A trait database for Taiwan's breeding birds

This database compiled information from a variety of sources on 24 traits for all breeding birds, including 157 resident and 14 summer visiting species, in Taiwan and surrounding islands. The 24 traits include those related to the movement patterns, morphology, geographic distribution, activity patterns, feeding behaviors, habitat use, and breeding behaviors and strategies of the species. The trait information was obtained not only from published literatures and datasets, but also from unpublished banding records and specimen measurements. The database also contains derived traits, such as elevation and temperature boundaries of species distribution ranges in Taiwan. In addition, structured information on nest characters, which is seldom complied in trait databases, has be made available, for the first time, for the breeding birds in Taiwan. Therefore, so far the most comprehensive trait information provided by this database will allow trait-based research and applications in diverse topics and thus enhance our understanding of the patterns and dynamics of breeding bird diversity and its functions in Taiwan.