[3] The Taiwan whistling thrush was collected by Robert Swinhoe and described as Myiophoneus insularis by John Gould in 1862.

[4] Swinhoe called it the "Formosan cavern-bird" because it inhabits the dark, forested ravines in the mountains.

[5] It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Malabar whistling thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii).

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Its eyes are deep red, and its lores, bill and legs are black.

[6] The diet consists of shrimp, earthworms, insects, frogs, reptiles, and fish,[8] obtained by foraging in or near streams.

[7] The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed M. insularis to be of least concern.

Its population is estimated at 10,000 to 100,000 breeding pairs and is suspected to be decreasing due to habitat destruction.