Species: Jynx torquilla

English Name: Eurasian Wryneck

Chinese Name: 蟻鴷

Family: Picidae

Description:

The Eurasian Wryneck is a small woodpecker (16-17 cm) with a long tail and a short, pointed bill. He has the ability to turn his heads through almost 180 degrees. The plumage is patterned with brownish and grey tones and has a darker band on the mantle and through the eye. It occurs in Macao as a winter visitor.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative... Read more »

Species: Ceryle rudis

English Name: Pied Kingfisher

Chinese Name: 斑魚狗

Family: Alcedinidae

Description:

Black and white, medium-sized (25-31 cm long), crested kingfisher with a black stout bill and black legs and feet. The head has a black cap and eye mask with a white supercilium. Below, the plumage is mainly white with a double black breastband (males) or a single, sometimes broken, breastband (females). It is a Macao resident and can be found in pairs or small family groups foraging over the water.

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References:

– Department of Gardens... Read more »

Species: Alcedo atthis

English Name: Common Kingfisher

Chinese Name: 普通翠鳥

Family: Alcedinidae

Description

The Common Kingfisher is a small kingfisher (16-20 cm) with a long black bill (with an orange base on females) and red feet and legs. Plumage is mainly orange-rufous underparts and blue upperparts, with a white throat and neck patch. This Macao resident can be found in a variety of wetlands on the territory.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Institute... Read more »

Species: Halcyon pileata

English Name: Black-capped Kingfisher

Chinese Name: 藍翡翠

Family: Alcedinidae

Description:

The Black-capped Kingfisher has 28-30 cm in length. The stout bill, legs and feet are red. Adult have a black head, white collar, throat and breast, rufous underparts and blue on the back and tail. Wings are blue, black and white.  Is occurs in Macau as a winter visitor.

1 Photo/image copyright protected

2 Photo used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Institute for... Read more »

Species: Halcyon smyrnensis

English Name: White-throated Kingfisher

Chinese Name: 白胸翡翠

Family: Alcedinidae

Description:

This large kingfisher (27-28 cm) has a large, stout, dark red bill and red legs and feet. Adults have a prominent  white patch on the chin and breast that contrast with the brown plumage on head and belly, wings, mantle and tail are mainly blue. It occur in a variety of habitats, from wetlands to city parks, and is a resident in Macao.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs... Read more »

Species: Eurystomus orientalis

English Name: Oriental Dollarbird

Chinese Name: 三寶鳥

Family: Coraciidae

Description:

This medium-sized bird (27-32 cm) has long wings and short neck and tail. Legs and feet are red and the bill is red with a black tip. The plumage is black on the head, side-neck and tail and the rest is blue and green. It occurs in Macao as a passage migrant.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Institute for Endangered Animals.... Read more »

Species: Apus nipalensis

English Name: House Swift

Chinese Name: 小白腰雨燕

Family: Apodidae

Description:

This species is similar to the Fork-tailed Swift but is smaller (12-15 cm), slightly forked tail and broader wings. The plumage is black with a white rump. Bill, legs and feet are black. It is a common resident in Macau.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Institute for Endangered Animals. (2010). Birds of Macao. Macao, SAR: Author.

Species: Apus pacificus

English Name: Fork-tailed Swift

Chinese Name: 白腰雨燕

Family: Apodidae

Description:

The Fork-tailed Swift has 17-18 cm in length and a deeply forked tail. Bill, legs and feet are black. Plumage is mainly black with a white rump band and heavily marked underparts. This is a strong migratory swift who spends most of their live in open-air space. It occur in Macao a a passage migrant.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Institute... Read more »

Species: Glaucidium cuculoides

English Name: Asian Barred Owlet

Chinese Name: 斑頭鵂鶹

Family: Strigidae

Description:

Small (22-25 cm), short winged owl with yellowish eyes, bill, feet and legs. Head, neck, breast and upperparts are brownish and below it is white with brown-rufous patterns. It is a Macao resident.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Institute for Endangered Animals. (2010). Birds of Macao. Macao, SAR: Author.

Species: Bubo bubo

English Name: Eurasian Eagle Owl

Chinese Name: 鵰鴞

Family: Strigidae

Description:

The Eurasian Eagle Owl is the largest owl in China, with 56-75 cm length. It has distinctive feathered  legs and prominent ear tufts. Plumage is brown with black patterns on the mantle and covers and whitish streaked black on the breast and belly. It is occasional found in Coloane.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Institute for Endangered Animals. (2010). Birds... Read more »