Birds

Birds of Hong Kong

Introduction

Composition of the Birds in Hong Kong

Key Species of Conservation Concern

Conservation Measures

Key Sites for Bird Watching in Hong Kong

Tips and Codes for Watching Birds

References

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Introduction

Although small in area, Hong Kong has more than 570 bird species, representing one third of total species recorded in the whole of China. This diversity is mainly attributable to our geographical location. Situated on the southern coast of China, Hong Kong is blessed with a sub-tropical monsoon climate, which nurtures a host of natural habitats like wetlands, woodlands, shrublands and coastal areas. Hong Kong is also a stopover point along the East-Asian Australasian Flyway, and many migrating birds pass through here on their way south or north – or they spend the winters here. Hong Kong is an ideal location for bird watching, as – in this one small territory – you can observe the varying forms and habits of birds in different sites at various times of the year.

Black-faced Spoonbill

Composition of the Birds in Hong Kong

Click here to download the Checklist of Birds of Hong Kong.

The number of bird species found in Hong Kong is quite staggering. To make the study of avian habits easier, birds are classified by specific criteria. For example, we group species into forest birds (birds active mainly in forests), wetland birds (birds seen mainly in wetlands) and others according to their main habitats. Another method is to classify birds by their migratory habits, i.e. resident species, migrating species, passage migrants and occasional visitors. Birds in Hong Kong are broadly classified as follows.

1. Resident Species

Resident species are birds that normally live and breed in Hong Kong in their entire lives. About one-fifth of birds recorded in Hong Kong are residents. Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Fork-tailed Sunbird, Black-crowned Night Heron and Red-whiskered Bulbul are popular to Hong Kong citizens as they can be commonly seen in urban areas. In rural areas, White-throated Kingfisher and Little Egret can be seen regularly in wetlands. The Japanese Tit and Swinhoe's White-eye are common in Hong Kong woodlands in all seasons.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Oriental Magpie-Robin

Fork-tailed Sunbird

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Little Egret is a resident, nesting and breeding in Hong Kong

2. Migrating Birds and Passage Migrants

The seasonal migration of birds is a behaviour prompted by environmental and climatic changes. As a general rule, birds living in frigid and temperate zones face the problem of unstable food supply due to the significant seasonal climatic changes in these regions. Before the onset of winter (when food is in short supply), they fly south to spend the season in the sub-tropics or tropics. In the following spring when the weather gets warmer, they return to the north to breed. By migrating, they are assured of adequate food and warm sunshine all year round. The migrating route of birds differs with species. Usually birds of the same species form migrating groups by instinct. Waterfowls have the longest flying route.

For migrating birds that fly several thousand kilometres annually, stopover sites where they can feed enroute are vital. These stopover sites, generally situated between their breeding and wintering sites along the flyway, offer essential feeding grounds – where they can stop for a short period to build up body reserve of fat and energy. The Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site is one such stopover site for migrating waders.

Amur Falcon

Daurian Restart

2.2 Summer Visitors

Summer visitors only account for a small portion of the Hong Kong birds. These species usually breed in Hong Kong and then fly south in winter. In the eastern waters of Hong Kong, the Bridled Tern, Roseate Tern and Black-naped Tern can be found breeding on some remote islands, while in woodland areas, Hainan Blue Flycatcher and Chestnut-winged Cuckoo are often heard and seen in summer. A limited number of waterfowls migrate to Hong Kong to breed in summer. One example is the Yellow Bittern, which breeds here between May and August.

Bridled Tern

2.3 Passage Migrants

Located midway in the East-Asian Australasian Flyway, each year Hong Kong is frequented by many passage migrants. Passing through Hong Kong in spring and autumn, these birds only stay for a short while before embarking on their long journey to the south/ north. These migratory species include raptors, waders and passerines such as Chinese Sparrowhawk, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Brown Shrike.

Brown Shrike

3. Occasional Visitors

Some birds, with their natural range marginally touching Hong Kong, occur in Hong Kong occasionally. Examples are Short-eared Owl, Common Shelduck and Slaty-backed Forktail. It takes some luck to spot one of these occasional visitors.

Besides, some birds get lost and stray far from their original flight path or destination during migration due to various reasons (such as poor weather condition), and they are called the vagrants. Examples include the two Siberian Crane appeared in Luk Keng and Mai Po Nature Reserve in 2016, Glossy Ibis found in Long Valley in 2019, and Lapland Longspur found in Long Valley in 2021. This sparked great interest among bird watchers as these vagrants are rare to encounter.

Common Shelduck

Siberian Crane

Glossy Ibis

Lapland Longspur

Key Species of Conservation Concern

Among the birds recorded in Hong Kong, almost 40 species are listed both in the Red List of Threatened Species of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Red List of China's Vertebrates (Near Threatened or above). Among these species, some of them are seen in Mai Po and Deep Bay. Species such as Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Saunders's Gull, Asian Dowitcher, Far Eastern Curlew, and Black-faced Spoonbill, stop over or winter in Hong Kong every year. Another two species listed as lower risk, i.e. Japanese Paradise Flycatcher and Chinese Grassbird, are uncommon passage migrant and resident respectively.

Some species, such as Crested Goshawk, Bonelli's Eagle and Crested Serpent Eagle, have stable populations in Hong Kong. However, they are listed in the Red List of China's Vertebrates as near threatened or vulnerable because of continuing exploitation or habitat loss in Mainland China.

Though not globally threatened, some freshwater wetland specialists, such as Greater Painted-snipe, Grey-headed Lapwing and Northern Lapwing, are regarded as locally concerned species due to their restricted distribution in Hong Kong.

Conservation Measures

All wild birds are protected in Hong Kong by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). Any person who willfully disturbs, takes, removes or injures wild birds, or their nests and eggs, is committing an offence – and is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment of 1 year.

The import, export or possession of endangered species is strictly regulated by the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), which gives effect to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

On 4 September 1995, the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay area was listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention to conserve the large number of birds wintering at the site every year. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is implementing a management plan for the conservation of the site. This includes the Ramsar Site ecological monitoring programme, which collects baseline information on ecological characters of the Ramsar Site annually for conservation and management purposes.

To enhance our understanding of the local avifauna, AFCD has been working with local specialist groups to carry out various studies on birds. In addition, we have also carried out studies on birds of conservation concern, such as White-bellied Sea Eagle, egrets, herons and terns. Results of these studies will enhance our knowledge about these species and facilitate the implementation of conservation measures. For example, suitable nest-boxes are provided for species breeding in Hong Kong, such as forests birds and terns.

Key Sites for Bird Watching in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's very varied physical environments and habitats support great avifauna diversity. Below are some major bird watching hotspots: