Grey treepie - Dendrocitta formosae formosae Swinhoe, 1863
Global distribution: Widely distributed in the central and southern parts of the Asian continent, including the Himalayan Mountains, Indochina, southern China, Taiwan and Hainan Island.
Taiwan distribution: Endemic subspecies with wide distribution from low-lying areas to around 2,000 meters.
Habitat and behavior: They are usually seen in small groups in parks and on school campuses, as well as on farmland in low-lying areas or along mountain slopes. There are often several individuals that sing together. Their songs are loud, but not extremely pleasing to the ear. Some of the songs feature a repeated phrase of "ge ge li ga". There is not much information available regarding their reproductive biology, but they have been observed nesting in groups. In addition, they work together to drive away crested serpent eagles and other possible predators. However, if disturbed by the Taiwan blue magpie, they will abandon their nest.
Diet: This species mainly feeds on insects, fruits and seeds.
First record in Taiwan: Swinhoe, R., 1863. Ibis 1863: 387.
Date discovered: 1861-1862.
Location of first discovery: Not specified.
Excerpt of summary of original text: In China, I did not have the good fortune of sighting this species, even though it must be present in the inland mountains. Nonetheless, this species is very common in the inland mountains of Formosa. But, not many come down to the areas where farmland has been developed.--From Development History of Birds in Taiwan by Lin Wen-Hong (1997), Taiwan Interminds Publishing.
