White-cheeked Starling (Sturnus cineraceus)

OTHER NAMES: Grey Starling, Ashy Starling

Latin Etymology: Sturnus ("starling") cineraceus ("ash grey")

Adult White-cheeked Starling (Sturnus cineraceus) at Kamakura, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 200-735g  /  Length: 28-34cm  /  Wingspan: 57cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The common starling of Japan and East Asia, it is found through Japan, Russia, China and Korea, and migrating to Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand from the colder parts of its range in Winter.  While broadly found in cities, it is no way near as ubiquitous as the Eurasian Starling is in Europe.  It is also a lot more flighty and difficult to see.  I finally managed to get a good view in Kamakura, with this individual perched on a phone line being the only time I got a good view of one, despite numerous sightings of flyovers.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Sturnus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ムクドリ  /  muku-dori  ("muku-bird")  ///  ハクトウオウ /  hakutō-ō ("white-haired grandfather")

Widespread Winter Migrant

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Brief and distant views at Kyoto and Arashiyama

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Seen infrequently in small flocks at Kamakura and Tokyo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Varied Tit (Sittiparus varius)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Sittiparus ("Nuthatch-tit") varius ("diverse or variegated")

 Adult Varied Tit (Poecile varius) in Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Poecile varius varius
Weight: 16-18g  /  Length: 12-14cm  /  Wingspan: 6-7.8cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

The Varied Tit is from a British persons perspective, the most different Tit found in Japan - unlike all the other species it is neither found in Europe, nor, as in the case of the Great/Japanese Tit, have a very similar counterpart.  It is quite a handsome bird, with a terracotta coloured waistcoat like plumage over with blue wings.  I believe it to be fairly common although I only saw it in the Imperial Palace Gardens, but I didn't really have the opportunity to be exploring similar habitats that much.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Sittiparus
Subspecies: P. v. varius, P. v. sunsunpi, P. v. yakushimensis, P. v. amamii, P. v. orii, P. v. namiyei, P. v. owstoni, P. v. olivaceus, P. v. castaneoventris

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese: ヤマガラ / Yama-gara ("Mountain Tit")

Locally common resident

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A single bird at Kyoto.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Japanese Tit (Parus minor)

OTHER NAMES: Oriental Tit 

Latin Etymology: Parus ("tit") minor ("smaller")

Japanese Tit (Parus minor) at Shiranuka, Hokkaido, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: Parus minor minor
Weight: 16g  /  Length: 12.5-14cm  /  Wingspan: 22-25cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

Yet another recent split from a parent species,.the Japanese Tit is essentially the Great Tit of East Asia, essentially looking indistinguishable from them.  They were a fairly common sight in my visits to parks and forests in Japan, and the most common of the tits there.  Apparently both this and the Great Tit coexist without notably interbreeding, but personally, from the admittedly distant views I had of them, I couldn't differentiate the two in the field from the fleeting views I had if both were present.  I saw a few more in Shiranuka in a mixed flock during my second Japan visit.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Parus
Subspecies:  P. m. minor, P. m. tibetanus, P. m. subtibetanus, P. m. nubicolus, P. m. dageletensis, P. m. amamiensis, P. m. okinawae, P. m. nigriloris, P. m. commixtus

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - シジュウカラ / Shijū-kara ("Forty Tit")

Locally abundant resident of rocky coasts.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A number of birds at the Imperial Palace Gardens in Kyoto.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Two birds at Shiranuka.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Zosterops ("Girdle eye") japonicus ("Japanese")

Adult Japanese White-eye (subspecies Z. j. japonicus) outside Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan - December 2014

Features subspecies: Zosterops japonicus japonicus
Weight: 9-13g  /  Length: 11-12cm  /  Wingspan: 15-18cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List Least Concern

The Japanese White-eye is a small warbler like bird found in East Asia.  It is found in both normal rural habitats and parkland, feeding off insects, nectar and fruit.  Widely depicted in Japanese art, it was traditionally kept as a songbird.  Outside of the breeding season it may join with other species in flocks. I saw more on my second trip to Japan, the last of which was this rather showy individual in the trees outside the airport terminals.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Zosteropidae
Genus: Zosterops
Subspecies: Z. j. yesoensis, Z. j. japonicus, Z. j. stejnegeri, Z. j. insularis, Z. j. loochooensis, Z. j. alani, Z. j. daitoensis, Z. j. simplex, Z. j. hainanus

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - メジロ / Me-jiro ("White-eye")

Common resident. 

 - KYOTO 2013 TRIP: Several seen in the Imperial Palace Gardens in Kyoto

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Fairly common in Tokyo with particularly showy individuals in the trees outside Haneda Airport

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Northern Boobook (Ninox japonica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Ninox (former synonym of Nisus - "sparrowhawk") japonica ("Japanese")

Adult Northern Boobook (subspecies N. j. japonica) at Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Ninox japonica japonica

Weight: 165g  /  Length: 29-33cm  /  Wingspan: ?

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

The Northern Boobook is another Japanese species which has recently been split from another species, in this case the Brown Hawk Owl.  From my limited experience of it, it seems to be a fairly common owl that is found in parkland in addition to its normal rural habitat.  It is found through East Asia - from Siberia, China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.  Unlike all of the European Owls, it apparently is an aerial hunter of insects rather than catching things on the ground.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Ninox
Subspecies: N. j. japonica, N. j. totogo

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - アオバズク /  Ao-ba Zuku ("Green-Leaf Owl")

A reasonably common Summer migrant.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A single bird at Kyoto in the Imperial Palace Gardens.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos kizuki)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Dendrocopos ("tree-striking") kizuki (French species name, derived from Japanese)

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker (subspecies - D. k. seebohmi) at Shiranuka, Hokkaido, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: Dendrocopos kizuki seebohmi
Weight: 13-15g  /  Length: 15cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Rd List - Least Concern

The naming of the Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker gives a fairly solid outline for this species, it is a very small woodpecker which lives in Japan and the surrounding parts of Asia.  Beyond that my observations and research of this species has given me fairly little to go on, it's behavior during my my brief sighting was essentially consistent with any other tree climbing species I've encountered.  During my second Japan visit, I encountered two as part of a small flock with Eurasian Nuthatch and Japanese Tit that were far more approachable.

Related Species:
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Dendrocopos
Subspecies: D. k. ijimae, D. k. seebohmi, D. k. amanii, D. k. kizuki

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - コゲラ  /  Ko-gera ("Small woodpecker")

Fairly common resident.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A single bird in Arashiyama.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: A single bird seem in Shiranuka.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Milvus ("kite") migrans ("migrating")

  Black Kite (subspecies M. m. lineatus) at Kamakura, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: Black-eared Kite (Milvus migrans lineatus)

Weight: 560-940kg  /  Length: 48-58cm  /  Wingspan: 130-155cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

Despite it's absence from the UK except as a vagrant, the Black Kite is a massively common bird of prey when viewed on the global level, potentially the most abundant (though not widespread) of all raptors in general.  It is much more of a scavenger than most other birds of prey, which is part of the reason for its comparative success in the modern world.  Black Kites can be found across Europe, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Australia.  In Japan, where I encountered the species they could be spotted circling around the fringes of cities.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Milvus
Subspecies:  M. m. migrans, M. m. lineatus, M. m. govinda, M. m. affinis, M. m. formosanus

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - トビ  /  Tobi  ("Kite")  

Common resident.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Seen at throughout at random times in Kyoto and Osaka

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Abundant at Kamakura, several seen in Tokyo and a number seen at the Akan Crane Centre

SPAIN - Spanish - Milano negro - ("Black Kite")

Scarce and Local Resident

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Seen several times in Madrid and the surrounding farmlands
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Abundant at  Monfrague and seen in numerous places elsewhere.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Japanese Wagtail (Motacilla grandis)

OTHER NAMES: Japanese Pied Wagtail

Latin Etymology: Motacilla ("wagtail") grandis ("large")

 Adult Japanese Wagtail (Motacilla Grandis) in Arashiyama, Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 28-31g  /  Length: 21cm  /  Wingspan: ?
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List Least Concern

The Japanese Wagtail is fills a very similar role to the Grey and Pied Wagtails found in the UK, although it is more closely tied to water than Pied.  It coexists with the Japanese race of the White Wagtail, but they have quite distinct plumage patterns to differentiate the two of them.  Another fairly confiding species, like wagtails in europe it pays fairly little attention to humans down to very short distances.  It apparently favours river habitats with shingled bars in the river, which fits with the locations I saw them.  I didn't encounter this species on my second trip to Japan - this is probably mostly due to lack of appropriate habitat.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Motacilla
Subspecies: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - セグロセキレイ  /  Se-guro sekirei ("Black-backed Wagtail")

Locally common resident to most of Japan, Summer breeding only in most of Hokkaido

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A few birds at Kyoto and Arashiyama.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis)

OTHER NAMES: Rufous Turtle Dove

Latin Etymology: Streptopelia ("collar-dove") orientalis ("oriental")

Adult Oriental Turtle Dove (subspecies S. o. orientalis) at Arashiyama, Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Streptopelia orientalis orientalis
Weight: 165-274g  /  Length: 33-35cm  /  Wingspan: 55cm
NO UK STATUS  / IUCN Red List Least Concern

While it closely resembles the European Turtle Dove, it's role in Japan is more consistent with that of the Collared Dove in the UK - a numerous bird found in parkland and in cities.  As with the collared dove, it is a confiding species which permits close views.  It is found throughout much of East Asia, including Japan.  I saw it a number of times on both my trips to Japan, though generally on both occasions while it was found in the more urban sections of the city, this tended to be alongside to rivers with trees.  At the Monkey Sanctuary of Arashiyama they were a bit bolder, presumably learning to be tame to get a share of the food meant for the monkeys.

Related Species:
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Streptopelia
Subspecies: S. o. meena, S. o . orientalis, S. o. stimpsoni, S. o. orii, S. o . erythrocephala, S. o . agricola

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - キジバト  /  Kiji-bato ("Pheasant Pigeon")

Very common resident. 

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Common throughout Kyoto and Arashiyama

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Fairly common in Tokyo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Brown-Eared Bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Hypsipetes ("high flyer") amaurotis ("brown eared")

Adult Brown-eared Bulbul (subspecies H. a. amaurotis) in Tokyo, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Hypsipetes amaurotis amaurotis
Weight: 30-35g  /  Length: 28cm  /  Wingspan: ?
ABSENT FROM UK  / IUCN Red List Least Concern

The Brown-eared Bulbul is a common but fairly shy species in Japan, while widespread it seems to be heard a lot more than you like to get good views of it, on my first trip to Japan, most of the time I saw them only distantly or heard them in the treetops.  On my second visit they were much more abundant however, and proved to be one of those species that often looked as if they would be something else, but then resulted in frustration when it turned out to be yet another Bulbul. They are thrush sized and fairly raucous, making a lot of loud noise wherever they go.  Apparently they are fairly omnivorous, eating fruits, seeds, insects and whatever else they can get hold of.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Hypsipetes or Microscelis
Subspecies: H. a. hensoni, H. a. amaurotis, H. a .squamiceps, H. a .magnirostris, H. a .borodinosis, H. a. ogawae, H. a. pryeri, H. a. insignis, H. a. stejnegeri, H. a. harterti, H. a. batanensis, H. a. fugensis, H. a. camiguinensis

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ヒヨドリ  /  Hiyo-dori  ("Bulbul")

Abundant resident. 

 - KYOTO 2013 TRIP: Seen often throughout Kyoto and Arashiyama thought never with good views.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Abundant in Tokyo and common in Hokkaido including Akkeshi, Kushiro and Akan Crane Centre

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

OTHER NAMES: Night Heron

Latin Etymology: Nycticorax ("night raven") nycticorax ("night raven")

Adult Black-crowned Night Heron (subspecies N. n. nycticorax) at Kyoto, Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax
Weight: 800g  /  Length: 64cm  /  Wingspan: 112cm
NO UK STATUS  / IUCN Red List Least Concern

The Black-Crowned Night Heron is a medium sized heron with a huge international range, spreading down the entire length of the Americas, and across Eurasia from Iberia to Japan, and from the Nile to South Africa making it one of the most widely distributed species on the planet.  Despite all this, it isn't found in the UK except as a vagrant except for a few feral colonies.  I saw this species in good numbers during my Kyoto trip - this one was showing very well along the Kamo River, and I saw a colony nesting on the edge of Osaka Zoo from the train.  In Europe I saw this species once - a brown juvenile flying along the river beneath Toledo.

Related Species:
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Nycticorax
Subspecies: N. n. nycticorax, N. n. hoactli, N. n. obscurus, N. n. falklandicus

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer: ខ្វែក 

A locally common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Several at Prek Toal

JAPAN - Japanese - ゴイサギ  /  Goi sagi  ("Bittern Heron")

Locally common resident.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Common along the river in Kyoto, a colony seen from the train in Osaka 

MALAYSIA - Malay - Pucung Kuak ("Croak Heron")
Fairly common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen in flyover around Kuala Lumpur

SPAIN - Spanish - Pucung Kuak ("Croak Heron")
Fairly common resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: A single juvenile seen at Toledo
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A single adult seen at Laguna Navaseca

UNITED STATES 
Resident on most coastal areas, breeds inland at lower elevations
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

Further Notes: Birdforum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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