Xinjiang is an exciting place, with great landscapes, deserts, mountains, and fantastic archaeological relics that testify to its role on the old Silk Road.

It also has some great birds. Unfortunately, it has quite a few rather boring ones as well. To illustrate this, I have compiled a post contrasting exciting Xinjiang landscape photos with photos of dull birds.

Take the Twite. eBird somewhat disparagingly — but correctly — calls it a “stout little streaky brownish finch of open, often barren spaces. Easily overlooked.” And yes, “easily overlooked” is a euphemism for “looking boring.”

Or the Booted Warbler. eBird again is not enthusiastic, for good reason: “Rather nondescript … Pot-bellied with short wings and a square-tipped tail. Can be extremely difficult to identify.”

Hume’s Leaf Warbler does not fare much better: “Compact leaf warbler … greenish-gray upperparts, an indistinct crown stripe.” You can almost see the bird photographer turning away from the bird in sheer boredom.

How about Cetti’s Warbler? Again, no relief from boredom. It is a “dumpy and broad-tailed warbler,” according to eBird. Try calling your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife dumpy and see what the result will be. The subsequent eBird remark — “can be quite inconspicuous in dense vegetation” — does not help either.

Of course, Xinjiang also has regular bores that are not particularly distinctive to the province, such as the Common Coot. eBird describes it as a “distinctive stocky waterbird”. There are more exciting things to be called.

And species such as the Mallard are boring simply because they are so easy to see. eBird calls it “generally common and familiar within its extensive range.” There is not much excitement left when the bird is practically throwing itself at you.

Admittedly, I do not think the Common Myna is particularly boring. But the name does suggest that somebody, somewhere, has already made the decision for us.

Finally, if you expect me to list some sparrows, such as the House Sparrow, I have to disappoint you. Sparrows are not as boring as you may think.

Or perhaps they just paid me a higher bribe than the species mentioned above.

Route taken on the birding trip (not by bus)