Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Larus ("gull") schistisagus ("slate cloak")

Adult Winter Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Spain - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 1-1.7kg  /  Length: 55-68.5cm  /  Wingspan: 132-160cm

ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Slaty-backed Gull is a fairly standard sort of Larus gull visually - pink legs like a Herring Gull and a dark back like a Lesser Black-backed.  What I found fairly striking about the individuals that I got a close look at was how the darkened area around the eye and the fairly stocky build gave it a slight air of aggression that I'd normally associate with something like a Glaucous gull.  When it sits on a post above you, eyeing you up there is a bit of a hint of it trying to decide whether to try and eat you.  I found Slaty-backed Gulls abundant in Hokkaido, replacing the Vega Gulls which had been the most common species in Tokyo.  There was actually within the period I've been making this blog a Slaty-backed visitor to Britain, including visiting the landfill adjacent to Rainham which is a site I've frequented before.  However, given the quality of this view of this species in Japan, I'm glad I didn't bother then.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - オオセグロカモメ  /  ō se-guro kamome  ('large black-backed gull')  

Common Winter Migrant to Hokkaido and Northern Japan

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Abundant on Hokkaido Coast, dozens seen at each of Akkeshi, Kushiro and 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 .

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 .

Large Billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

OTHER NAMES: Jungle Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") macrorhynchos ("great billed")

Adult Large Billed Crow (subspecies C. m. japonensis) at Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, Kyoto, Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis
Weight: 500-700g  /  Length: 46-59cm  /  Wingspan: 104cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Large-Billed Crow found in Japan is sometimes split into a separate species (Corvus japonensis) but as I can currently find fairly minimal support for this, I'm changing this article to reflect the original setup. - either way it is one of the common crows of Japan, being found in a broad range of habitats, both urban and rural much as the Carrion Crow does in Europe, although it also co-exists with that species.  It is pretty much the most easy species to come across in Japan of all birds short of the Feral Pigeon and Tree Sparrow.  Personally, I really like the sound these birds - it is a lot less harsh than that of Carrion Crows and echoes in a pleasing way, although in Japan they are regarded as a nuisance.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. m. intermedius, C. m. tibetosinensis, C. m. mandshuricus, C. m. japonensis, C. m. connectens, C. m. osai, C. m. levaillantii, C. m. culminatus, C. m. colonorum, C. m. macrorhynchos, C. m. philippinus

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ハシブトガラス  /  Hasgi-buto-garasu ("Thick-billed Crow")

Abundant throughout Japan.

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

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Very common throughout Tokyo, Kushiro, Kamakura, Akkeshi and Shiranuka.

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

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Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)

OTHER NAMES: Scaup, Bluebill

Latin Etymology: Aythya (a seabird named by Aristotle) marila ("charcoal" or "coal dust")

Top: Adult Female Greater Scaup (subspecies A. m. marila) on The River Nene at Wellingborough, Northants - January 2011

Bottom: Mixed gender flock of twelve adult Greater Scaup (subspecies A. m. marila) in Shiranuka Harbour, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Aythya marila marila

Weight: 720-1300g  /  Length: 39-56cm  /  Wingspan: 71-84cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Greater Scaup is primarily a Winter visitor to the UK, although it does also breed in tiny numbers. Best looked for relatively near the coast, for more inland sites, look through Tufted Duck and Pochard flocks to spot odd individuals like this one. The main difficulty is that both genders do look similar to tufted ducks (eg. female scaup look similar to female tufted ducks, and males to males), so you may have to look relatively closely to pick one out of the far more numerous tufted ducks.  In Japan during the Winter, finding Scaup is a much simpler affair, as they are one of the most common migrant Winter ducks, and can be found in flocks.  In Japan, I found this a very different affair - I caught glimpses of Scaup on Rivers in Central Tokyo, and encountered a decent sized flock in the town of Shiranuka near to Kushiro.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Aythya
Subspecies: A. m. marila, A. m. nearctica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A generally scarce but locally common breeding species (12000 birds) and rare breeding species (1-5 pairs)

 - A single bird seen on the River Nene in January 2011.

JAPAN - Japanese - Suzu-gamo (スズガモ) - "Bell Wildduck"

Common to locally abundant Winter migrant.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: A few in Central Tokyo and common in Hokkaido, with birds seen at Akkeshi, Kushiro and Shiranuka.

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

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

OTHER NAMES: Goldeneye, Whistler, Cobhead, American Goldeneye

Latin Etymology: Bucephala ("bull headed") clangula ("to resound")

Adult male Common Goldeneye (subspecies B. c. clangula) at Pitsford Reservoir, Northant - February 2022

Featured Subspecies: Bucephala clangula clangula
Weight: 500-1400g  /  Length: 40-52cm  /  Wingspan: 77-83cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Although some birds do breed in Scotland, this is primarily a Winter migrant to most of Britain. The male is a relatively striking bird with the large white spot between it's beak and eye being the easiest way to identify it. Less prominent is the female, which might require slightly more effort to identify as it lacks high contrast plumage, but has a fairly distinct squashed face for a duck.  I found them to be fairly abundant in Hokkaido in particular in Japan, present on the rivers in the Kushiro.

Related Species
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
Subspecies: B. c. clangula, B. c. americana

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding species (200 pairs) and widespread Winter visitor (27,000 birds)

 - Birds seen in Winter at Rutland Water, Pitsford Reservoir and Ditchford Gravel Pits.

JAPAN - Japanese - ホオジロガモ  /  Hō-jiro-gamo ("White-cheeked Duck")

Locally common Winter migrant.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Common on Hokkaido Coast seen at each of Akkeshi and Kushiro.

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

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major)

OTHER NAMES: Pied Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Latin Etymology: Dendrocopus ("tree striking") major ("greater")

Left: Adult female Great Spotted Woodpecker (subspecies D. m. pinetorum) at Warnham, Sussex - March 2015

Right: Adult male Great Spotted Woodpecker (subspecies D. m. japonicus) at Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Dendrocopus major pinetorum AND Dencrocopus major japonicus

Weight: 70-90g  /  Length: 22-23cm  /  Wingspan: 34-39cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a relatively common bird which will sometimes come into gardens. It has distinctive colouration making it easy to spot (compare against the much more difficult to see Lesser Spotted Woodpecker) and hearing a loud tapping call in woodland will very often mean that either this species or the Green Woodpecker will be near. Most easy to photograph at bird tables, or failing that, in Winter when there are no leaves on the trees to block views.  They are found right across Eurasia and I also encountered this species in the centre of the town of Kushiro in Hokkaido.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dendrocopus

Subspecies: D. m. major, D. m. pinetorum, D. m. harterti, D. m. hispanus, D. m. canariensis, D. m. D. m thanneri, D. m. maurittanus, D. m. numidus, D. m. poelzami, D. m. brevirostris, D. m. kamtschaticus, D. m japonicus, D. m. cabansi

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common breeding resident (140,000 pairs)

 - Birds seen at a large number of sites often at feeders, including but not limited to Rutland Water, Regent's Park and Geddington.

JAPAN - Japanese - アカゲラ  /  Aka-gera ("Red Woodpecker")

A fairly widespread resident.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: A single bird seen in Kushiro.

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

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Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Aythya (a seabird named by Aristotle) fuligula ("soot throat")

Adult male Tufted Duck (subspecies Aythya fuligula) at Warnham LNR, West Sussex - February 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 760g  /  Length: 40-47cm  /  Wingspan: 65-72cm

UK AMBER LIST  / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Tufted Duck is the second most numerous of the Duck species found in the UK, and other than the Mallard, one of the few species I regularly see wild in urban parks,  The male is a fairly distinctive bird, with bold white side panels, yellow eyes and a blue tinged beak, while the female, as is usual with ducks, is considerably drabber.  Unlike the Mallard, it is a "diver" rather than a dabbler, and so a little more tricky to photograph as it will regularly vanish beneath the water.  It's worth noting also, that in Winter groups of Tufted Duck may contain the much rarer Scaup, so it is worth giving at least a quick scan.  In Japan in Winter, I found them fairly common again, though the Scaup is much more common there, so a bit more care would have to be taken to make sure you had got the right one.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae 
Genus: Aythya
Subspecies: None - Monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common resident breeding species (16,000-19,000 pairs) and Common Winter Visitor (120,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including Rutland Water, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir, and Eyebrook Reservoir.

JAPAN - Japanese - キンクロハジロ  /  Kin-kuro ha-jiro ("Gold-black White-wing")

Winter visitor.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Seen on river in Kushiro.

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