Chinese Hwamei Identification

A medium-sized, thrushlike songbird with a stout yellow bill, fan-shaped tail, and pale “spectacle”—a thick baby-blue eyering with a white line extending behind the eye. Upperparts are rusty brown, while wings and tail are darker brown. Rufous crown and breast are finely streaked.

Forages on the ground, feeding mainly on insects. Rich rufous breast gives way to a gray belly.

Forages noisily on the ground, using its stout bill to turn over leaves in search of insects. Native to eastern China and northern Southeast Asia and introduced to the Hawaiian Islands.

Typically inhabits dense undergrowth, where it often remains obscured by vegetation.

Male delivers a loud, melodious song that is one of the best ways to detect this species.

Male delivers a loud, melodious song that often includes mimicry and repeated phrases.