarce Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. Chestnut-headed Tesia was also seen well, as were both Little and Spotted Forktails.

The main tour ended late the following morning, when we arrived at Dali Airport, and dropped off one of the group members. Continuing on with the post-tour extension, we drove via the east side of Erhai Lake, to the Shangri Xionggu Scenic Area, west of Lijiang. It was still rather too hot surprisingly, but a walk through the pinewoods soon turned-up the endemic Yunnan Nuthatch and Rufous-tailed Babbler, as well as lots of Black-browed Bushtits. Moving on down to the banks of the Yangtze River, we began searching for the localised Eye-ringed Parrotbill (formerly lumped in Brown-winged). Despite the rather windy conditions, it wasn’t too long before the species was found in a sheltered spot, and we enjoyed a magical encounter with a crazy flock of around 70 birds. With nightfall approaching, we headed inland to our secluded lodge near Liju, where we were booked-in for a two-night stay.

The next morning we met up with local ranger and bird enthusiast Mr. Qian, who led us up to a nearby hamlet, and then along a narrow trail to one of his feeding spots. Along the way, our first Black-bibbed Tits, Spectacled Fulvettas and White-collared Yuhinas were bagged. After a very short wait at his spot, a pair each of the scarce Moustached, as well as commoner Elliot’s Laughingthrush appeared, were joined by a nice female-type White-browed Bush Robin and both White-browed and Manipur Fulvettas, and gave excellent views. We then changed location to another site, where Mr. Qian’s friendly laughingthrushes performed without even the need for a hide. The birds know him so well that they just gather around when he appears. A large flock of perhaps 30 laughingthrushes included the rare White-speckled (or Biet’s) as well as the stunning Spotted, a few Elliot’s, and a lot of Black-faced’s. Nearby we also enjoyed Maroon-backed and Rufous-breasted Accentors, Sharpe’s Rosefinch, and Yellow-throated Bunting. After lunch we were taken along a secluded track into a narrow valley where we were shown a pair of cracking Bar-winged Wren-Babblers at close range. Patches of bamboo harboured a flock of glowing Golden-breasted Fulvettas, we found two wintering Sichuan Thrushes, a localised and often hard to find Chinese endemic, and we also added Green Shrike-Babbler, double figures of Crimson-browed Finches, and a nice group of Grey-headed Bullfinches. Some of us were lucky enough to get a brief look at a male Lady Amherst’s Pheasant that slipped upslope.

Our final morning of the tour was spent exploring more valleys in this  wonderfully scenic area. There were no major surprises but some nice birds, including another Lady Amherst’s Pheasant briefly, Speckled Piculet, Necklaced Woodpecker, Yellow-browed and Black-bibbed Tits, more Golden-breasted Fulvettas, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Spotted and White-speckled Laughingthrushes, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Brown Dipper, and Godlewski’s Bunting. Two Himalayan Owls were heard calling predawn, and we were able to get good views of one in the spotlight.

As the tour drew to a close, we drove to Lijiang and then onwards to the airport, reflecting back on a most enjoyable trip.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR
The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows AviList v2025 (AviList Core Team. 2025. AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025).
Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g. only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species.

The definition “Endemic” refers to China.

Ruddy Shelduck  Tadorna ferruginea

Common Merganser  Mergus merganser

Northern Shoveler  Spatula clypeata

Indian Spot-billed Duck  Anas poecilorhyncha   Good numbers loafing at the Daying River, Yingjiang, Yunnan.

Mallard  Anas platyrhynchos   Non-leader.

Green-winged Teal (Eurasian T) Anas crecca

Rufous-throated Partridge ◊  Arborophila rufogularis   Good views at two hides near Baihualing, Yunnan.

Hainan Partridge ◊  Arborophila ardens   Endemic. A wonderful encounter with a group of six at Jianfengling.

White-cheeked Partridge ◊  Arborophila atrogularis   Seen at two hides at Hongbenghe – great views.

Lady Amherst’s Pheasant ◊  Chrysolophus amherstiae   Two males seen rather too briefly near Liju, Yunnan.

Kalij Pheasant  Lophura leucomelanos   Two or three males at Hongbenghe (lathami).

Silver Pheasant ◊  Lophura nycthemera   7 seen nicely at Jianfengling (whiteheadi) & 5 at Nonggang (nominate).

Kalij x Silver Pheasant (hybrid) Lophura leucomelanos x nycthemera   Small numbers at Hongbenghe-Shiti.

Hainan Peacock-Pheasant ◊  Polyplectron katsumatae   Endemic. 4-5 at Jianfengling, incl. 2 chicks.

Grey Peacock-Pheasant ◊  Polyplectron bicalcaratum   At least three seen and a handful heard, in W Yunnan.

Mountain Bamboo Partridge ◊  Bambusicola fytchii   Four flushed along a trail near Tongbiguan, W Yunnan.

Red Junglefowl  Gallus gallus

Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis

Greater Coucal  Centropus sinensis

Banded Bay Cuckoo  Cacomantis sonneratii   Heard-only.

Barred Cuckoo-Dove  Macropygia unchall   Heard-only.

Spotted Dove  Spilopelia chinensis

Oriental Turtle Dove  Streptopelia orientalis

Rock Dove (feral)  Columba livia

Common Emerald Dove  Chalcophaps indica

Thick-billed Green Pigeon  Treron curvirostra

Pin-tailed Green Pigeon  Treron apicauda   One at Shiti; leader only.

Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon  Treron sphenurus   Heard-only.

Mountain Imperial Pigeon  Ducula badia

Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus   Non-leader.

Eurasian Coot  Fulica atra

White-breasted Waterhen  Amaurornis phoenicurus

Black-winged Stilt  Himantopus himantopus

Ibisbill ◊  Ibidorhyncha struthersii   A presumed pair along the river at Nabang, always a nice surprise.

Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola   Non-leader.

Pacific Golden Plover  Pluvialis fulva

Long-billed Plover  Thinornis placidus   Three seen well at Longchuan Rafting Area.

Little Ringed Plover  Thinornis dubius

River Lapwing  Vanellus duvaucelii

Red-wattled Lapwing  Vanellus indicus

Tibetan Sand Plover  Anarhynchus atrifrons

White-faced Plover ◊  Anarhynchus dealbatus   A single, rather distant bird at Yinggehai Saltpans, Hainan.

Kentish Plover  Anarhynchus alexandrinus

Black-tailed Godwit (Eastern B-t G)  Limosa [limosa] melanuroides

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos

Green Sandpiper  Tringa ochropus

Marsh Sandpiper  Tringa stagnatilis

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola

Spotted Redshank  Tringa erythropus

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia

Red-necked Stint  Calidris ruficollis

Temminck’s Stint  Calidris temminckii

Long-toed Stint  Calidris subminuta

Small Pratincole  Glareola lactea   Just a single flyby at the Daying River.

River Tern ◊  Sterna aurantia   Great flight views of a smart adult at the Daying River.

Great Cormorant  Phalacrocorax carbo

Eurasian Spoonbill  Platalea leucorodia   One with the next species.

Black-faced Spoonbill ◊  Platalea minor   A wintering flock of at least 60 birds at Yinggehai Saltpans.

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Little Heron  Butorides atricapilla

Chinese Pond Heron  Ardeola bacchus

Great Egret  Ardea alba

Eastern Cattle Egret  Ardea coromanda

Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea

Crested Treeswift  Hemiprocne coronata

Asian Palm Swift  Cypsiurus balasiensis

House Swift  Apus nipalensis

Himalayan Swiftlet  Aerodramus brevirostris

Brown Boobook  Ninox scutulata   Heard-only.

Collared Owlet  Taenioptynx brodiei

Asian Barred Owlet  Glaucidium cuculoides

Mountain Scops Owl  Otus spilocephalus   Heard-only.

Collared Scops Owl  Otus lettia   Heard-only.

Himalayan Owl  Strix nivicolum   One of two calling birds showed surprisingly well near Liju, Yunnan.

Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus

Jerdon’s Baza ◊  Aviceda jerdoni   A pair circled close overhead at Shiti.

Crested Honey Buzzard  Pernis ptilorhynchus

Crested Serpent Eagle  Spilornis cheela

Mountain Hawk-Eagle  Nisaetus nipalensis

Crested Goshawk  Lophospiza trivirgata

Shikra  Tachyspiza badia

Black Kite (Black-eared K)  Milvus [migrans] lineatus

Eastern Buzzard  Buteo japonicus

Red-headed Trogon  Harpactes erythrocephalus

Wreathed Hornbill  Rhyticeros undulatus

Blue-bearded Bee-eater  Nyctyornis athertoni

Asian Green Bee-eater  Merops orientalis

Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis

Pied Kingfisher  Ceryle rudis

White-throated Kingfisher  Halcyon smyrnensis

Coppersmith Barbet  Psilopogon haemacephalus

Blue-eared Barbet  Psilopogon cyanotis

Great Barbet  Psilopogon virens

Golden-throated Barbet  Psilopogon franklinii

Chinese Barbet ◊  Psilopogon faber   Endemic. Common on Hainan, with several seen well (nominate).

Blue-throated Barbet  Psilopogon asiaticus

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide ◊  Indicator xanthonotus   A nice bonus-bird along the Hotspring Loop at Baihualing.

Speckled Piculet  Picumnus innominatus

Lesser Yellownape  Picus chlorolophus

Grey-headed Woodpecker  Picus canus

Greater Yellownape  Chrysophlegma flavinucha

Bay Woodpecker  Blythipicus pyrrhotis

Pale-headed Woodpecker ◊  Gecinulus grantia   A couple seen in the bamboo at Shiti.

Greater Flameback  Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker  Yungipicus canicapillus

Stripe-breasted Woodpecker ◊  Dendrocopos atratus   One seen well near Hongbenghe.

Great Spotted Woodpecker  Dendrocopos major   Non-leader.

Necklaced Woodpecker ◊  Dryobates pernyii   Just one near Liju.

Collared Falconet  Microhierax caerulescens   Lovely to see 13 roosting together (and 19 in all) near Hongbenghe.

Common Kestrel  Falco tinnunculus

Oriental Hobby  Falco severus   Two loafing above Hongbenghe.

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus

Long-tailed Broadbill  Psarisomus dalhousiae

Silver-breasted Broadbill  Serilophus lunatus   Six at Jianfengling (endemic polionotus).

Blue-naped Pitta ◊  Hydrornis nipalensis   Patience was rewarded with brilliant views of a male at Shiti.

Blue-rumped Pitta ◊  Hydrornis soror   Heard-only. Came so close to the hide at Nonggang.

Grey-chinned Minivet  Pericrocotus solaris

Short-billed Minivet  Pericrocotus brevirostris   A female right in front of a hide at Hongbenghe was a surprise.

Long-tailed Minivet  Pericrocotus ethologus

Scarlet Minivet  Pericrocotus flammeus

Black-winged Cuckooshrike  Lalage melaschistos

Ashy Woodswallow  Artamus fuscus

White-browed Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius aeralatus

Green Shrike-babbler  Pteruthius xanthochlorus   A couple near Liju (eye-ringed pallidus).

White-bellied Erpornis  Erpornis zantholeuca

Maroon Oriole  Oriolus traillii

White-throated Fantail  Rhipidura albicollis

Bronzed Drongo  Dicrurus aeneus

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus paradiseus

Hair-crested Drongo  Dicrurus hottentottus

Ashy Drongo  Dicrurus leucophaeus   Small numbers in W Yunnan (hopwoodi) ; 1 presumed wintering leucogenis/salangensis on Hainan.

Black Drongo  Dicrurus macrocercus

Black-naped Monarch  Hypothymis azurea

Long-tailed Shrike  Lanius schach

Brown Shrike  Lanius cristatus

Grey-backed Shrike  Lanius tephronotus

Ratchet-tailed Treepie ◊  Temnurus temnurus   Three seen on Hainan.

Grey Treepie  Dendrocitta formosae   Heard-only.

Collared Treepie ◊  Dendrocitta frontalis  Amazing to get such great views from hides; 3-5 birds in W Yunnan.

Common Green Magpie  Cissa chinensis   W Yunnanese nominate.

Indochinese Green Magpie ◊  Cissa hypoleuca   Brilliant hide-views of this (Hainan katsumatae) & the last species.

Red-billed Blue Magpie  Urocissa erythroryncha   Heard-only.

White-winged Magpie ◊  Urocissa whiteheadi   Wonderful encounter with 3 at the Nonggang hide. Others heard.

Eurasian Jay  Garrulus glandarius   One near Liju.

Oriental Magpie ◊  Pica serica

Large-billed Crow  Corvus [macrorhynchos] macrorhynchos

Large-billed Crow (Eastern Jungle C)  Corvus [macrorhynchos] levaillantii

Yellow-bellied Fantail  Chelidorhynx hypoxanthus

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher  Culicicapa ceylonensis

Yellow-browed Tit  Sylviparus modestus   Small numbers near Liju.

Sultan Tit  Melanochlora sultanea

Green-backed Tit  Parus monticolus

Cinereous Tit (Asian T)  Parus cinereus   Nonggang: commixtus. W Yunnan: subtibetanus (Japanese group).

Yellow-cheeked Tit  Machlolophus spilonotus

Black-bibbed Tit ◊  Poecile hypermelaenus   A couple of pairs were noted near Liju.

Oriental Skylark  Alauda gulgula

Common Tailorbird  Orthotomus sutorius

Hill Prinia  Prinia superciliaris

Rufescent Prinia  Prinia rufescens

Grey-breasted Prinia  Prinia hodgsonii

Yellow-bellied Prinia  Prinia flaviventris

Plain Prinia  Prinia inornata

Oriental Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus orientalis   Heard-only.

Lanceolated Warbler  Locustella lanceolata

Striated Grassbird  Megalurus palustris

Scaly-breasted Cupwing  Pnoepyga albiventer

Pygmy Cupwing  Pnoepyga pusilla

Grey-throated Martin  Riparia chinensis

Eurasian Crag Martin  Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Wire-tailed Swallow  Hirundo smithii   Two at Nabang.

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

Asian House Martin  Delichon dasypus

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow (Striated S) Cecropis daurica

Black-throated Bushtit  Aegithalos concinnus   Tengchong and Lijiang areas (talifuensis).

Black-browed Bushtit ◊  Aegithalos iouschistos  Common in the Lijiang region (bonvaloti).

Grey-bellied Tesia ◊  Tesia cyaniventer   Performed nicely in front of a hide at Hongbenghe.

Slaty-bellied Tesia ◊  Tesia olivea   Heard-only.

Grey-sided Bush Warbler  Cettia brunnifrons

Chestnut-headed Tesia  Cettia castaneocoronata   One was teased-out along the Hotspring loop at Baihualing.

Yellow-bellied Warbler  Abroscopus superciliaris

Rufous-faced Warbler  Abroscopus albogularis   Heard-only.

Black-faced Warbler  Abroscopus schisticeps   A small group showed briefly near Liju.

Mountain Tailorbird  Phyllergates cucullatus   Heard-only.

Buff-barred Warbler  Phylloscopus pulcher

Ashy-throated Warbler  Phylloscopus maculipennis

Yellow-browed Warbler  Phylloscopus inornatus

Hume’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus humei

Chinese Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus yunnanensis   Endemic (breeder). Just one seen well in the Husa area

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus proregulus   A couple in the Nonggang area.

Sichuan Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus forresti   Endemic (breeder). Frequent in Yunnan.

Tickell’s Leaf Warbler (Alpine L W)  Phylloscopus [affinis] occisinensis   Two at Longchuan Rafting Area.

Dusky Warbler  Phylloscopus fuscatus

Buff-throated Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus subaffinis   One seen well near Tongbiguan.

Grey-cheeked Warbler  Phylloscopus poliogenys   Heard-only.

Bianchi’s Warbler  Phylloscopus valentini

Two-barred Warbler  Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus   One was identified near Hongbenghe.

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus tenellipes   Heard-only. A calling bird at Jianfengling.

Chestnut-crowned Warbler  Phylloscopus castaniceps

Limestone Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus calciatilis   Several birds in the Nonggang area.

Hartert’s Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus goodsoni   Endemic (breeder). Two individuals at Jianfengling.

Hainan Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus hainanus   Endemic. Uncommon, with only two noted.

Davison’s Leaf Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus intensior   One at Shiti.

Black-crested Bulbul  Rubigula flaviventris

Crested Finchbill  Spizixos canifrons

Flavescent Bulbul  Pycnonotus flavescens

Brown-breasted Bulbul ◊  Pycnonotus xanthorrhous

Light-vented Bulbul ◊ (Chinese B)  Pycnonotus sinensis   Common on Hainan (hainanus).

Red-whiskered Bulbul  Pycnonotus jocosus

Red-vented Bulbul  Pycnonotus cafer

Sooty-headed Bulbul  Pycnonotus aurigaster

White-throated Bulbul  Alophoixus flaveolus

Puff-throated Bulbul  Alophoixus pallidus

Striated Bulbul  Alcurus striatus   Best seen in the Husa area, but also at Baihualing.

Grey-eyed Bulbul  Iole propinqua

Chestnut Bulbul ◊  Hemixos castanonotus   Good numbers seen on Hainan (nominate).

Mountain Bulbul  Ixos mcclellandii

Black Bulbul  Hypsipetes leucocephalus

Rufous-tailed Babbler ◊ (R-t Moupinia)  Moupinia poecilotis   Endemic. 1 popped-up in pinewoods near Lijiang.

Golden-breasted Fulvetta ◊  Lioparus chrysotis  Two flocks of this cracker near Liju (forresti).

Spectacled Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta ruficapilla   Endemic. Three seen near Liju (sordidior).

White-browed Fulvetta  Fulvetta vinipectus   A dozen of these great little birds near Liju (bieti).

Manipur Fulvetta ◊  Fulvetta manipurensis   Ditto.

Rufous-headed Parrotbill ◊  Paradoxornis bakeri   Great views at Hongbenghe and Shiti (nominate).

Pale-billed Parrotbill ◊  Suthora atrosuperciliaris   Ditto (also nominate).

Eye-ringed Parrotbill ◊  Suthora ricketti   Endemic. An incredible roving flock of c.70 near Shigu, Yunnan.

White-collared Yuhina ◊  Parayuhina diademata   Near-endemic. Common near Liju.

Striated Yuhina ◊  Staphida castaniceps   Large flocks in the Hongbenghe-Shiti area (plumbeiceps).

Indochinese Yuhina ◊  Staphida torqueola  A small group at Nonggang. Leader-only.

Whiskered Yuhina  Yuhina flavicollis

Chestnut-flanked White-eye  Zosterops erythropleurus

Swinhoe’s White-eye  Zosterops simplex

Indian White-eye  Zosterops palpebrosus

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler  Mixornis gularis

Golden Babbler  Cyanoderma chrysaeum

Rufous-capped Babbler  Cyanoderma ruficeps

Bar-winged Wren-Babbler ◊  Spelaeornis troglodytoides   Stunning views of a pair near Liju (rocki).

Grey-bellied Wren-Babbler ◊  Spelaeornis reptatus   Mega. A pair in the Husa area, eventually showing well.

Brown-crowned Scimitar Babbler ◊  Pomatorhinus phayrei   Three in the Hongbenghe-Shiti area (stanfordi).

Red-billed Scimitar Babbler ◊  Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps   Ditto a dozen (stenorhynchus).

Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler ◊  Pomatorhinus superciliaris   One admired from of a Baihualing hide (forresti).

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler  Pomatorhinus ruficollis   Seen on Hainan (nigrostellatus), Nonggang (reconditus) and W Yunnan (similis).

Large Scimitar Babbler ◊  Erythrogenys hypoleucos   One showed at one of the Hainan hides (hainana).

Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler ◊  Erythrogenys gravivox   Recorded at Baihualing (odica), and Liju (decarlei).

Grey-throated Babbler  Stachyris nigriceps

Nonggang Babbler ◊  Stachyris nonggangensis   Mega endemic. Excellent views of ten birds.

Spot-necked Babbler  Stachyris strialata  

White-hooded Babbler ◊  Gampsorhynchus rufulus

Rusty-capped Fulvetta  Schoeniparus dubius   Recorded at Baihualing (intermedius), and Liju (genestieri).

Dusky Fulvetta ◊ (Brown-capped F)  Schoeniparus brunneus   Near-endemic. Six on Hainan (endemic arguta).

Puff-throated Babbler  Pellorneum ruficeps

Spot-throated Babbler ◊  Pellorneum albiventre   Heard-only. Baihualing.

Buff-breasted Babbler ◊  Pellorneum tickelli

Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler  Napothera epilepidota   Heard-only.

Streaked Wren-Babbler  Gypsophila brevicaudata   Seen well W Yunnan (venningi); heard Nonggang (stevensi).

Brown-cheeked Fulvetta  Alcippe poioicephala   Small numbers in the Hongbenghe-Shiti area (haringtoniae).

Nepal Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe nipalensis   Ditto.

David’s Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe davidi   A handful at Nonggang (schaefferi).

Huet’s Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe hueti   Endemic. Common on Hainan (rufescentior).

Yunnan Fulvetta ◊  Alcippe fratercula   Frequent in Yunnan (nominate).

Scaly Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron subunicolor   Splendid views of five at Baihualing (griseatum).

Blue-winged Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron squamatum   Wonderful views of four in Yunnan.

Black-faced Laughingthrush  Trochalopteron affine   Common near Liju (oustaleti).

Elliot’s Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron elliotii   Endemic. Small numbers seen nicely near Liju.

Red-tailed Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron milnei   Close views of this superb stunner in W Yunnan (sharpei).

Assam Laughingthrush ◊  Trochalopteron chrysopterum   Two at a Baihualing hide (woodi).

Long-tailed Sibia  Heterophasia picaoides

Beautiful Sibia ◊  Heterophasia pulchella   A handful at Baihualing.

Grey Sibia ◊  Heterophasia gracilis   Not uncommon Husa area to Shiti.

Black-headed Sibia ◊  Heterophasia desgodinsi   Common at Baihualing to Liju (nominate).

Blue-winged Minla  Actinodura cyanouroptera

Bar-throated Minla (Chestnut-tailed M)  Actinodura strigula

Rusty-fronted Barwing ◊  Actinodura egertoni   Frequently seen in W Yunnan (ripponi).

Silver-eared Mesia  Leiothrix argentauris

Red-tailed Minla  Minla ignotincta

Rufous-backed Sibia ◊  Leioptila annectens   Great views of one coming to food at Shiti (mixta).

Scarlet-faced Liocichla ◊  Liocichla ripponi   Double figures from the W Yunnan hides (wellsi).

Spot-breasted Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax merulinus   Extended views of this crippler at Shiti (nominate).

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush  Garrulax monileger   Lots at Hongbenghe & Shiti (nominate).

White-crested Laughingthrush  Garrulax leucolophus   Gracing the hides in W Yunnan (patkaicus).

Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush ◊  Garrulax castanotis  Great views on Hainan (endemic nominate).

Moustached Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla cineracea   Two appeared on cue near Liju (strenua).

Spotted Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla ocellata   Stunning views of six near Liju (maculipectus).

White-speckled Laughingthrush ◊  Ianthocincla bieti   Endemic. Mind-blowing views of 4-6 near Liju.

Black-throated Laughingthrush  Pterorhinus chinensis   W Yunnan (lochmius) & Nonggang (nominate).

Black-throated Laughingthrush ◊ (Hainan L)  Pterorhinus [chinensis] monachus   Endemic. Four seen well.

White-browed Laughingthrush  Pterorhinus sannio   A few at Longchuan Rafting Area, W Yunnan (comis).

Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush  Pterorhinus pectoralis   Five at Hongbenghe (nominate).

Goldcrest  Regulus regulus

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch  Sitta frontalis

Yellow-billed Nuthatch ◊  Sitta solangiae   Three seen well at Jianfengling (endemic chienfengensis).

Yunnan Nuthatch ◊  Sitta yunnanensis   Near-endemic.

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch ◊  Sitta nagaensis

Eurasian Wren  Troglodytes troglodytes

Spotted Elachura ◊  Elachura formosa   One showed in a gulley at Baihualing.

Black-collared Starling  Gracupica nigricollis   Ten or so, of this and the next species, at Nabang, W Yunnan.

Indian Pied Myna  Gracupica contra

White-shouldered Starling  Sturnia sinensis

Common Myna  Acridotheres tristis

Burmese Myna ◊  Acridotheres burmannicus   Eight at Nabang.

Collared Myna ◊  Acridotheres albocinctus   20 at the Daying River, and six at Nabang.

Great Myna  Acridotheres grandis   15 at Nabang.

Crested Myna  Acridotheres cristatellus

Brown Dipper  Cinclus pallasii   A couple near Liju, right at the end of the tour.

Long-tailed Thrush ◊  Zoothera dixoni   Many sightings in Yunnan.

Sichuan Thrush ◊  Zoothera griseiceps   Endemic. Two wintering birds near Liju, a nice find.

Chinese Blackbird ◊  Turdus mandarinus

Chestnut Thrush ◊  Turdus rubrocanus   One briefly near Liju.

Grey-winged Blackbird  Turdus boulboul

Japanese Thrush ◊  Turdus cardis   A single first year male at one of the Baihualing hides was a westerly stray.

Black-breasted Thrush ◊  Turdus dissimilis   20-30 seen at the Yunnan hides.

Oriental Magpie-Robin  Copsychus saularis

White-rumped Shama  Copsychus malabaricus

White-tailed Flycatcher ◊  Leucoptilon concretum   A couple in the Hongbenghe-Shiti area.

Large Niltava  Niltava grandis

Small Niltava  Niltava macgrigoriae

Rufous-bellied Niltava  Niltava sundara

Verditer Flycatcher  Eumyias thalassinus

White-gorgeted Flycatcher  Anthipes monileger   One eventually popped out for us at a Baihualing hide.

Hainan Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis hainanus

Pale Blue Flycatcher ◊  Cyornis unicolor   Several seen at Jianfengling, Hainan.

Hill Blue Flycatcher  Cyornis whitei

Siberian Rubythroat  Calliope calliope   A sneaky male at the Nonggang pitta hide was welcome.

White-tailed Robin  Myiomela leucura

Little Forktail  Enicurus scouleri

White-crowned Forktail  Enicurus leschenaulti

Spotted Forktail  Enicurus maculatus

Slaty-backed Forktail  Enicurus schistaceus

Blue Whistling Thrush  Myophonus caeruleus

Rufous-tailed Robin ◊  Larvivora sibilans

Himalayan Shortwing  Brachypteryx cruralis   Several, including a male, from Baihualing hides.

Mugimaki Flycatcher  Ficedula mugimaki   Non-leader. Jianfengling.

Slaty-backed Flycatcher  Ficedula erithacus   A male by the roadside at Hongbenghe.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher  Ficedula hyperythra

Slaty-blue Flycatcher  Ficedula tricolor

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher  Ficedula strophiata

Sapphire Flycatcher  Ficedula sapphira   Heard-only. Hongbenghe.

Little Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula westermanni

Red-flanked Bluetail  Tarsiger cyanurus   One at Nonggang.

Himalayan Bluetail  Tarsiger rufilatus   Frequent at the W Yunnan hides.

White-browed Bush Robin ◊  Tarsiger indicus   A couple of female-types in Yunnan.

Golden Bush Robin  Tarsiger chrysaeus   One briefly near Tongbiguan. Leader only.

Blue-fronted Redstart  Phoenicurus frontalis

White-capped Redstart  Phoenicurus leucocephalus

Plumbeous Water Redstart  Phoenicurus fuliginosus

Daurian Redstart  Phoenicurus auroreus

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush  Monticola rufiventris

Grey Bush Chat  Saxicola ferreus

Pied Bush Chat  Saxicola caprata

Siberian Stonechat  Saxicola maurus   Widespread sightings of resident przewalskii in Yunnan.

Plain Flowerpecker  Dicaeum minullum   Not uncommon at Jianfengling.

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker  Dicaeum ignipectus

Streaked Spiderhunter  Arachnothera magna

Black-throated Sunbird  Aethopyga saturata

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird  Aethopyga gouldiae

Crimson Sunbird  Aethopyga siparaja

Fork-tailed Sunbird ◊  Aethopyga christinae   Common on Hainan and at Nonggang.

Blue-winged Leafbird  Chloropsis moluccensis

Orange-bellied Leafbird  Chloropsis hardwickii

Scaly-breasted Munia  Lonchura punctulata

White-rumped Munia  Lonchura striata

Maroon-backed Accentor ◊  Prunella immaculata   Four feeding near Liju.

Rufous-breasted Accentor  Prunella strophiata   Common near Liju.

Russet Sparrow  Passer cinnamomeus

Eurasian Tree Sparrow  Passer montanus

Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea

Citrine Wagtail  Motacilla citreola

Eastern Yellow Wagtail  Motacilla tschutschensis

White Wagtail (Chinese W)  Motacilla [alba] leucopsis

White Wagtail (Hodgson’s W, Himalayan W)  Motacilla [alba] alboides

Richard’s Pipit  Anthus richardi

Olive-backed Pipit  Anthus hodgsoni

Rosy Pipit  Anthus roseatus

Scarlet Finch ◊  Carpodacus sipahi   Three alighted in open trees along the Hotspring Loop, Baihualing.

Common Rosefinch  Carpodacus erythrinus

Sharpe’s Rosefinch ◊  Carpodacus verreauxii   Endemic. A handful in the Liju area.

Vinaceous Rosefinch  Carpodacus vinaceus   A female fed in front of a hide at Baihualing.

Crimson-browed Finch ◊  Carpodacus subhimachalus   A dozen in track-side bushes near Liju.

Grey-headed Bullfinch ◊  Pyrrhula erythaca   Eight near Liju.

Black-headed Greenfinch ◊  Chloris ambigua

Yellow-throated Bunting ◊  Emberiza elegans   12 in small fields near Liju. Lovely birds.

Little Bunting  Emberiza pusilla

Godlewski’s Bunting ◊  Emberiza godlewskii

MAMMALS

Yellow-throated Marten  Martes flavigula

Northern Treeshrew  Tupaia belangeri

Northern Red Muntjac  Muntiacus vaginalis   Heard-only.

Rhesus Macaque  Macaca mulatta

Pallas’s Squirrel (Rufous-bellied Tree S)  Callosciurus erythraeus

Anderson’s Squirrel (Stripe-bellied S)  Callosciurus quinquestriatus  Near-endemic. 2 at Nongbenghe-Shiti.

Red-hipped Squirrel  Dremomys pyrrhomerus   Endemic. Several seen nicely on Hainan.

Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel  Dremomys rufigenis   A few at Nonggang and Baihualing.

Black Giant Squirrel  Ratufa bicolor

Maritime Striped Squirrel  Tamiops maritimus   Small numbers at Jianfengling.

Himalayan Striped Squirrel  Tamiops mcclellandii   Several in W Yunnan.

Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel  Tamiops swinhoei   Endemic. Heard-only. Near Liju.

BUTTERFLIES

Chinese Windmill  Byasa confusa   Nonggang.

Great Windmill  Byasa dasarada   Yunnan.

Green Dragontail  Lamproptera meges   Nonggang.

Lesser Gull  Cepora nadina   Hainan.

Red-based Jezebel  Delias pasithoe   Nonggang.

One-spot Grass Yellow  Eurema andersoni   Nonggang.

Lesser Brimstone  Gonepteryx aspasia   Yunnan.

Indian Cabbage White  Pieris canidia   Nonggang.

Asian Green-veined White  Pieris melete   Nonggang.

Spotted Sawtooth  Prioneris thestylis   Nonggang.

Yellow Orange Tip  Ixias pyrene   Nonggang.

Punchinello  Zemeros flegyas   Nonggang.

Straight Pierrot  Caleta roxus   Nonggang.

Gram Blue  Euchrysops cnejus   Hainan.

Common Cerulean  Jamides celeno   Nonggang.

Pale Grass Blue  Pseudozizeeria maha   Yunnan.

Slate Flash  Rapala manea   Nonggang.

Lesser Grass Blue  Zizina otis   Hainan.

Angled Red Forester  Lethe chandica   Hainan.

Common Evening Brown  Melanitis leda  Nonggang.

Dark Evening Brown  Melanitis phedima  Nonggang.

Commander Moduza procris   Nonggang.

South China Bushbrown  Mycalesis mucianus   Nonggang.

Glassy Tiger  Parantica aglea   Yunnan.

Black Prince  Rohana parisatis   Nonggang.

Popinjay  Stibochiona nicea   Yunnan.

Common Jester  Symbrenthia lilaea   Nonggang.

Common Five-Ring  Ypthima baldus   Hainan.

Yellow Banded Awl  Hasora schoenherr   Yunnan.

DRAGONFLIES

Yellow Featherlegs  Copera marginipes   Hainan.

Russet Percher  Neurothemis fulvia   Hainan.

PLANTS

Hainan Galangal   Alpinia hainanensis   Hainan.

Hairy Ginger-Lily  Hedychium villosum   Yunnan.

Chinese Quince  Chaenomeles speciosa   Yunnan.

Hairy White-Wand  Leucosceptrum canum   Yunnan.

Centipede Grass Orchid  Zeuxine strateumatica   Salween R., Yunnan