One of the first things I noticed when I moved to China two and half years ago was the absence of birds. Of course, having moved to the middle of Shanghai you wouldn’t expect to be in prime bird habitat, but still it was a little disconcerting. The small patch of green outside of our apartment building was visited only by Eurasian Tree Sparrows and the occasional Light-vented Bulbul. The only birds I would hear would be caged birds by an open window.
In what I hope is a sign that the environment is improving, it seems that bird life is returning to the City. Around that same patch of green I now regularly see White Wagtails, Common Blackbirds, Hwamei, and Spotted Doves.
Farther afield, herons seem to be returning to the canal crisscrossed suburban areas with Black-crowned Night-herons especially plentiful. We’re not back to 1898 Shanghai levels yet, but I’m encouraged.
Coolest bird I’ve seen in China: a Red-billed Blue Magpie with a lizard in its mouth hopping around beneath a tea “tree” in Wuyishan, Fujian Province. 
7 responses so far ↓
1 Carol // Aug 7, 2008 at 9:02 am
Hey,
Do you know of any birders here in Shanghai? We’d love to go out with someone.
Thanks, carol
2 cmcelwee // Aug 7, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hi Carol, I looked about birding outings some time ago, but don’t remember where I put what I found. I’d love to go as well. I’ll try to dig out my research results because I think the topic is worth a post of its own. In the meantime, any one have any suggestions?
3 Crossroads // Aug 11, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Looking for extended bird outings? Hands On Shanghai is partnered with the Dongtan reserve.
Volunteers can as part of the duties bird watch.
Requires a weekend stay, but well worth the visit.
http://www.handsonshanghai.com and click on the WWF Dongtan program to learn more.
R
4 cmcelwee // Aug 12, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Thanks Rich! That sounds like a great idea. I was supposed to get out to the Island for a tour a couple of weeks ago, but couldn’t make it. I’m glad to know there are other options.
5 Robert // Nov 17, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Also only seem to see sparrows and the bunvbul you mentioned. Locals seem to call it Bai Tou Weng.
But at night in summer I hear bird song - from greenery on the corner of Hua Shan Lu/Jiang Xu Lu. It is extremely beautiful and continues for hours - wild bird or caged bird?
6 cmcelwee // Nov 17, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hi Robert, Thanks for the comment. I know the spot of greenery you’re talking about. My guess is it was a wild bird, but I don’t know what kind. Regarding the locals name for the Bulbul, what “weng” is that?
7 cmcelwee // Nov 22, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Just to follow up, the “weng” in question is 翁, first tone. It means “old man” alone. Thus the Chinese name for the light-vented bulbul is 白头翁.
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