Taiwan Cupwing
NameTaiwan Cupwing
Common NameTaiwan Cupwing
Scientific NamePnoepyga formosana
FamilyPnoepygidae
Wingspan (cm)14
Length (cm)8.5
Weight (g)10
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are dark brown with fine, pale buff scaling, giving a mottled appearance. Underparts are paler, with prominent crescentic dark scaling on a whitish background, especially on the breast and flanks. It has a dark eye and a slender, dark bill.
Vocalization / CallIts call is a high-pitched, thin, often repeated whistle or trill, sometimes described as a 'seep-seep-seep' or 'tsee-tsee-tsee'.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to the island of Taiwan, found in mountainous regions, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters.
Identifying Featuresvery small size, plump body, extremely short tail, scaled plumage pattern, dark eye, terrestrial foraging behavior, found near streams in damp forests
Description
A tiny, plump, and extremely short-tailed bird, the Taiwan Cupwing is characterized by its cryptic brown and scaled plumage. It typically forages on the forest floor, moving secretively through dense undergrowth, often near streams.
