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Birding Hongbenghe, Yunnan

10,000 Birds

While it is listed as Least Concern, it is rare in China – the range map in the HBW barely touches Chinese territory. The Latin name “ chinensis ” is somewhat misleading as is much more common in Southeast Asia than in China – apparently, it was chosen in the mistaken belief that the type specimen had come from China.

Birds 147
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Birding Hongbenghe, Yunnan (Part 2)

10,000 Birds

melliana from alleged contact zone(s) in northern Laos and possibly south-western China. The species is also hunted for local consumption in Meghalaya (India), according to the HBW. Unlike me, the HBW does not seem to appreciate the species much, stating that it is “hopping about in very ungainly manner.”

Burma 213
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Birding Shanghai in November 2022

10,000 Birds

A study found that for Plain Prinia , egg characteristics in a mainland China location with many cuckoos make it much easier to spot cuckoo eggs than in a Taiwan location with few cuckoos ( source ). On the other hand, in the West, mice, and rats are also kept as pets, maybe with the same logic.

Birds 230