Six Common Birds You'll See (and Hear) in Beijing

Whenever I’m walking about, or even just sitting at home, one thing I always pay attention to is what kind of birds I can see or hear.

The thing is, for a long time I didn’t have much of an idea as to what some of these birds were – mainly because a few were so small or well-hidden most of the time. One in particular, the Light-vented Bulbul, had me vexed since I first heard its song way back in 2012.

For years, I had heard it singing in the early morning or late afternoon. The bulbul’s song, a simple “wee-wee-di-wee… wee-wee-di-wee” echoing across the cityscape.

Long story short, I was today-years-old when I finally found what the bird was, thanks to the help of Terry Townshend, who’s been heading up Birding Beijing since 2010. Terry filled me in on a few other common birds you might spot year round in Beijing, some of which (along with their calls, via YouTube) can be found below.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

This little fellow, which you’ll most often hear squeaking away from the treetops, especially if you’re on a quiet stroll through the hutongs in the afternoon, is notorious in China.

Back in 1958, a program to eliminate the “Four Pests” – flies, mosquitos, rats, and sparrows – was initiated due to their effect on agriculture. Sparrows were singled out in particular for their alleged disastrous affects on grain.

The thing was, sparrows also kept bug populations in check, so with the sparrow population decimated by 1959, crops took a hard hit anyways. When Chinese scientists discovered sparrows mostly survived off insects, the program was called off and efforts were made to protect and replenish the population of this tiny bird.

Here's what it sounds like

Crows

So there are actually seven birds on this list, as there are two crow species that call the capital home: the Carrion and Large Billed Crow. It’s pretty simple to tell the difference between these two – one has a kind of stout-looking long bill, and the other doesn’t.

As with most members of the crow family, these birds are mostly scavengers, and are noted by Birding Beijing for being particularly charismatic and curious, sometimes getting into fights with the next bird on this list, the magpie. Their squawks and calls can be heard throughout the city, but are especially common close to the Forbidden City.

Here's what the carrion crow and large billed crow sound like

Oriental Magpie

This subspecies of the Eurasian Magpie and rival of crows is perhaps one of the most territorial birds in the capital. They’re also incredibly smart, believed by some researchers to be the most intelligent of all birds due to them having a brain that’s approximately the same size relative to humans and chimpanzees.

Due to this intelligence, they have an interesting array of habits. They usually forage for food on the ground, but have been witnessed burying food for later use, and even holding “funerals” for dead magpies -- in which they'll encircle the dead bird and mournfully squawk.

Here's what it sounds like

Azure-winged Magpie

This quieter relative of the oriental magpie is named for its light blue wing and tail feathers, and can commonly be found in more quiet spaces like parks and temples. The birds are more social than oriental magpies, often congregating in groups on temple rooftops or in trees.

Here's what it sounds like

Light-vented Bulbul

As was the case with me, you’re more than likely to hear this songbird rather than see it. Known as 白头瓮 baitou weng – literally “white headed old man” – in Chinese, it gets the moniker for the white crown of feathers just behind its eyes.

It’s a common sight in parks and other places with trees, where the bird feeds on berries, vegetables, and insects.

Here's what it sounds like

Hoopoe

One of China's most striking birds, the hoopoe can often be spotted if you’re on the lookout for its distinct plumage – mostly reddish tan with distinct black and white tail feathers and a “crown” which it will pop up when threatened or excited.

Hoopoes can be found mostly in parks – or neighborhoods with densely wooded areas – the birds feed on earthworms and insects they forage for on the ground. Fun fact: they're known to bang insects on the ground to do away with their legs and wings before tossing them in the air and eating them.

Here's what it sounds like

READ: Eight Good-Looking Birds To Spot in Beijing This Spring

Images: Ivan Sjögren, Jim Merritt, Amit Kher & Yasuhiko Komatsu (via ebird.org), CGTN, Hans Veth & ekicousch (via Unsplash)