Chinese Hwamei
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Chinese hwameis have rich brown and ochre plumage; a dusky yellow bill; and strong, yellowish legs. Males and females closely resemble each other, and adults can measure up to nine inches long. Females lay clutches of three to four eggs and are primarily responsible for incubation, a period of about 12 days. They make cup-like nests from leaves, grasses, and other vegetation in small trees and bushes.
Interesting Fact 1
Males sing varied, repetitive, high-pitched songs and females reply with a series of monotonous calls.
Interesting Fact 2
They have a bold white ring around each eye—their name, hwamei, means "painted eyebrow" in Chinese.
Interesting Fact 3
Chinese hwameis, sought for their melodious song, are often trapped as part of the illegal pet and wildlife trade.
Species Survival Plan®
We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
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Animals Depend On People Too
When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.
Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
