Heterophasia auricularis (Swinhoe, 1864)

Species Introduction

The white-eared sibia (Heterophasia auricularis) is an elegant, long-tailed babbler.

Size and Weight

It measures 22 to 24 cm (8.7–9.4 in) in length and has an average weight of 40–50 g (1.4–1.8 oz).

Head Plumage

Its head is black, with a noticeable white stripe running through the eye that ends in long white filamentous plumes.

Wing and Tail Plumage

The wings and tail are deep blue-black, with a prominent white wingbar.

Torso Plumage

The upper back and breast are dark grey, while the belly and rump are deep rufous chestnut.

Soft Parts Appearance

It has a black bill and brown-flesh coloured legs.

Sexual and Juvenile Plumage

Males and females have identical appearance, and the plumage of juvenile individuals has not been formally described.

Endemic Range and General Habitat

This species is endemic to the island of Taiwan, where it lives in a range of forest and woodland habitats.

Breeding Altitude

It is a partial altitudinal migrant: in summer, it breeds at 1,200–3,000 m (3,900–9,800 ft) above sea level, or up to 2,780 m (9,120 ft) in northern Taiwan.

Winter Altitudinal Movement

Some individuals move down to 700 m (2,300 ft) in winter, and may descend as low as 200 m (660 ft) during especially harsh weather.

Seasonal Habitat Use

In summer, it occupies evergreen forests, including mixed broadleaf coniferous forests, and it uses deciduous forests during winter.