Being based in, and conducting business in, some of China's largest cities is an exciting, yet stressful occupation and I like to relax by taking a pair of binoculars, getting out into the open air of China's huge countryside, and spending time seeing what birds I can identify. I'm not really a twitcher (one who relentlessly pursues sightings of as many different species as possible)-just happy to get into nature.

In my travels around the country, I listed some of the birds I have identified. This is not a definitive list-more a personal introduction of birds you are sure to see if you keep a look out on your domestic travels.

Tree sparrow

This is one of China's most common birds, hopping about just inches from my feet hoping for a few bread crumbs at KABB in Xintiandi, or dive-bombing into the bushes in spring for a bit of rampant sparrow sex. They always seem so alive and full of joy.

Huamei

The name means "painted eyebrow"--it's quite distinctive. A few pairs of huamei live in the Yu Gardens in the heart of Shanghai, as they no doubt have for centuries, and I love to listen to their singing as the sun goes down.

Chinese thrush

A beautiful, singing bird, lovely to hear in the gardens. Also a culinary delight, I've seen these roasted whole on a stick or even the eggs, hard-boiled and served with salt. I prefer the song.

Magpie robin

Often seen in gardens, and very striking. The male is bold in his black and white plumage.

Red-vented bulbul

These are endemic in south China, often perched on the tops of tree branches. Their mohican crested plumage is a dead giveaway.

Pied starling

This bird is a complete hooligan, a real neighborhood bully. Mugs other birds for their food and has a dreadful squawk. They'd be tattooed triads if they were human.

Greater coucal

Sometimes also known as a magpie-pheasant, this large bird skulks around in smaller leafy trees. Its ever-ascending cry continues up in pitch until it appears the bird may explode, before repeating the cycle all over again.

Black kite

Very rare in Europe, but in Asia they have adapted well to a life of scavenging. A large bird of prey, often to be seen wheeling around skyscrapers of Hong Kong, or fishing in Victoria Harbor.

Great cormorant

Usually a sea bird, but in China is often seen inland. In Guilin City and other inland provinces with large rivers, they are trained by fishermen to catch and retrieve river fish, a large throat chain preventing them from swallowing the fish. After returning with the fish, the bird gets a tidbit as a reward.

Cattle egret

Often seen on the backs of water buffalo hitching a ride, or lazily flying on water. I've even seen these caged in markets and sold as soup base.

Black-capped kingfisher

Unmistakable, with a huge red chili beak. Often seen perching on branches overhanging rivers or ponds. Without warning it explodes into the water and flies back up hurriedly gulping down some unfortunate small fish. Quite deadly and amazingly accurate.

Lesser racket-tailed drongo

I love this bird just for the name, let alone its quite remarkable tail. Common in hilly confines of south China's woods, especially some of the islands in Hong Kong.

Azure-winged magpie

A common bird in north China, especially in Beijing. Quite beautiful plumage and eats the fruits on the top of trees. They make a dreadful racket when they decide to get together and have a tree party, though.

White wagtail

A dainty little bird, always wags its rather long tail furiously up and down when it lands. Runs after small insects and is always entertaining and pretty to watch.

Mandarin duck

One of the most exotic looking birds in the world, and a prized ornamental duck internationally; this is very much a Chinese bird. The male has all the glitter though, while the female is somewhat drab in comparison.

Other exotic birds

Not necessarily rare, (although some are), it's just that you'll need to get out and about a bit more to see these.

Lady Amherst's pheasant

Beautiful, but, its long silver tail makes it an ungainly flyer. This bird literally crashes from tree to tree. The hills and mountains of Yunnan are home to this unforgettable bird.

Goldeneye

A wild duck inhabiting remote streams and rivers.

Peregrine falcon

One of the fastest birds alive, a smallish blue streak that can reach speeds of over 100 km/h diving after smaller birds on the wing. Quite common at parts of the Great Wall, where you can often see them hunting.

Yellow-billed cough

Pronounced 'chuff' not cough--an elegant member of the crow family. These you will see wheeling high above monasteries in northern parts of Yunnan and Tibet.

Mrs. Gould's sunbird

The equivalent of humming birds in the New World. China has several varieties. This is one of the more common, and flits, like a tiny crimson and golden fairy, between flowers to drink nectar, its wings beating so fast you can hardly see them.

Black-necked crane

These birds are lucky omens and part of Chinese folklore. You can see their images carved on marriage beds as these cranes mate for life. They winter in north Yunnan after breeding in Siberia and grow as tall as a man.