There are around 22 Parrotbill species globally and China is home to almost 90% including this Vinous-throated Parrotbill, making the Middle Kingdom a must-visit destination for photographers interested in this family #BirdsSeenIn2026

The Nuthatches of China: 1) Giant 2) Eurasian 3) Chinese 4) Przevalski’s 5) Chestnut-vented 6) Chestnut-bellied 7) Beautiful 8) Velvet-fronted 9) Yellow-billed 10) Yunnan and 11) White-tailed Nuthatch #BirdsSeenIn2026

Blue-fronted Redstart here in the Himalayas posing back-and-front much to the delight of the attending photographers #BirdsSeenIn2026

Wren Babblers of the Himalayas: 1) Rufous-throated 2) Eye-browed 3) Pygmy 4) Mishmi 5) Streaked 6) Bar-winged 7) Long-billed 8) Grey-bellied 9) Scaly-breasted #BirdsSeenIn2026

Mishmi Wren Babbler and his Himalayan habitat #BirdsSeenIn2026

Grey-bellied Wren Babbler singing in the forests of Yunnan Province, China #BirdsSeenIn2026

Fire-tailed Myzornis: the green emerald of the Himalayas #BirdsSeenIn2026

All eight Sibia species globally can be seen in China including this one appropriately named as the Long-tailed Sibia #BirdsSeenIn2026

There are seven true Barwing species globally and six occur in China, making The Middle Kingdom a must-visit location and this Spectacled Barwing with his ivory-rimmed eyeglasses is one of them #BirdsSeenIn2026

White-necklaced Partridge, a China endemic, showing well its priceless jewellery #BirdsSeenIn2026.

Ruddy Kingfisher showing well his scarlet bill, white throat patch and russet coat #BirdsSeenIn2026

Yellow-vented Warbler in full song today showing very well his yellow supercilium and median crown stripe sandwiched between two green lateral stripes #BirdsSeenIn2026

Scarlet Finch: the showstopper of the Himalayas #BirdsSeenIn2026

There are around 75 Laughingthrush species globally and China is home to well over half of that number including this stunning White-crested Laughingthrush photographed here in Yunnan Province #BirdsSeenIn2026

There are around 150 sunbird species globally and this Fire-tailed Sunbird is the longest-tailed of the family as this image taken here in China’s Yunnan Province well demonstrates #BirdsSeenIn2026

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch has different feather structures on its forehead which creates a velvety appearance and its purpose is to provide added eye protection as the bird forages along branches #BirdsSeenIn2026

Grey-backed Thrush performing obligingly for the cameras here in China #BirdsSeenIn2026

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch at point-blank range here in China’s Yunnan Province #BirdsSeenIn2026

China has a couple of tropical regions and Xishuagbanna Prefecture in Yunnan Province is one and is where this image of an Annam Limestone Babbler was taken showing well its black streaks on a white throat, grey flanks and red irises [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

There are over 80 barbet species globally and this Great Barbet photographed here in China’s Yunnan Province is the largest of the family as reflected in this ultra-close photographic encounter #BirdsSeenIn2026.

Spotted Laughingthrush photographed today here in south west China showing well his black cap, yellowish supercilium and white spots on his upperparts #BirdsSeenIn2026

This male Sapphire Flycatcher made a welcome appearance here today in China’s Yunnan Province showing very well his distinctive cobalt-blue colours #BirdsSeenIn2026

Yunnan Province occupies less than 5% of China’s landmass and yet is home to 60% of its avifauna with over 850 bird species including this Streaked Spiderhunter photographed there today, making Yunnan a “must-visit” destination for the bird photographer #BirdsSeenIn2026 .

Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler at point-blank range here today in China’s Yunnan Province #BirdsSeenIn2026

Bronzed Drongo here today in China’s Yunnan Province showing very well his iridescent brassy plumage from which he derives his English name [#BirdsSeenIn2026].

Stripe-breasted Woodpecker performing outstandingly for the paparazzi here today in China’s Yunnan Province [#BirdsSeenIn2026].

Giant Nuthatch, photographed today here in China’s Yunnan Province, the largest nuthatch in the world both by length and mass [#BirdsSeenIn2026].

Himalayan Thrush photographed here today in China’s Yunnan Province whilst foraging on the edge of this clearing [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

Tesias are colourful ground-dwelling warblers, only four species exist globally, and this Chestnut-headed Tesia was photographed here in China’s Yunnan Province [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com, #BirdsSeenIn2026].

Golden-naped Finch showing well here today in China’s Yunnan Province the gilded crown from which he derives his English name [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com, #BirdsSeenIn2026].

A China endemic, classified as vulnerable, and surely one of Yunnan Province’s iconic species this White-speckled Laughingthrush posed exceptionally well for the gathered paparazzi. This individual is a male on account of his blue irises [#BirdsSeenIn2026].

The Bird-Photo-Tour trip report for the Melanesian Region of Oceania covering Papua New Guinea, The Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji is published below consisting of over 150-images from this four-month H2 2025 expedition [https://www.bird-photo-tours.com/report/melanesia/].

Collared Treepie pausing obligingly for the paparazzi here today in China’s Yunnan Province [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com, #BirdsSeenIn2026].

The trip reports for our year end Bird-Photo-Tours to Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji are now published on the link below. Feel free to review the various portraits of East Melanesian birds captured on these bird photography tours [https://www.bird-photo-tours.com/reports/].

Thanks for making 2025 so enjoyable: 1 Hainan Peacock-Pheasant 2 Crimson Shining Parrot 3 Crimson-fronted Barbet 4 Black Scoter 5 Sillem’s Rosefinch 6 Red-collared Myzomela 7 Egyptian Vulture 8 Cloven-feathered Dove 9 Solomons Nightjar 10 Timor Boobook 11 Rufous-headed Tailorbird

Yellow-bellied Flyrobin pauses obligingly here in New Caledonia [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

This endemic New Caledonian Cuckooshrike posed briefly showing well its rufous vent, shoulder and iris alongside its overall slaty-grey plumage [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

Merry Christmas from Bird-Photo-Tours ASIA: this year’s card has a Melanesian feel with from top-left-to-right: Cloven-feathered Dove (New Caledonia), Lesser Frigatebird (Solomon Islands), Coconut Lorikeet (Vanuatu), Taveuni Silktail (Fiji) and Blue Bird-of-Paradise (PNG).

Rennell White-eye: endemic to the Solomons Islands’ Rennell Province, orange bill, yellow below with a narrow blue-grey eye-ring [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin pausing momentarily here in New Caledonia [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

Pacific Reef Heron fishing in the surf here in The Solomon Islands [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

Vanuatu Bird-Photo-Tour Trip Report October 2025: with a special focus on this remote and under-visited country’s endemic and rare resident birds including seabird photography across many of the archipelago’s remote atolls www.bird-photo-tours.com/report/vanua...

Fan-tailed Gerygone (Left: Solomon Islands and Right: New Caledonia). Challenging to photograph as they are constantly on the move but if one is fortunate enough to freeze the action up-close these warblers are in fact very attractive [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

Polynesian Triller generally shows clean white underparts but the subspecies on Fiji’s Viti Levu Island shows bold barring on the underparts as demonstrated by this bird [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

Solomon Islands Bird-Photo-Tour Trip Report September 2025: with a special focus on seabird photography across many of the archipelago’s remote atolls www.bird-photo-tours.com/report/solom...

The Goliath Imperial Pigeon, endemic to New Caledonia, is a heavy-bodied thick-necked bird and in fact the largest member of its genus as this image taken on Grande Terre perhaps illustrates [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

New Caledonian Myzomela (male): scarlet head, black wings, white flanks and surely a stunner [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

The Beach Stone Curlew is less nocturnal than its relatives: this bird was one of a pair that was active after dawn here in the Solomons and behaving somewhat fearlessly, approaching within just a few meters of my position [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

Great Frigatebird is one of the avian photographic delights of a visit to the Solomon Islands. These birds would often fly within just a few meters of our position allowing for ultra-close photographic encounters [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].

A precious moment with a Solomon Islands’ rarity: the Solomons Nightjar. It took a few days of observing it before better understanding its habits and this helped to develop a strategy to photograph it [www.Bird-Photo-Tours.com].