Blue and White Flycatcher（Cyanoptila cyanomelana）
Another in my occasional series of local species not well known outside the region...........
This is one of my faves, a summer visitor that arrives in south Hokkaido in late April and early May. The males are stunning birds as you can see.
It breeds in Japan, Korea and parts of Russia and China and winters in SE Asia. It is the only member of its genus and there are 2 subspecies, the Japanese one is C.c.cyanomelana.
They are a common visitor to the parks in Hakodate in early May. They look even better among the cherry blossoms. This must be a 2nd year male just moulting into full adult colours.............
The females are rather dowdy in comparison...............
They breed commonly in Onuma but are difficult to photograph in the forest as they are very active and stay up in the canopy. On passage in town they are tired and don't dash around so much...............
They pass through town again in autumn but are not exhausted after crossing the straits and also tend to get lost in the greenery so I don7t see (let alone photograph) them much...................
Super report and beautiful pics. I'll be looking for them in Niigata this weekend. It's the best time to get a clear shot of them here too...if they're around.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Russell, I guess the spring migrants get there a little earlier. I saw my first Swallows and House Martins a couple of days ago mind you..................
DeleteThey are a beautiful flycatcher Stu. Such vivid shades of blue. I think I'd quickly fill up a card with those in Spring.
ReplyDeleteHi Phil, they look even better in real life, photos don't seem to do them justice.
DeleteProbably my favourite of your speciality species :) Britain lacks good blue birds!
ReplyDeleteHi, actually we have several blue birds. We don't have Blue Tits though.............
DeleteBluetits are cute, but not blue enough for my taste! :)
DeleteB & W Flycatcher is a passage migrant here in Hong Kong. Some have been seen this month but not yet by me.
ReplyDeleteI mainly see them on passgae too John: they breed in the forests and I don't venture into them much in summer (mozzies being the main reason).
DeleteGreat shots of the flycatchers again! Still no Narcissus?
ReplyDeleteHi Ayuwat, these are all old photos from last year mainly.
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