I used to be on the lookout for a title for this third a part of a weblog publish on the birds of Baihualing, and thought that the made-up time period “Trequel” would sound becoming. Think about my shock after I (simply to be secure) googled trequel and located that the phrase truly exists and means precisely what one would assume it means – the third a part of a sequence. There goes my declare to fame as an inventor of recent phrases.
Baihualing has its share of enticing thrusts. A pleasant instance is the male Black-breasted Thrush. The Latin species title is dissimilis (completely different, in contrast to), presumably as a result of the feminine appears fairly completely different from the male (although based mostly on that clarification, dissimilis must be a quite common species title).
The male Gray-winged Blackbird is equally enticing. Considerably confusingly, its Latin species title is boulboul – a phrase that stands for nightingale however after all can also be the title of a giant chook household, the bulbuls.
The Lengthy-tailed Thrush appears fairly a bit like – and is expounded to – the White’s Thrush we have now right here in Shanghai. The Latin species title dixoni is in honor of the English ornithologist Charles Dixon (1858-1926), although Charles disqualified himself a bit scientifically by not believing within the function of pure choice in evolution. Consequently, in his later profession, he targeted extra on protecting horse reveals and agricultural gala’s as a journalist (supply).
The Blue Whistling Thrush is after all named for its whistling – you may hear it right here.
The rock thrush household is extra carefully associated to flycatchers than to thrushes – nonetheless, why not present a Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush right here. In spite of everything, it’s fairly stunning.
From chestnut-bellied to chestnut-vented: Chestnut-vented Nuthatch.
I didn’t know that flavescent means “yellowish or turning yellow” however I needed to look it up looking for one thing to put in writing concerning the Flavescent Bulbul. The HBW has a considerably self-contradictory assertion on the relative shyness of this species: “It’s a shy and retiring species, however … might be very tame”. So, it’s shy until it’s not. Then it’s visitor.
apparently, Purple-vented Bulbuls are additionally frequent in Dubai, not simply at Baihualing. Why anyone would wish to stay in Dubai is a thriller to me although.
Niltava is a genus within the household of Outdated World Flycatchers (although I nonetheless assume the time period Outdated World is barely ridiculous). There are 7 species of them, and in response to eBird, you may see 5 of them at Baihualing.
I feel all of the photographs instantly beneath present Rufous-bellied Niltava. Nevertheless, it takes a a lot better birder than me to make sure none of them is a Fujian Niltava.
If there’s a Giant Niltava …
… there must also be a Small Niltava. No Intermediate Niltava although.
The Grey Bushchat considerably resents the “gray” a part of its title – it makes the species sound bureaucratic and uncharismatic. The chook beneath desires you to know that it’s fun-loving, easy-going, and has a robust humorousness.
Partridges are the German housewives of the birding world – strong, industrial, and stout. I truly wrote this earlier than wanting up the eBird description of the Hill Partridgesolely to seek out that it’s in an identical vein (and presumably even much less flattering) – the species is said to have “a physique formed like a soccer”.
Greatest to only proceed quoting from the identical eBird entry: “Brick-red on the crown serves to tell apart the male from the same Rufous-throated Partridge, whereas male Hill Partridge additionally lacks orange on the throat.” Surprisingly, the protection of the Rufous-throated Partridge on eBird is way more constructive regardless of the same physique form: “a fantastic little gamebird”.
Partridges typically are usually not nice flyers – and people of their determined want for explanations (how else to grasp the idea in astrology) have provide you with one (Wikipedia):
“In line with Greek legend, the primary partridge appeared when Daedalus threw his nephew, Perdix, off the sacred hill of Athena in a match of jealous rage. Nevertheless, Athena noticed him falling and saved him by altering him right into a chook referred to as after his title, the perdix (partridge). Supposedly aware of his fall, the chook doesn’t construct its nest within the timber, nor take lofty flights and avoids excessive locations.”
(In line with one other supply, the explanation for Daedalus’ envy was that Perdix invented the noticed after observing the best way snakes use their jaws. Hm.)
Whereas the title tailorbird derives from the best way these birds assemble their nest by stitching collectively a big leaf, apparently the Mountain Tailorbird doesn’t do this. It’s nonetheless referred to as tailorbird although.
The eBird description of the Rusty-capped Fulvetta signifies some sympathy for underdogs: “This small brown fulvetta could be drab had been it not for its sharp white forehead and orange brow”. Far more drab than the chook: a paper on “The coexistence of seven sympatric fulvettas in Ailao Mountains, Ejia City, Yunnan Province” (which incorporates the Rusty-capped Fulvetta).
Lastly, two Yuhina species: the Stripe-throated Yuhina (knowingly or unknowingly witty, eBird feedback that the “streaked throat is diagnostic however tough to see”, one thing properly illustrated by the photograph) …
…and the Whiskered Yuhina …
… with its nod in direction of punk rock (eBird: “small songbird with a brown mohawk of a crest”).
Additionally accessible in moist.
Closing be aware: Baihualing is presently closed for all guests – it’s not clear when it’s going to reopen. Nevertheless, supposedly as soon as it reopens, will probably be open to foreigners as properly. I hope this may change into true.
