Yellow-crested Cockatoo (小葵花鳳頭鸚鵡)
Cacatua sulphurea

Description:
An introduced species, endangered in its native range, East Timor & Indonesia, found in Happy Valley & Pok Fu Lam. A medium-sized cockatoo with a yellow crest, white plumage & yellow cheek patches. The female eyes are red, the males’ are black. They eat seeds, buds, fruits, nuts & herbaceous plants.

More information about Yellow-crested Cockatoo:

1. Wikipedia - “Yellow-crested Cockatoo”

2. 港識多史 - 〈【香港雀鳥】小葵花鳳頭鸚鵡 因戰爭重獲新生？〉

3. The University of Hong Kong - "HKU biologist reveals important role cities play in conservation of threatened species - Hong Kong home to Critically Endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo”

4. Goldthread - “How an endangered cockatoo took over Hong Kong”

5. Panda blog @WWF HK - “Species for Sale: Yellow-crested Cockatoo”

6. Zolima City Mag - “The Foreign Origins and Uncertain Future of Hong Kong’s Cockatoos”

7. White Cockatoo - “Yellow-crested Cockatoo”

Crested Myna (八哥)
Acridotheres cristatellus

Description:
All black with a tuft of crown feathers and white patches under its wings. One of our native bird species, commonly seen in the countryside and urban areas. An omnivorous bird which eats insects, fruits, carrion and refuse.

They are often found on the rooftop of our campus.

More information about Crested Myna:

1. Wikipedia - “Crested Myna”

2. HKBIS - “Crested Myna”

3. Fauna@PolyU - “Crested Myna”

Red-whiskered Bulbul (紅耳鵯)
Pycnonotus jocosus

Description:

Considered as pest birds in many agricultural regions around the world. But in our city, it is one of the important seed-dispersal agents. In SPSS, we usually see this bulbul sing on a tree branch or the rooftop of our campus building and sometimes prey on insects like crickets and cockroaches.

More information about Red-whiskered Bulbul:

1. Global Invasive Species Database - "Pycnonotus jocosus"

2. 紅耳鵯BB成長日記者@香港天文台

3. 臺灣外來鳥監測網 -〈 紅耳鵯〉

4. Forktail 13  - "Frugivory and seed dispersal by birds in Hong Kong shrubland” (By R. T. Corlett)

5. Ornithol Sci 3 -“Invasive birds in Hong Kong, China”(by Richard Ichard T. Corlett)

Black Kite (黑鳶/麻鷹)
Milvus migrans

Description:

One of our common raptors, with dark brown plumage, yellow cere and gape and a black bill. In urban areas, they are often seen hovering in the sky. A detritivorous bird species that eats carrion and refuse and sometimes hunts birds, bats and rodents.

More information about Black Kite:

1. Wikipedia - "Black Kite"

2. HKBIS - "Black Kite"

White Wagtail (白鶺鴒)
Motacilla alba leucopsis

Description:

Amur Wagtail, the subspecies that is commonly found in Hong Kong. It often appears in the countryside and sometimes in urban areas. A carnivorous bird that eats insects, snails and crustaceans. We often see them in our school playground when there are no students.

More information about White Wagtail:

1. Wikipedia - “White Wagtail”

2. eBird - “White Wagtail (Chinese)”

3. HKBIS - “White Wagtail”

4. Birding World - "The Amur Wagtail in County Durham – a new Western Palearctic bird” (by Stephen Addinall)

Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler (棕頸鈎嘴鶥)
Pomatorhinus ruficollis

Description:

An exotic woodland bird, native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam. Naturalised in Hong Kong. An Omnivorous bird that eats insects, fruits and seeds. We rarely see them in our campus. 

More information about Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler:

1. HKBIS - “Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler”

2. eBird - “Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler”

Oriental Magpie Robin (鵲鴝)
Copsychus saularis

Description:

One of the common bird species in Hong Kong, native to Southeast Asia. While male birds have glossy bluish-black upperparts, head & throat & white underparts & shoulder patches, female birds are greyish-black & greyish-white. An omnivorous bird which eats fruits, insects and invertebrates.

More information about Oriental Magpie Robin:

1. Wikipedia - “Oriental Magpie-Robin”

2. eBird - “Oriental Magpie- Robin”

3. 臺灣國家公園生物多樣性資料與知識平台- 〈鵲鴝〉

4. Hong Kong Biodiversity Database - "Oriental Magpie Robin”

5. Birds of the World: A visual encyclopedia - “Oriental Magpie-Robin”

Spotted Dove (珠頸斑鳩)
Spilopelia chinensis

Description:
Chinese Dove, the subspecies of spotted dove that is widely distributed in Hong Kong. A herbivorous bird with a greyish head, pink-grey underparts and a black collar with white spots. Often seen near human habitation and searching for food on the ground. They eat seeds, grains and fruits.

More information about Spotted Dove:

1. HKBIS - “Spotted Dove”

2. Wikipedia - “Spotted Dove”

3. ebird - “Spotted Dove”

Red-billed Blue Magpie (紅嘴藍鵲)
Urocissa erythroryncha

Description:

A native bird species with a black head, greyish blue upperparts, white underparts, a long tail and reddish orange bill and legs. Adapted to the urban environment of Hong Kong. An omnivorous bird that eats small vertebrates, such as young birds, bird eggs, invertebrates, fruits and seeds.

Red-billed Blue Magpie is one of our school’s visitors. They are not afraid of getting closer to human habitation. When people enter their territories or are getting close to their nests, this bird species will attack humans.

More information about Red-billed Blue Magpie:

1. HKBIS - “Red-billed Blue Magpie”

2. Wikipedia - “Red-billed Blue Magpie”

3. 東方日服﹕天水圍憤怒鳥 兇襲途人嫩B中招

4. Bird Ecology Study Group - “Blue Magpie eating Red-whiskered Bulbul”

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (樹麻雀)
Passer montanus

Description:

Our most common bird species with a chestnut crown and white cheeks with a black dot. A gregarious and omnivorous species, rural in Europe, but well adapted in urban areas of Hong Kong. They eat grains, seeds, berries, insects and the leftovers.

One nest of the Tree Sparrow was found in SPSS. In HK, they tend to build their nests on the external structure of buildings and sometimes reuse them. We should live in harmony with and protect the birds, since their population is a good indicator of the general condition of our biodiversity.

More information about Eurasian Tree Sparrow:

1. HKBIS -  “Eurasian Tree Sparrow”

2. Wikipedia - “Eurasian tree sparrow”

3. Bird Life Asia - “Urban Tree Sparrows: throng in Hong Kong”

4. Heliyon - "Ecological connectivity networks in rapidly expanding cities” (by Amal Najihah M.Nor, RonCorstanjea, Jim A.Harris, Darren R.Grafiusa, Gavin M.Siriwardena)

5. Birds of the World - An Online Bird Book - “SPARROWs”

6.“Comparative study of Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus nest site, reproductive timing and nest distribution between urban and rural sites” (Written in Japanese, by Takahiro KATO, Shin MATSUI, Satoe KASAHARA, Gen MORIMOTO, Osamu K. MIKAMI, Keisuke UEDA)

7. RSPB - “Tree Sparrow Conservation -Advice for Farmers”

8. Saga - “The tree sparrow”

9. “Investigating a cause for the decline of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow population in Japan: low nest density in new residential construction” (Written in Japanese, by Osamu Mikami, Katsura Mikami, Shin Matsui, Gen Morimoto, Keisuke Ueda)

Black-collared Starling (黑領椋鳥)
Gracupica nigricollis

Description:

One of the common residents in Hong Kong, characterised by its black collar on neck, dark-brown back and wings, white underparts and ear patches covered with yellow naked skin. An omnivorous bird which eats insects, earthworms, fruits and seeds. They can be found in urban areas and the countryside.

More information about Black-collared Starling:

1. HKBIS - “Black-collared Starling”

2. eBird - “Black-collared Starling”

3. Wikipedia - “Black-collared Starling”

Red-billed Starling (絲光椋鳥)
Spodiopsar sericeus

Description:

One of our common winter visitors, which is native to southern and southeastern China and often found in the countryside. They are omnivorous that eat fruits, insects and nectar. They are sometimes found on the rooftop of our campus in the winter.

More information about Red-billed Starling:

1. HKBIS - "Red-billed Starling"

2. eBird - "Red-billed Starling"

Oriental Magpie (普通喜鵲/東方喜鵲)
Pica serica

Description:
One of our common magpie species in Hong Kong which is distinguished by its glossy black head, neck and breast, white belly, black wings glossed with green and blue and a long tail. It is a native species that eats invertebrates, bird eggs, young birds, fruits, carrion and refuse.

More information about Oriental Magpie:

1. HKBIS - “Eurasian Magpie”

2. Wikipedia - “Oriental Magpie”

3. eBird - “Eurasian Magpie”

4. 明報 - 喜鵲分佈範圍30年減70% 觀鳥會籲加強保育開闊原野環境

Chinese Bulbul (白頭鵯)
Pycnonotus sinensis sinensis

Description:

One of the subspecies of Light-vented Bulbul, commonly found in urban areas and the countryside of Hong Kong. Its back and wings are yellowish green and it has a large white patch covering its nape and the sides of the black head. It mainly eats fruits and sometimes insects.

More information about Chinese Bulbul:

1.  HKBIS - “Chinese Bulbul”

2. Wikipedia - "Light-vented Bulbul"

3. eBird - "Light-vented Bulbul"

4. Trees and Birds at CUHK - "Light-vented Bulbul"

Eurasian Woodcock (丘鷸)
Scolopax rusticola

Desciption:

One of our winter visitors, commonly found in the countryside. Its cryptic camouflage enables itself to hide in the woodland habitat. A carnivorous bird that eats earthworms, insects and invertebrates. It is abnormal to see them in urban areas.

More information about Eurasian Woodcock:

1. HKBIS - “Eurasian Woodcock”

2. Wikipedia - “Eurasian Woodcock”

3. Biological Conservation 122 - "Habitat selection of the Eurasian woodcock in winter in relation to earthworms availability” (by Olivier Durieza, Yves Ferrand, Franc¸oise Binet, Eve Corda,Franc¸ois Gossmann, Herve´Fritz)

Cinereous Tit (蒼背山雀)
Parus cinereus

Description:

A common woodland bird in Hong Kong, sometimes found in urban parks. Its grey back & white underparts are the characteristics that distinguish it from the Great Tit (green back & yellow underparts). This carnivorous bird mainly preys on insects, especially caterpillars, and sometimes eats fruits.

More information about Cinereous Tit:

1. Wikipedia - “Great Tit”

2. HKBIS - “Cinereous Tit”

3. University of Cambridge - “Watching TV helps birds make better food choices”

4. Wikipedia - “Cinereous Tit”

5. Fauna@PolyU - “Cinereous Tit”

6. Common Wild Birds Seen in Urban Parks - “Great Tit”

Feral Pigeon
Columba livia 

Description:
Same species as the rock dove and the domestic pigeon. This subspecies, with more diverse plumage colours and patterns than their ancestors’, is well-adapted in the built environment of the urban areas which simulate their wild ancestors’ natural habitat. They eat grains, seeds, fruits and breadcrumbs.

More information about Feral Pigeon:

1. HKBIS - “Domestic Pigeon”

2. Wikipedia - “Rock Dove”

3. “European Red List of Birds 2015”

4. Nature Mapping - “Rock Dove / Pigeon”

5. Wikipedia - “Feral Pigeon”

6. No Feeding of Wild Animals and Feral Pigeons (by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)

7. Discover Wildlife - “Feral pigeon: flying rat or urban hero?”

8. “Dietary Habits of Urban Pigeons (Columba livia) and Implications of excreta pH–A Review” (by Dirk HR Spennemann, Maggie J Watson)

9. “Do trace metals select for darker birds in urban areas?.An experimental exposure to lead and zinc” (by Marion Chatelain, Julien Gasparini, A Frantz)

Swinhoe's White-eye( 暗綠繡眼鳥)
Zosterops simplex

More information about Swinhoe's White-eye:

1. eBird - “Swinhoe’s White-eye”

2. HKBIS - “Japanese White-eye”

4. Wikipedia - “Warbling white-eye”

5. Wikipedia - “Swinhoe's white-eye”

6. Bird Korea - “Another New Identification Challenge: Warbling and Swinhoe’s White-eyes” (by Nial Moores)

7. Bird Ecology Study Group - “White-eye for ID – Swinhoe’s White-eye?” (by YC Wee)

Asian Koel(噪鵑)
Eudynamys scolopaceus

Large-billed Crow(大嘴烏鴉)
Corvus macrorhynchos

House Swift(小白腰雨燕)
Apus nipalensis

Eastern Buzzard(普通鵟)
Buteo japonicus

Crested Goshawk (鳳頭蒼鷹)
Accipiter trivirgatus

Chestnut Bulbul (栗背短腳鵯)
Hemixos castanonotus

Crested Serpent Eagle (蛇鵰)
Spilornis cheela

Common Emerald Dove (翠翼鳩/綠翅金鳩)
Chalcophaps indica

False Tiger Moth (豹尺蛾)
Dysphania militaris

Description:

Found at our school playground. A very colourful moth, native to Southeast Asian countries, like China India, Myanmar, Andaman Islands, Sumatra and Java. This locally common moth is usually mistaken for a butterfly. Not like many other geometer moths, this species is diurnal.

More information about False Tiger Moth:

1.HKBIS - “False Tiger Moth”

2. Wikipedia - “Dysphania militaris”

3. The Daily Star - “Creatures of Bangladesh: False Tiger Moth”

Chequered Snout  (白斑黑野螟蛾)
Pygospila tyres

Dasyboarmia subpilosa
Dasyboarmia subpilosa

Hypospila bolinoides (溝翅裳蛾)
Hypospila bolinoides

Clouded Tiger Moth (藍老虎飛蛾)
Creatonotos transiens

Banyan Tussock Moth(透翅毒蛾)
Perina nuda

Emerald Moth(樟翠尺蛾)
Pelagodes antiquadraria

Ailanthus Defoliator(水仙夜蛾/ 臭椿皮蛾/
旋瘤蛾)
Eligma narcissus

Choreutis sexfasciella (六帶桑舞蛾)
Choreutis sexfasciella

Brunia antica(安土苔蛾)
Brunia antica

Euproctis nigricauda (橙黃毒蛾)
Euproctis nigricauda

Pale Tussocl Moth (麗毒蛾)
Calliteara pudibunda

Diamondback Moth (小菜蛾)
Plutella xylostella

Blue Marsh Hawk (黑尾灰蜻)
Orthetrum glaucum

Description:
One of the common dragonflies in Hong Kong. While a mature male has a blue body, the female’s is golden brown. But sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish the female from the male, since the colour of the young male’s body is similar to the female’s.

More information about Blue Marsh Hawk:

1. HKBIS - “Common Blue Skimmer”

2. Hiking Hong Kong - “Orthetrum glaucum”

3. Wikipedia - “Orthetrum glaucum”

Red-based Jezebel (報喜斑粉蝶)
Delias pasithoe

Description:
One of the locally common butterflies with a large yellow patch and a basal red mark on the underside of hindwing. While the male’s forewing is black, the female’s is brownish-black. Can be seen throughout the year in our city.

More information about Red-based Jezebel:

1. HKBIS - “Red-based Jezebel”

2. Wikipedia - “Delias pasithoe”

3. Hong Kong Lepidopterists' Society - “Delias pasithoe”

Great Egg-fly (幻紫斑蛺蝶)
Hypolimnas bolina

Description:
A common butterfly species in Hong Kong that can be seen throughout the year. While the male has three pairs of spots surrounded by purple iridescenece on the upperside of its black wings, the female does not have these spots on its brownish black wings.

More information about Great Egg-fly:

1. HKBIS - “Great Egg-fly”

2. Wikipedia - “Hypolimnas bolina”

3. Hong Kong Lepidopterists' Society - Hypolimnas bolina

Common Mormon Swallowtail (玉帶鳳蝶)
Papilio polytes

Tailed Jay(統帥青鳳蝶)
Graphium agamemnon

Common Jester (散紋盛蛺蝶)
Symbrenthia lilaea

Plains Cupid (曲紋紫灰蝶)
Luthrodes pandava

Staff Sergeant(異紋帶蛺蝶)
Athyma selenophora

Common Jay (木蘭青鳳蝶)
Graphium doson

Bamboo Treebrown (長紋黛眼蝶)
Lethe europa

Calloptera asteria (星棒毛實蠅 )
Calloptera asteria

Potter Wasp(黃胸泥壺蜂/黃錐華麗蜾蠃)
Delta pyriforme

Lychee Stink Bug
Tessaratoma papillosa

Southern Green Stink Bug (稻綠蝽)
Nezara viridula

Allotraeus rufescens (東亞纓天牛)
Allotraeus rufescens

Adanson's House Junping Spider (安德遜蠅虎)
Hasarius adansoni

Giant Asian Mantis(勇斧螳)
Hierodula membranacea

Acheron longus (Owlfly)(色鋸角蝶角蛉)
Acheron longus

Lesser Banded Hornet(大褐胡蜂/黃腰胡蜂)
Vespa affinis

Asiatic Honeybee (東方蜜蜂)
Apis cerana

Soliid Wasp (炫長腹土蜂)
phalerimeris phalerata

Giant African Snail (非洲大蝸牛)
Achatina fulica

Asian Trampsnail (同型巴蝸牛)
Bradybaena similaris

Masked Palm Civet (果子狸/白鼻心)
Paguma larvata

Parasitic Tri-vein Fern (華南毛蕨)
Christella parasitica/Cyclosorus parasiticus

Chinese Banyan (細葉榕)
Ficus microcarpa

Lilac Tasselflower(一點紅)
Emilia sonchifolia

Artillery Clearweed (小葉冷水花)
Pilea microphylla

 Mascarene Island Leaf Flower (纖梗葉下珠 / 五蕊油柑)
Phyllanthus tenellus

Trailing Daisy (南美蟛蜞菊)
Sphagneticola trilobata

Description:

An exotic perennial, native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It is naturalised in Hong Kong and is often used as an ornamental ground cover.

More information about Trailing Daisy:

1. Wikipedia - “Sphagneticola trilobata”

2. HKBIS - “Wedelia trilobata”

Rose Apple (蒲桃)
Syzygium jambos

Description:

A locally naturalised species, originated in Southeast Asia and often used as an ornamental and cultivated fruit tree. It has simple lanceolate leaves and four-petal white flowers with many long stamens. The lanceolate leaves turn from red into deep green when reaching their full size. It usually flowers around March and April and fruits during the transition from autumn to winter.

More information about Rose Apple: 

1. Wikipedia - “Syzygium jambos”

2. HKBIS - “Rose Apple”

3. Medicinal Plant Images Database - “Putao”

4. Biodiversity Ireland - "Pollinator friendly planting code - professional planting recommendations” (by National Biodiversity Data Centre)

Royal Poinciana (鳳凰木)
Delonix regia

Description:

An exotic tree species introduced from Madagascar as an ornamental tree in Hong Kong and distinguished by its bipinnate leaves and flowers with 4 red petals and a yellow and white spotted standard petal. It flowers from June to July. Its flowers and seeds are toxic to humans and animals.

Royal poinciana trees are always seen in less crowded urban areas. This species needs more horizontal space for its roots to grow for securing its large canopy.

More information about Royal Poinciana:

1. Wikipedia - “Delonix regia”

2. HKBIS - “Flame Tree/ Flame of the Forest”

3. 認識植物網 - 〈鳳凰木〉

4. Zolima Citymag - “Hong Kong Flora: The Story Behind Hong Kong’s Flamboyant Flam Tree”

Indonesian Cinnamon (陰香)
Cinnamomum burmanni

Manglietia Glauca (灰木蓮)
Manglietia glauca