The distribution of a country’s avian fauna is closely linked to its geography, and China provides one of the finest examples of this relationship. The enormous geographic extent and remarkable variation in altitude, climate, topography, and vegetation across China have resulted in an exceptionally diverse bird fauna. The distribution of terrestrial birds is strongly influenced by climatic conditions and geographical barriers. Major mountain systems, plateaus, deserts, river valleys, and climatic gradients act as barriers or ecological boundaries, shaping the movement, distribution, and evolution of bird populations. As a result, distinct biogeographical patterns have developed across different parts of the country.
China is particularly important from a biogeographical perspective because it encompasses two major faunal realms: the Palearctic Realm in the north and much of the high-altitude interior, and the Indomalayan Realm across the warmer southern and southeastern regions. The transition between these realms creates an extraordinary diversity of habitats and bird communities.
For our birding programme, we will primarily concentrate on the Palearctic environments of the Qinghai–Tibet region, particularly the high-altitude landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau. These areas support a highly specialised avifauna adapted to extreme elevations, cold temperatures, open alpine habitats, and rugged mountain terrain. Within the Indomalayan Realm, our focus will extend to southeastern and south-central China, particularly those areas influenced by the Himalayan and associated mountain systems. We will also extensively explore the great mountain ranges of southwestern China, where the convergence of elevation, climate, forest types, and geographical barriers creates some of the richest and most distinctive bird habitats in the country.
Thus, our birding programme is designed to traverse China’s major biogeographical gradients—from the high-altitude Palearctic landscapes of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau to the biologically rich subtropical and montane forests of southwestern and southeastern China. This geographical approach allows us to experience the remarkable variation in China’s avifauna and understand how geography, climate, elevation, and habitat have shaped its extraordinary bird diversity.
