Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris)

OTHER NAMES: Japanese Gull, Temminck's Gull

Latin Etymology: Larus ("gull") crassirostris ("heavy billed")

Adult Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) with Vega Gull and Japanese Cormorants at Kamakura, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 430-640g  /  Length: 46cm  /  Wingspan: 126-128cm

ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Black-tailed Gull is the most common large gull of Japan, it is resident all year while the other Larus species are largely Winter visitors.  They are a fair bit smaller than Herring-gull types however, probably a little closer to the Common Gull.  In Japan they are known as "umi-neko" which means "sea-cat" due to their cat like call.  I glimpsed a few of what was almost certainly this species from the train during my first visit to Japan, but had clearer views of them in the Tokyo area.  They were not in evidence in the sites we visited in Hokkaido, presumably replaced by the four larger Larus species that were.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Subspecies: None (Monotypic)

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese: ウミネコ / umi-neko ("Sea-cat")

Widespread and Fairly Common Coastal Resident

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Seen distantly from the bridge approaching the airport at Osaka

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Several seen at Kamakura and a single bird at Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

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 .

Asian House Martin (Delichon dasypus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Delichon (anagram of genus Chelidon) dasypus ("hairy footed")

 Adult Asian House Martin (subspecies D. d. dasypus) at Arashiyama, Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Delichon dasypus dasypus
Weight: 15-18g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

As the name suggests, the Asian House Martin is very similar to it's European equivalent in both form and habit. As with our local species, it is a Summer migrant, and thus we only encountered them on our original Kyoto/Osaka trip.  Unfortunately, as with any hirundine in flight, photographing them is very difficult and this was made more difficult by a mechanical problem with my camera at the time, meaning this terrible shot is the only one I managed.  Hopefully, a future trip will remedy that.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Delichon
Subspecies: D. d. dasypus, D. d. cashmiriensis

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - イワツバメ  /  Iwa-tsubame ("Rock Swallow")

A common Summer migrant.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A common bird in Kyoto, Arashiyama and Osaka

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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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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White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

OTHER NAMES: Pied Wagtail, Water Wagtail
Latin Etymology: Motacilla ("wagtail") alba ("white")

Adult White Wagtail (subspecies M. l. yarrelli - Pied Wagtail) at Pitsford Reservoir, Northants - December 2014

Adult White Wagtail (subspecies M. a. lugens - Black-backed Wagtail) at Akkeshi, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Motacilla alba yarrellii & Motacilla alba lugens

Weight: 25g  /  Length: 16.5-21cm  /  Wingspan: 25-30cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The White Wagtail is a species with a vast range, covering almost the entirity of Eurasia, with some presence in North Africa and a toe-hold in Alaska.  It is a highly variable species, with each each of the races having plumages in different combinations of black, white and grey, as seen in the two examples above, with some races being significantly paler than others.  It is quite possible that these may be split at some point into further species, but as of current taxonomy at least, the "Black-backed Wagtail" of North East Asia has been lumped back in to the wider species.  

Further Information:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Motacilla
Subspecies: M. a. alba, M. a. yarrellii, M. a. subpersonata, M. a. persica, M. a. dukhunensis, M. a. personata, M. a. baicalensis, M. a. ocularis, M. a. lugens

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant breeding resident (470,000 pairs)

 - Seen in virtually every location including Rutland Water,  Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits, Eyebrook Reservoir and Geddington.

JAPAN - Japanese - ハクセキレイ / haku-sekirei ("white wagtail"*)
Abundant resident - one of the most common urban birds.

 - KYOTO 2013 TRIP: A single bird seen in Osaka 

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Seen in Central Tokyo and single individual along shore-front at Akkeshi 

SPAIN - Spanish - Lavandera blanca ("White Laundress")

A reasonably common resident,

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen near, El Pardo

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

* The Black-backed Wagtail has been split off from this species by some authorities, but other subspecies of White Wagtail are still found in Japan.  However, they still currently share the same name in Japanese to my knowledge.

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Siren (Hestina persimilis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Hestina (?) japonica ("of Japan")

Adult Siren (Hestina persimilis) at Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan - June 2013

Featured Subspecies: Hestina persimilis japonica
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 60-80mm
NOT EVALUATED IN UK / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

This large species is another one that is found in fairly everyday settings in Japan, yet is as large as the largest British species.  I saw this species in the park around Osaka Castle where they were fairly numerous. They seem to enjoy patrolling up and down tree trunks, possibly feeding on sap. 

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hestina
SUBSPECIES: H. p. japonica, H. j. persimilis, H. p. zella, H. p. chinensis

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ?

Common resident seen in Summer

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Several seen around Osaka 

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

Common Fivering (Ypthima argus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Ypthima (?) argus (after many eyed giant of Greek myth)

Adult Common Fivering (subspecies Y. a. kangeana) at Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, Japan - July 2011

Featured Subspecies: Ypthima argus kangeana
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 38-46mm
NOT UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Common Fivering is a widespread species of Ringlet found spread across much of the South-East quarter of Asia as far as I can work out.  As with the other butterfly species in Japan, finding absolute  taxonomic information isn't really possible - it is listed on Wikipedia as Ypthima baldus, but that page makes no mention of its range into Japan, so for now, I'm sticking with Ypthima argus which I have found associated with this species in Japan.  Either way, it is a fairly common species in Japan.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Ypthima
SUBSPECIES: Y. b. baldus, Y. b. hyampeia, Y. b. jezoensis, Y. b. luoi, Y. b. marshalli, Y. b. moerus, Y. b. newboldi, Y. b. okurai, Y. b. pasitelides, Y. b. selinuntius, Y. b.zodina, Y. b. kangeana

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - 姫裏波蛇目  /  Hime uranamijanome ("Princess Wave Snake Eyes")

 A locally common resident.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Common throughout Kyoto

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