Birds flying in Kinmen: My bird watching photography diary - Taiwan Travel Academy 金門飛羽鳥影：浯洲的賞鳥攝影日記 - 台灣遊玩塾
Southern homes glow in morning light,Colonial walls recall past might.
Hoopoes tap with rhythmic grace,While kingfishers dart, a hidden trace.
Glossy starlings call through trees,Magpies greet the sun with ease.
Black-faced spoonbills sometimes seen,Black storks drift through lands serene.
Nature’s bounty wide and strong,Winged wonders draw the world along.
Kinmen is home to a variety of protected winter migratory birds, including fork-tailed sunbirds, eagles, common kestrels, peregrine falcons, and ospreys. Even rare species such as the black-faced spoonbill and the black stork occasionally lose their way and find themselves in Kinmen, offering birdwatchers surprising and delightful sightings.
The best time to observe and photograph these wild birds is from December to February. Situated along the coastal arc of mainland China, Kinmen lies directly on the primary migratory route for birds traveling between the north and the south. Its favorable natural environment, abundant food resources, and minimal human disturbance make it an ideal haven for birds to breed, overwinter, or stop during migration.
Among all territories of Taiwan, Kinmen is the island with the greatest chance of encountering a wide variety of Eurasian migratory birds.
古人牧民逐水草而居，而這位陳坤煌老師是逐野鳥而居。陳老師是南投縣中寮鄉的居民，長年工作於金門，因而認識了金門的賞鳥活動。經過十多年的金門賞鳥的歷練，他已經對金門的賞鳥點與鳥類如數家珍。夏季4月-7月之間，冬季11月-1月之間，妳如果看見拿著長焦單眼相機，出沒於金門的農村鄉間田野之中的男人，應該便是陳老師的身影。
Ancient herdsmen lived by following water and grass, while this teacher Chen Kunhuang lives by following wild birds. Teacher Chen is a resident of Zhongliao Township, Nantou County. He has worked in Kinmen for many years and thus got to know Kinmen's bird watching activities. After more than ten years of experience in Kinmen bird watching, he has become familiar with Kinmen's bird watching spots and birds. Between April and July in summer and November and January in winter, if you see a man holding a telephoto SLR camera and appearing in the rural fields of Kinmen, it should be Teacher Chen.
The Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) is a common summer migratory bird in Kinmen and belongs to the heron family (Ardeidae). Each spring, it migrates north from southern regions to breed in Kinmen, favoring habitats such as wetlands, ponds, and rice paddies. During the breeding season, its plumage transforms into a striking chestnut red, contrasting with its grayish-white feathers in the non-breeding season.
It feeds on small fish and insects and often stands still at the water's edge, waiting to strike—behavior similar to that of the Black-crowned Night Heron. With its distinctive breeding plumage and foraging habits, the Chinese Pond Heron adds ecological charm to Kinmen's summer landscape.
The Grey-capped Greenfinch (Chloris sinica), also known as the Oriental Greenfinch or simply Greenfinch, is a common resident bird in Kinmen. Measuring about 15 centimeters in length, it is easily recognized by its golden-yellow wing patches and pinkish beak. These birds often forage for grass seeds among the undergrowth.
Their soft, melodious calls resemble metallic chimes, making them a favorite among birdwatchers. In Kinmen, they can be seen year-round and are known to breed in areas such as sorghum fields and among Cook pine trees, adding vibrant beauty to the island’s ecosystem.
Scientific name Clamator coromandus, the Chestnut-winged Cuckoo is a common summer migratory bird in Kinmen. It is easily recognized by its striking black crest, chestnut-colored wings, and long tail feathers, giving it a distinctive appearance. Each spring, it migrates north from southern regions to breed in Kinmen, favoring woodlands and shrublands as its habitat.
While rarely seen on Taiwan’s main island, it is relatively easy to observe in Kinmen during summer, making it a sought-after species for birdwatching enthusiasts. Its territorial behavior during the breeding season further increases the chances of sightings.
Myophonus caeruleus, known as the White-spotted Whistling Thrush, is a common resident bird in the Kinmen area. Unlike the Taiwan endemic species, its distinctive features include deep purplish-blue plumage adorned with silvery-white spots on the head, back, and wings, making it particularly striking in appearance.
This bird typically inhabits forested hills and streamside areas, often seen perched on rocks or branches near water. Its call resembles a human whistle—clear and resonant—often heard at dawn or dusk. It feeds primarily on insects, small snakes, crabs, and fruits, making it a favorite subject for birdwatchers in Kinmen.
Lanius schach, commonly known as the "Butcher Bird," is nicknamed for its predatory habits. Its sleek, streamlined body hints at its remarkable aerial agility. Measuring about 20 centimeters in length, it is characterized by a reddish-brown back, long tail feathers, and a distinctive black eye mask.
It inhabits open farmland, shrublands, and forest edges, with its breeding season spanning from spring to summer. The Long-tailed Shrike feeds on insects and small reptiles, often impaling its prey on branches for later consumption—a unique foraging behavior that sets it apart.
Its call is highly variable and often mimics other bird species, making it one of the most intriguing and popular birds among birdwatchers in Kinmen.
Upupa epops, commonly known as the Eurasian Hoopoe, is a common resident bird in Kinmen and can be seen throughout the year. It is easily recognized by its distinctive orange-brown plumage, striking black-and-white wings, and prominent crest, which it can raise. Its flight is undulating, resembling a wave.
The Hoopoe prefers open areas such as farmland, grasslands, and cemeteries, feeding mainly on insects, earthworms, and small invertebrates. During the breeding season, it nests in soil cavities or tree holes, earning it the local nickname "grave-hole bird." When threatened, the chicks can emit a strong odor as a form of defense.
In Kinmen, the Hoopoe is regarded as a symbolic native species and has been chosen as the emblem bird of the Kinmen Wild Bird Society.
Pyrus calleryana, commonly known as the Callery pear, is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae (rose) family. Native to China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, it can grow up to 12 meters tall. In spring, it produces clusters of white corymb blossoms that resemble snow, making it highly ornamental. Its small, round fruits measure about 1 centimeter in diameter and resemble beans, hence its Chinese name "bean pear" (dou-li).
In Taiwan, it is primarily found in low-elevation broadleaf forests in the northern and central regions, where wild populations are rare and classified as critically endangered. However, in Kinmen, the species is more frequently seen thanks to the protection offered by the national park. The tree is often used in landscaping, as a bird-attracting plant, and is also well-suited for bonsai cultivation.
Wilderness Wandering - Self-driving Natural Kinmen Bird Hunting Ecological Fun 3 Days
後給各位介紹一篇好工具，就是長汎假期的半自助套裝產品-四人即可成行。套裝包含金門三天兩夜來回航班，還有精選古厝民宿，機場租汽車72小時，再加上金門尋鳥人帶您尋鳥活動一日。非常便利又適合想要自由行，又想要有專業導覽員來介紹在地特色的旅客來參加。而且一次就將所有自由行的元件打包完畢。非常便利。
Finally, I would like to introduce a good tool to you, which is the semi-self-service package of Changpan Holidays - it can be completed by four people. The package includes a three-day and two-night round-trip flight to Kinmen, a selection of ancient house homestays, a 72-hour car rental at the airport, and a one-day bird hunting activity with a Kinmen bird hunter. It is very convenient and suitable for travelers who want to travel independently and want a professional tour guide to introduce local characteristics. And all the components of a free trip are packed in one go. Very convenient.
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