A cute little songbird with a highly distinctive, perfectly framed dark chocolate crest.

Meet the Taiwan yuhina

Photo Courtesy of Robert tdc / CC BY-SA 2.0

The Taiwan yuhina (Yuhina brunneiceps), also known as Formosan yuhina, is a medium-sized yuhina measuring 13 cm in length. They sport a black mustachioed face, a white throat, and greyish underparts. The wings are a shade of olive-green white the feet yellow and the bill black.

Photo Courtesy of Francesco Veronesi / CC BY-SA 2.0

The two sexes look very similar in appearance.

Juveniles look similar to their adult counterparts as well.

Photo (frame reduced) Courtesy of 孫鋒 林 / CC BY-SA 2.0

This bird is endemic to and found in the island nation of Taiwan.

Photo Courtesy of Robert tdc / CC BY-SA 2.0

Though restricted to certain areas, this species is common in these areas, which are temperate forested areas between 1000 to 2800m.

Photo (frame reduced) Courtesy of 孫鋒 林 / CC BY-SA 2.0

Taiwan yuhina like to feed on nectar from cherry blossoms and other flowers. It is also thought they probably also dine on small invertebrates and maybe fruit.

Photo Courtesy of 孫鋒 林 / CC BY-SA 2.0

The breeding season for these birds is from April through to June. They are thought to breed up to three times a year. Communal nesters, 3 to 4 pairs lay their eggs in the same nest and incubate the eggs by taking turns. The nest is a small deep cup, made of roots, fern, moss, and cobwebs, placed among thick branches.

Photo Courtesy of Charles Lam / CC BY-SA 2.0

This bird is regarded as of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Photo Courtesy of Robert tdc / CC BY-SA 2.0

You can watch this bird right here in the video below: