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Hong Kong is home to different species, including many endangered ones

Hong Kong is an important stopover point for migratory birds escaping the harsh northern winter.

About 465 species have been recorded in Hong Kong, one third of the total number of species found on the mainland.

Among the species found in Hong Kong, about 100 are residents, 120 are winter visitors, 120 are passing migrants and 80 are summer visitors. More than 100 species, some of them highly endangered, breed in the territory.

Hong Kong provides some wonderful places for bird-watching. For example, Mai Po is a restricted area where about 300 species of bird have been recorded. Tai Po Kau, Tsim Bei Tsui, Luk Keng and Long Valley are also frequently visited by bird-watchers.

The second phase of the Hong Kong Wetland Park in Tin Tsui Wai, due to open in a few months' time, will also be a haven for bird-watchers.  You may need a map, a telescope and a reference book so that you can recognise the  birds you see. Also, don't forget to bring some food and water because you may end up having a long walk  through the countryside.

If you want professional help, the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society is a non-profit organisation that provides training courses and guided tours for local bird-watchers.

Common Kingfisher

They  measure about 17cm long with a   body that is mainly blue-green. They have an orange-red breast and belly and a shiny blue section from back to tail. The base of the female's bill is red while the male's  is black.  They usually nest on stream banks or pond  embankments, using fish bones for cushioning.  Photo: Max Willis/WWF (HK)

Great Cormorant

This large, black seabird is about 85cm long with a long hook-tipped bill, white throat and yellow skin on its face. It dives into the water to feed on fish. Many have been domesticated in China and are trained to catch fish. It is often found on rocks and in trees with its wings hanging out to dry.

White-breasted Waterhen

These birds are about 30cm long. The forehead, face, foreneck, breast and abdomen are white, with a bright chestnut vent. They like to hide in bushes and search for food on foot. They cry with a monotonous sound: 'Kee-wak, kee-wak'.

Cattle Egret

This species is about 50cm long and looks hunched when at rest. During breeding it has an unmistakable orange buff. Its legs are sometimes yellowish-green while the bill and facial skin are slightly flushed red. Non-breeding and immature birds are entirely white.

Black-headed Gull

They are about 40cm long with long, white wedges on the forewings. The head of non-breeding birds is white with a dark spot behind the eye. Breeding is occasionally seen in spring, when the bird's head turns chocolate-brown. It has a narrow white eye ring and deep red bill and legs.

Great Egret

As the largest white egret, it measures about 90cm long with  yellowish green  skin on the face, yellow bills and black feet. Breeding birds  have long plumes on their back and black bills. Photo: Leung Wai-ki/WWF (HK)

Black-faced Spoonbill

Characterised by a long bill flattened at the tip to resemble a spoon, this species is about 80cm long.  The adults  are white. They are a highly endangered species, with  more than 24  per cent of the world's population found  in the Mai Po/Inner Deep Bay area. Photo: Leung Wai-ki/WWF (HK)

Pied Avocet

These are 40cm long with an upturned bill,  black and white wings and bluish grey legs.    They like to swim and  make a 'kluut' sound. They feed with a side to side sifting motion of the head. They are winter visitors, with big flocks seen annually in Deep Bay. Photo: Leung Wai-ki/WWF (HK)

Painted Snipe

Distinguished by a buff crown streak, they  are about 24cm long.  Females  have conspicuous white facial markings.  White oval patches  on the sides of their tail  can be seen while in flight. Photo: Leung Wai-ki/WWF (HK)

Pintail

This bird is 50cm long with a long neck, pointed tail and leaden bill. It usually sits high on water. Males are mainly grey with a dark head and clear white breast. The tail feathers are 10cm longer than the females'. The female is a mottled brown with an elegant shape and pointed tail.

Caspian Tern

Measuring about 52cm long, this is a very large tern with a heavy red bill, black on the underside of  the main flight feathers along the outer edge of the wing, with a shallow fork in the tail.  Young  birds have light brown mottling on their upper parts. They are  winter visitors often seen  in the Deep Bay area. Photo: Leung Wai-ki/WWF (HK)

Yellow-crested Cockatoo

This species measures 33cm to 35cm with a white body. They have a  yellow crest and yellow under-surfaces to the wing and tail. The bill is black, the feet are grey and there is a bare, bluish ring around the eyes. They are a highly endangered species, with an estimated global population of 2,500 to 10,000. Photo: Alan Leung/WWF (HK)



A haven for birds