Commonly Seen Birds in Urban Areas
Urban areas are characterized by a high degree of development and the disappearance of original landscapes. The organisms that once lived there have also disappeared or moved elsewhere, significantly decreasing local biodiversity. Urban green spaces are like rays of light. They are not only recreational areas for people, but also habitats for many organisms. Among animal species, it is usually birds that attract the most attention as they are very active and often have bright plumage, as well as emit calls and songs.
The study of Taiwan's birds can be traced back to 1854 with the first records by the crew of an explorer ship of the US Navy. After that, many naturalists, such as Robert Swinhoe from England, came to Taiwan to travel or to take up official posts. They proceeded to make new records of known species and to discover new species. In the 19th century, Taiwan was still in a period of immigration and opening up of farmland. The population density was not as high as it is today, and natural landscapes were intact. The early natural history literature includes new records of known bird species and newly discovered species. These records describe the ecology of birds, specimen sources, the person(s) who provided the specimens and the relationship between the local people and bird species. Although there are not many of these descriptions available, they allow us to gain some insight into the relationships between people and birds in Taiwan more than 100 years ago.
The "Commonly Seen Birds in Urban Areas" collections special exhibition includes 12 bird species that are often found in Taiwan's urban areas. Through specimens, images, and descriptions of ecology, behaviors and habitats, large and small birds that are all around us, but sometimes go unnoticed, are introduced. In addition, the first scientific record of each of these species in the early natural history literature is used to look at their distributions and behaviors before there was large scale development in Taiwan. Based on this information, it is hoped that a better understanding can be gained of their adaptability, and that this will stimulate thought on how to better co-exist with them.
