Tarsiger johnstoniae
The Collared Bush Robin, *Tarsiger johnstoniae*, is an exquisite member of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), distinguished by its vibrant plumage and endemic status to Taiwan. Males boast a striking blackish head adorned with a prominent, long white supercilium that extends to the nape, contrasted by a vivid rufous-orange or chestnut-orange collar encircling the neck. Their back and wings are dark slate-grey, while the underparts mirror the rufous-orange collar, fading to whitis...
Found exclusively in high-altitude montane forests of Taiwan, preferring broadleaf and mixed forest types, often near stream beds or forest edges. Typically inhabits elevations between 1,800 to 3,000 meters, descending to lower altitudes during winter.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming small beetles, ants, flies, and caterpillars, which it gleans from foliage and the ground. Its diet is supplemented with various berries and small fruits, particularly during the colder winter months.
This diurnal species often exhibits a skulking nature, foraging low in dense undergrowth but also observed hopping on the ground or perching on low branches. Its foraging strategy involves actively gleaning insects from foliage, probing leaf litter, and occasionally performing short sallies from ...
The Collared Bush Robin is entirely endemic to the island of Taiwan, found predominantly within the central mountain range. Its breeding range spans high-altitude montane forests, typically between 1,800 and 3,000 meters (approx. 5,900-9,800 feet) above sea level. During the non-breeding winter m...
Least Concern
- The Collared Bush Robin is entirely endemic to Taiwan, found nowhere else on Earth, making it a highly sought-after species for birders visiting the island. - Its scientific name, *johnstoniae*, honors Mrs. Johnston, who collected the type specimen of this species in 1906. - Despite its strikin...