About
Every spring in March and April, the gray-faced buzzards return from the winter to the north and pass through Baguashan. You can see their magnificent figures gliding across the sky of Baguashan. These precious protected bird species that migrated from the south have brought unique natural wonders to Baguashan.
Take advantage of this warm spring season and bring your family and friends to Baguashan to participate in this natural ecological feast!
During this warm spring season, bring your family and friends to Baguashan and participate in this natural ecological feast!
Get to Know the Grey-faced Buzzard
The Charming Star of Eagle Watching at Baguashan
Observe CharacteristicsThe gray-faced buzzard, scientific name Butastur indicus, is a common raptor in the Asian region. Its back is brown, with stripes or spots on its chest, abdomen, and neck. The most distinctive features are its gray face, white eyebrow lines, and black longitudinal lines on its white throat. Adult birds have brown horizontal spots on their chest and abdomen, while black or brown longitudinal spots and a darker brown body color mainly characterize the subadult birds.
- •Male bird: The face is relatively gray, the eyebrow spots are not prominent or absent, and the body color is reddish-brown primarily.
- •Female bird: The top of the head is gray-brown with obvious white eyebrow spots, and the body color is closer to dark-brown.
Interesting NicknamesThe gray-faced buzzard is named after the male bird's gray face and is known as the gray-faced eagle. They fly to the Baguashan and Dadushan area around the Qingming Festival every year, called "Qingming Birds" or "South Road Eagles." The Dajia Tiezhengshan area refers to it as the "Guoxing Bird." The residents of Taitung and Kenting refer to the gray-faced buzzard as the "Houshan bird" because it entered Taiwan from the south of Hualien. In October, it appeared in the Manzhou area of Pingtung and was called the "National Day Bird" because it coincided with National Day or "Manzhou Bird".
Migration JourneyGrey-faced buzzards breed in temperate regions of eastern Asia during summer and prefer to build nests in valleys and forest edges. The female bird focuses on raising chicks, while the male bird captures small amphibians, reptiles, and insects to feed the chicks.
Every September, they migrate southward from their breeding grounds and fly to Southeast Asia via Taiwan for the winter. In the spring of the following year, they return north along the familiar route. Their average migration distance is about 9,000 kilometers, and Taiwan is an important relay station on their migration journey.
Gray-faced Buzzard Migration Route
and Key Eagle Watching Hot Spots
Passing BaguashanIn spring, the gray-faced buzzards will migrate long distances. They will pass through Baguashan between March and April, like a "rest stop" on their northward journey. Thousands of eagles will briefly stop here to replenish their energy before continuing their northward flight. When they fly in groups and use updrafts to hover, forming spectacular "Eagle Rivers" or "Eagle Columns," it is the most exciting season for eagle watching on Baguashan!
Gray-faced Buzzard Migration Route
and Key Eagle Watching Hot Spots
and Key Eagle Watching Hot Spots
Taking Off
In the early morning, the gray-faced buzzards' flock slowly takes off. Due to weak air convection, they flap their wings and make calls to their companions. As the sunlight gradually strengthens, the rising heat forms updrafts, and the eagle flock can spiral with the airflow to form a "taking off" scene.
Roosting
From 3 to 4 pm, the gray-faced buzzards hovered in the air. After indicating the location of their nocturnal habitat, they will fold their wings and quickly land on the upper level of the forest, where they are ready to roost, forming a "landing" scene.
Other Bird Species in Baguashan
Watching the Diverse Raptors Ecology
Besides the gray-faced buzzards, people can watch migratory raptors such as Chinese sparrowhawks and Peregrine falcon on Baguashan every spring and autumn. In addition, crested honey buzzards also appear in spring and autumn, and some populations are resident birds. The crested serpent eagle and the crested goshawk are Taiwan resident birds that people can observe throughout the year. Baguashan has excellent eagle-watching views and a rich ecology. Come and get to know these stunning aerial hunters!
Chinese sparrowhawk
Crested serpent eagle
Crested honey buzzard
Crested goshawk
Peregrine falcon
Photos of Chinese Sparrowhawks and the Crested Goshawk Provided by Teacher Zhi-Dian Wu
Photos of the Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard, and Peregrine Falcon Provided by Photographer Zhi-Hao Gao
Eagle Watching Rules
- •Please do not make loud noises to avoid startling birds and disturbing others' viewing.
- •Please do not litter or climb flowers and trees at will, as it may damage the natural ecological environment.
- •Please do not chase birds excessively, and do not use food or sound to induce them to appear.
- •Please do not capture wild birds or collect bird eggs.
- •Please use natural ambient light and not flash to avoid startling them when shooting birds.
- •Maintain a happy mood and pay attention to your own safety.
Series Activity Location
Must-Visit Spots for Eagle Watching
Baguashan Ecology Visitor Center (Grey-faced Buzzard Exhibition Hall)In addition to providing in-depth information on the Baguashan Range's geology, environment, and biodiversity, the Baguashan Ecology Visitor Center is Taiwan's first dedicated to the grey-faced buzzard. There is also a grey-faced buzzard exhibition hall, which mainly includes ecological and cultural exhibitions of the grey-faced buzzard, the Baguashan geological exhibition zone, and plant explanations to introduce ecological resources. If you can arrange to visit during the itinerary, you can learn more interesting stories about the grey-faced buzzard and Baguashan.
Eagle Watching PlatformLocated on Hugang Road in Changhua City, the Eagle Watching Platform offers the best vantage point for eagle viewing. The valley's terrain allows for observation of grey-faced buzzards as they hunt, land in the afternoon, and take off in the morning. The eagle sculpture at the entrance is striking; you can spot numerous birds, insects, and small animals along the way. If you want to see a grey-faced buzzard in person, the Baguashan Eagle Watching Platform is a must-visit.
Hengshan RegionThe Baguashan is high in the south and low in the north. As a commanding vantage point, Hengshan offers a spectacular view of eagles, taking advantage of updrafts to soar or dive for their prey. The Hengshan Region is the perfect spot for watching gray-faced buzzards, offering clear views of them hunting, taking off, and landing. You can also see other resident birds spotted, including the crested serpent eagle, besra sparrowhawk, and crested goshawk, making it an ideal eagle-watching spot year-round.