Birdwatchers record 152 species in central Taiwan contest

觀鳥者在台灣中部鳥類比賽中記錄到152種鳥類

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The 16th Daxueshan Birdwatching Competition wrapped up in central Taiwan on Saturday, with teams recording 152 bird species during the 24-hour event, per CNA.

Hosted by the Wild Bird Society of Taiwan and the Taichung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Administration, the annual event at Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area is one of Taiwan’s premier birdwatching marathons.

The competition kicked off at 10 a.m. Friday, with 46 teams and 170 participants racing against the clock to identify as many bird species as possible within 24 hours. Teams of three to four people scoured the forests, recording birds by sight and sound along trails that spanned a range of elevations, from lowland broadleaf forests to high-altitude coniferous zones.

Organizers said the area is internationally renowned among birders, often yielding sightings of more than 130 species during the race, including many of Taiwan’s endemic birds. This year, participants recorded 152 species, including 29 endemic species and 43 endemic subspecies.

The marathon format pushed teams to keep going through the night, when nocturnal species such as owls become active. Strict birdwatching ethics were enforced, with participants prohibited from using playback calls or flash photography to attract birds.

Adding a playful twist this year was Taiwan’s first Daxueshan Bird Sound Imitation Competition, which blended science, technology, and performance. The contest featured the SILIC AI bird sound recognition system developed by the Biodiversity Research Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture, per CNA.

Ten finalists, including two elementary school students, advanced to the final round at the Daxueshan Visitor Center. Contestants were tasked with mimicking the call of the Taiwan bamboo partridge, along with those of additional species such as the green pigeon, crested thrush, and black-naped blue flycatcher.

After judging and public voting, Liao Shu-yu (廖述育) from Taichung took first place. Six contestants had their bird call imitations successfully recognized by the AI system, marking a milestone in tech-assisted ecological observation, per CNA.

Judges noted that bird call imitation requires sharp listening skills and attention to rhythm, pitch, and subtle tonal changes, making it a fun and accessible gateway into citizen science.

Organizers said the event continues to grow in popularity, attracting participants from as far as Indonesia and the Philippines. Registration typically fills up quickly each year, reflecting strong interest from both local and international birdwatchers.

Finalists said the experience of competing in the forests of Daxueshan, surrounded by birdsong day and night, made the event both challenging and deeply rewarding, underscoring the importance of conservation and environmental awareness.