Japan Birds

from Minivets to Buntings

noting those found
during Focus On Nature Tours
with an (*)

1994 thru 2011

(during the months of 
January, February, 
April, May, June, July,
November, & December)

Part 2 of a Japan Bird-List compiled by Armas Hill, 
the leader of FONT tours in Japan


Photo at upper right: a BROWN-EARED BULBUL photographed during a FONT Japan Tour 
  

Link:

Part #1 of this List of Japan Birds: Pheasants to Pittas

There have been 22 FONT Fall & Winter birding & nature tours in Japan: FW.
There have been 13 FONT Spring & Summer birding & nature tours in Japan: SS.

During our 35 FONT tours in Japan, 393 species of birds have cumulatively been found. 

In the following list, Japanese bird names follow English names.



Codes:

(JAi):  introduced species in Japan

(t):   a globally threatened or rare species, designated by Birdlife International.
(t1):   critical
(t2):   endangered
(t3):   vulnerable
(nt): considered a near-threatened species globally

(JAr):       rare in Japan
(JArs):     rare in Japan in spring/summer
(JArw):    rare in Japan in winter

(JAe):      Japanese endemic
(JAeb):    Japanese endemic breeder
(JAneb):  Japanese near-endemic breeder

FW: Seen during FONT Fall & Winter Japanese birding tours.
SS: Seen during FONT Spring & Summer Japanese birding tours.

In the list that follows, relating to sightings during FONT tours, the Japanese island & the months are noted. 
HN:   on Honshu
HI:    on Hegura Island (Hegura-jima) in the Sea of Japan off Honshu (Hegura Island visited during our Spring tours)
HK:   on Hokkaido
KY:   on Kyushu
AM:  on Amami
OK:   on Okinawa
NS:   in the southern Japanese islands of Nansei Shoto (other than Amami & Okinawa)


(ph):  species with a photo in this FONT website


Links:

Upcoming Japan Birding & Nature Tours 

FONT Past Tour Highlights

Birds during Previous FONT tours in Japan in: 

Honshu  (over 300 species) 

Hegura Island  (with some photos)

the Island of Amami

the island of Okinawa


Rare Birds during our Japan Tours  (with some photos)

Japanese Mammals  (with some photos)

Japanese Butterflies  (with some photos)

Directory of Photos in this Website, in this list & others

List of Japan Birds, noting those during FONT Tours (Part #2): 

366. Ashy Minivet  (Sanshokui)  (*) ______ SS   HN:may  HI:may
     Pericrocotus divaricatus  (monotypic, with tegimae split)
     
     
367. Ryukyu Minivet  (Ryukyu-sanshokui)  (JAe) (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   KY:jan,feb,may  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  OK:feb,may,nov  
     Pericrocotus tegimae  
     
     The Ryukyu Minivet was considered conspecific with the Ashy Minivet.
     
     
     
     
     Ryukyu Minivets have been seen during FONT Japan Tours 
     in Kyushu, Amami, & Okinawa 
     
     
368. Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike  (Asakura-sanshokui)  (JAr)  ______
     Coracina melaschistos
     
     
369. Bull-headed Shrike  (Mozu)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HI:may  HK:jun  KY:jan,feb,may,nov,dec  AM:feb,dec
     Lanius b. bucephalus
     
     
370. Brown Shrike  (Aka-mozu)  (JArw) (*)  ______ SS,FW   HI:may  OK:jan
     Lanius cristatus 
     Lanius c. lucionensis  (in Okinawa)
     Lanius c. superciliosus  (breeds on Hokkaido & Honshu)
     
     
371. Tiger (or Thick-billed) Shrike (Chigo-mozu)  (*) ______  SS   HI:may
     Lanius tigrinus  (monotypic)
     
     
372. Long-tailed (or Rufous-backed) Shrike (Takaago-mozu)  (JAr) (*) ______ FW  KY:jan
     Lanius s. schach
     
     
373. Great Grey Shrike  (O-mozu)  (*) (ph) ______ FW  HK:jan  (has been called Northern Shrike in North America)
     Lanius excubitor bianchii
     
     The Great Grey Shrike is called Northern Shrike in North America.
     
     
374. Chinese Grey Shrike  (JAr)  ______  
     Lanius sphenocercus 
     
     
375. Black-naped Oriole  (Korai-uguisu)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______  SS  HI:may
     Oriolus chinensis diffusus
     
     
     
     
     A Black-naped Oriole during a FONT Japan Tour on Hegura Island 
     
     
376. Black Drongo  (Ochu)  (JAr) (*)  ______  SS  HI:may
     Dicrurus macrocercus
     (The subspecies in China is D. m. cathoecus; the subspecies endemic to Taiwan is D. m. harterti.) 
     
     
377. Eurasian Jay  (Kakesu)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,nov,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,nov,dec
     Garrulus glandarius
     Garrulus g. brandtii  (on Hokkaido)
     Garrulus g. japonicus  (on Honshu & Kyushu)
     (2 other subspecies occur on other Japanese islands)
     
     
378. Lidth's Jay  (Ruri-kakesu)  (t3) (JAe) (*) (ph) ______  SS,FW   AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec
     Garrulus lidthi  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     A Lidth's Jay photographed during a FONT Tour in Amami.
     The species is endemic to that Japanese island, 
     and one smaller island nearby.
        
     
379. Spotted Nutcracker  (Hoshi-garasu)  (*) ______ SS   HN:may,jun
     Nucifraga caryocatactes japonica  (in the Northern group)
     
     
380. Azure-winged Magpie  (Onaga)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov,dec
     Cyanopica cyana japonica
     
     
381. Oriental Magpie  (Kasasagi)  (JAi) (*) ______ FW   HK:feb  KY:jan  
     Pica sericea
     
     Recent evidence indicates that both populations of what has been the Eurasian Magpie in eastern Asia, the Kamchatka Magpie and the Oriental Magpie of Amurland, Korea, Japan, & China, differ substantially enough in DNA from western Eurasian birds to be considered a separate species. However, their exact ranges and any morphological and vocal differences are still unclear.
     The Eurasian Magpie. Pica pica, was considered conspecific with the Black-billed Magpie of North America, Pica hudsonia.
     
     
382. Daurian Jackdaw  (Kokumaru-garasu)  (*) ______  FW   HN:jan  KY:jan,feb,nov
     Coloeus (formerly Corvus) dauuricus  (monotypic)
     
     
383. Rook  (Miyama-garasu)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:jan  HI:apr,may  HK:jan  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec  AM:dec
     Corvus frugilegus pastinator
     
     
384. Carrion Crow  (Hashiboso-garasu)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul,nov,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,febmay,jun,nov,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec
     Corvus corone orientalis
     
     
385. Large-billed Crow  (Hashibuto-garasu)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul,nov,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,nov,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov   
     Corvus macrorhynchos
     Corvus m. japonensis  (on Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu)
     Corvus m. connectens  (on Amami & Okinawa)
     (1, maybe 2, other subspecies occur on various Japanese islands)  
     Corvus m. osai  (on the Yaeyama Islands)
     
     The Large-billed Crow was considered conspecific with the Jungle Crow of southern Asia, Corvus levaillantii. 
     Proposed taxonomy would be: Japanese Crow, Corvus j. japonensis & C. j, connectens & C. m. osai. 
     
     
386. Northern Raven  (Watari-garasu)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______ FW   HK:jan,feb,dec
     Corvus corax kamtschaticus  
     
     
387. Marsh Tit  (Hashibuto-gara)  (*) ______  SS,FW   HK:jan,feb,may,jun,nov,dec
     Poecile (formerly Parus) palustris hensoni 
     
     
388. Willow Tit  (Ko-gara)  (*) ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HK:jan,feb,may,jun  KY:jan,may,nov
     Poecile (formerly Parus) montanus restrictus 
     (Poecile m. sachalinensis, slightly paler, from Sakhalin Island, may occur on Hokkaido as a vagrant.)
     
     
389. Varied Tit  (Yama-gara)  (JAneb) (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul,nov,dec  HI:may(once)  HK:jan,feb,may,dec  KY:jan,may,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov
     Poecile (formerly Parus) varius
     (formerly Parus) varius
     Poecile v. varius (on Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu)
     Poecile v. amami  (on Amami & Okinawa)
     (other subspecies occur on various Japanese islands, Poecile v. yakushimensis also on Amami Is. as a non-breeding visitant)
     
     
390. Coal Tit  (Hi-gara)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HI:apr(once)  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,dec  KY:jan,may,nov,dec
     Periparus (formerly Parus) ater insularis 
     
     
391. Eastern Great Tit  (Shiju-kara)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov,dec  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,nov,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,nov
     Parus minor
     Parus m. minor  (on Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu)
     Parus m. amamiensis  (on Amami)
     Parus m. okinawae  (on Okinawa) 
     
     The Eastern Great Tit was considered conspecific with the Northern Great Tit of western Eurasia, Parus major. 
     
     
392. Chinese Penduline Tit  (Tsurisu-gara)  (*) ______ FW  KY:jan,feb    
     Remiz consobrinus
     
     The Chinese Penduline Tit was considered conspecific with other Penduline Tits across Eurasia - now 4 species.
     
     
393. Japanese Waxwing  (Hi-renjaku)  (nt) (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,apr  HI:may  HK:jan,may  KY:jan,nov  AM:jan  
     Bombycilla japonica  (monotypic)
     
     The Japanese Waxwing is not a Japanese breeder.
     
     
394. Bohemian Waxwing  (Ki-renjaku)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:may  HK:jan  AM:jan
     Bombycilla garrulus (centralasiae) 
     
     
395. Barn Swallow  (Tsubame)  (*) (ph)  ______ SS,FW  HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul  HI:apr,may  HK:may  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,dec  OK:jan,feb,may
     Hirundo rustica
     (2 subspecies recorded in Japan: Hirundo r. gutturalis (mostly), and Hirundo r. saturata)
     
     
396. Pacific Swallow  (Ryukyu-tsubame)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov  NS:jan,may
     Hirundo tahitica namiyae
     
     
397. Red-rumped Swallow  (Koshiaka-tsubame)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:may  HI:may  KY:nov  AM:may
     Cecropis (formerly Hirundo) daurica japonica
     
     
398. Sand Martin (or Bank Swallow)  (Shodo-tsubame)  (*) ______ SS   HN:apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jun
     Riparia riparia iijimae
     
     
399. Asian House Martin  (Iwa-tsubame)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:apr,may,jun  HK:may,jun  KY:jan,feb,may,nov  AM:jan  OK:jan,feb  
     Delichon d. dasypus
     
     The Asian House Martin was considered conspecific with the Northern House Martin of Europe, Delichon urbica.
     
     
400. Long-tailed Bushtit  (Enaga)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov  HK:jan,may,dec  KY:jan,may,nov,dec   
     Aegithalos caudatus 
     Aegithalos c. japonicus  (on Hokkaido)
     Aegithalos c. trivirgatus  (on Honshu)
     Aegithalos c. kiusiuensis  (on Kyushu)
     (A.c. japonicus in the Caudatus group, with head & throat white, A.c. trivirgatus & kiusiuensis in the Europaeus group, with head having dark lateral crown stripes) 
     
     The Long-tailed Bushtit has been called Long-tailed Tit.
     
     
401. Greater Short-toed Lark (JAr)  (Hime-kotenshi)  (*) ______ SS  HI:apr,may
     Calandrella cinerea longipennis 
     
     
402. Asian Short-toed Lark  (Ko-hibari)  (JAr) ______
     Calandrella cheleensis
     
     
403. Eurasian Skylark  (Hibari)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HI:apr  HK:jan,jun  KY:jan,feb,may,nov,dec 
     Alauda arvensis japonica  ("Japanese Skylark": a resident in much of Japan)
     Alauda arvensis pekinensis  (HI)
     (A. a. pekinensis & A. a. lonnbergi are subspecies from mainland Asia that have occurred in Japan)
     
     
404. Horned (or Shore) Lark  (Hama-hibari)  (JAr)  ______
     Eremophila alpestris  
     
     
405. Brown-eared Bulbul  (Hiyodori)  (JAneb) (*) (ph)  ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul,nov,dec  HI:may  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov
     Microscelis (formerly Hypsipetes) amaurotis
     Microscelis a. amaurotis (on Hokkaido, Honshu, & Kyushu)
     Microscelis a. ogawae (on Amami)
     Microscelis a. pryeri (on Okinawa)
     (other subspecies occur on other, smaller, Japanese islands & in Taiwan)
     
     
     
     
     Brown-eared Bulbul, photographed during the FONT Jan/Feb 2009 tour in Japan
     (photo by Karl Frafjord)
     
     
406. Light-vented Bulbul  (Shirogashira)  (*) ______ SS,FW   OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov 
     Pycnonotus sinensis orii
     
     
407. Zitting Cisticola  (Sekka)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:apr,may,jun  KY:jan,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov      
     Cisticola juncidis brunniceps  
     
     The Zitting Cisticola was called the Fan-tailed Warbler, but there's a species so-named in Mexico, totally unrelated; also, now the cisticolas are not in the same family as the Old World Warblers.
     
     
408. Asian Stubtail  (Yabusame)  (*)  ______ SS   HN:jun  HI:apr  HK:may,jun  KY:may   (was called Short-tailed Bush Warbler)
     Cettia s. squameiceps
     
     The Asian Stubtail was called the Short-tailed Bush Warbler. 
     
     
409. Japanese Bush Warbler  (Uguisu)  (*) (ph) ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov   
     Cettia diphone
     Cettia d. sakhalinensis  (on Honshu & Kyushu, non-breeding, winter)
     Cettia d. cantans (on Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, breeding)
     Cettia d. riukiuensis  (on Amami & Okinawa)
     
     
     
     
     Japanese Bush Warbler seen and heard during FONT Japan Tours
     in the Spring & the Winter  
     
     
410. Korean Bush Warbler  (JAr)  ______
     Cettia canturians borealis
     
     The Korean Bush Warbler winters in southern Nansei Shoto  on Yaeyama Island. 
     
     
411. Lanceolated (Grasshopper) Warbler  (Makino-sennyu)  (*) ______ SS  HK:jun
     Locustella lancolata hendersonii
     
     
412. Gray's (Grasshopper) Warbler  (Ezo-sennyu)  (*)  ______ SS   HI:may
     Locustella fasciolata amnicola
     
     
413. Middendorff's Warbler  (Shima-sennyu)  (JAr)  ______
     Locustella ochotensis
     
     
414. Pallas's (Grasshopper) Warbler  (Shiberia-sennyu)  (JAr)  ______
     Locustella certhiola
     
     
415. Pleske's Warbler  (t3) (JAr)  ______
     Locustella pleskei
     
     Another name of the Pleske's Warbler has been Styan's Grasshopper Warbler.
     
     
416. Marsh Grassbird  (O-sekka)  (t3) (*) ______ SS  HN:apr,may  
     Megalurus p. pryeri 
     
     The Marsh Grassbird has also been called the Japanese Marsh Warbler.
     
     
417. Black-browed (or Schenk's) Reed Warbler  (Ko-yoshikiri)  (*) ______ SS  HI:may  HK:jun
     Acrocephalus bistrigiceps  (monotypic)
     
     
418. Oriental Reed Warbler  (O-yoshikiri)  (*) ______ SS  HN:apr,may,jun  HI:apr,may   
     Acrocephalus orientalis
     
     The Oriental Reed Warbler was considered conspecific with the Great Reed Warbler of Europe, Acrocephalus orientalis.
     
     
419. Eastern Crowned Warbler  (Sendai-mushikui)  (*) (ph) ______ SS  HN:may,jun  HI:apr,may  HK:may,jun  
     Phylloscopus coronatus  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     The Eastern Crowned Warbler, found during FONT Japan Tours in the Spring 
     
     
420. Sakhalin Leaf Warbler  (Ezo-mushikui)  (*)  ______ SS  HN:may  HI:apr,may  HK:may,jun   
     Phylloscopus borealoides  (monotypic)
     
     The Sakhalin Leaf Warbler was part of the Pale-legged Leaf Warbler. 
     
     
421. Ijima's Leaf Warbler  (Ijima-mushikui)  (t3) (JAeb) (*) ______ FW   AM:jan,feb,dec  
     Phylloscopus ijimae  (monotypic)
     
     The Ijima's Leaf Warbler has historically been included in the Eastern and Western Crowned Warblers and in the Pale-legged Leaf Warbler.
     
     
422. Arctic Warbler  (Meboso-mushikui)  (*) ______ FW SS  HN:jan  HI:may  AM:nov,dec
     Phylloscopus b. borealis
     (another subspecies, Phylloscopus b. xanthodryas, also occurs in Japan) 
     
     
423. Yellow-browed Warbler  (Kimayu-mushikui)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______  FW SS   HI:may  AM:jan,nov
     Phylloscopus inornatus  (monotypic)
     
     
424. Dusky Warbler  (Muji-sekka)  (JAr) (*) ______ SS  HI:may
     Phylloscopus f. fuscatus
     
     
425. Radde's Warbler  (JAr)  (Karafuto-muji-sekka)  (*) ______  SS  HI:may
     Phylloscopus schwarzi  (monotypic)
     
     
426. Siberian Chiffchaff  (JAr) (*)  ______  SS   HI:may
     Phylloscopus tristus
     
     
427. Mandelli's Leaf Warbler  (JAr)  ______
     Phylloscopus humei mandellii
     
     The Mandell's Leaf Warbler is part of the Hume's Warbler, closely related to the Yellow-browed Warbler.
     
     
428. Pallas's Leaf Warbler  (Karafuto-mushikui)  (JAr)  ______
     Phylloscopus proregulus
     
     
429. Wood Warbler  (Mori-mushikui)  (JAr)  ______
     Phylloscopus sibilatrix
     
     
430. Willow Warbler  (Kita-yanagi-mushikui)  (JAr)  ______
     Phylloscopus trochilus
     
     
431. Tickell's Leaf Warbler  (JAr)  ______
     Phylloscopus affinis
     
     
432. Moustached Laughing Thrush  (JAi)  ______  (now widespread on the island of Shikoku)
     Garrulux cineraceus 
     
     
433. Red-billed Leiothrix  (Soushicho)  (JAi) (*) ______  SS,FW   KY:jan,may
     Leiothrix lutea
     
     
434. Japanese White-eye  (Mejiro)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul,nov,dec  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov
     Zosterops japonica
     Zosterops j. japonica  (on Honshu, Kyushu)
     Zosterops j. yesoensis  (on Hokkaido & the southern Sakhalin Islands)  
     Zosterops j. loochooensis  (on Amami & Okinawa)
     (other subspecies occur on various, smaller, Japanese islands: Z. j. stejnegeri & Z. j. alani 
     
     
435. Chestnut-flanked White-eye  (Chosen-mejiro)  (JAr)  ______
     Zosterops erythropleura
     
     
436. Bonin Honeycreeper  (Meguro)  (t3) (JAe)  ______  (has been called Bonin Islands Honeyeater; another name has been Bonin White-eye) 
     Apalapteron (or Zosterops) familare hahasima: on Haha Island
     
     
437. Goldcrest  (Kikuitadaki)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,may  HK:jan,jun,nov,dec
     Regulus regulus japonensis
     
     
438. Eurasian Wren  (Misosazai)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HK:jan,jun,dec  KY:jan,may,jul,nov
     Troglodytes (or Nannus) troglodytes fumigatus
     
     
439. Eurasian Nuthatch  (Goju-kara)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,nov,dec  KY:jan,may,nov
     Sitta europaea
     Sitta e. asiatica  (on Hokkaido, a pale-breasted form)
     Sitta e. amurensis  (on Honshu)
     Sitta e. roseilia  (on Kyushu)
     (these subspecies in the Europaea group)
     
     
440. Eurasian Treecreeper  (Kivashiri)  (*) ______  FW   HN:jan  HK:jan,feb,nov
     Certhia familiaris
     Certhia f. daurica  (on Hokkaido)
     Certhia f. japonica  (on Honshu)
     (these 2 subspecies in the northern Familiaris group)
     
     
441. Common Starling  (Hoshi-mukudori)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______ FW  KY:jan,nov  OK:jan,feb
     Sturnus vulgaris poltaratskyi
     
     
     
     
     The Common Starling is 1 of 6 species of starlings we've seen during FONT tours in Japan.
     Occurring there in the winter, it is a rarity.
     (photo by Doris Potter)
           
     
442. White-cheeked (or Grey) Starling  (Mukudori)  (*) ______ SS,FW  HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:feb  KY:jan,feb,may,nov,dec  AM:dec  OK:jan,feb,may 
     Sturnus cineraceus  (monotypic)
     
     Another name for the White-cheeked, or Gray, Starling has been Ashy Starling.
     
     
443. White-shouldered Starling  (Kara-mukudori)  (JAr) (*) ______ FW  KY:jan  OK:jan,feb   
     Sturnus sinensis  (monotypic)
     
     The White-shouldered Starling has also been called the Gray-backed Starling or Myna.
      
     
444. Red-billed Starling  (Gin-mukudori)  (JAr) (*)  ______  FW  KY:jan  OK:feb 
     Sturnus sericeus  (monotypic)
     
     The Red-billed Starling has also been called the Silky Starling.
     
     
445. Chestnut-cheeked Starling  (Ko-mukudori)  (nt) (JAeb) (*) ______ SS  HN:may,jun  HI:may   
     Sturnus philippensis  (monotypic)
     
     The Chestnut-cheeked Starling has also been called the Violet-backed Starling or Myna.
     
     
446. Daurian (or Purple-backed) Starling  (Shiberia-mukudori)  (JAr) (*) ______  SS  HI:may
     Sturnus sturninus  (monotypic)
     
     
447. Crested Myna  (Hakkacho)  (JAi) (*) ______ FW  HN:jan
     Acridotheres cristatellus
     
     
448. Blue Rock Thrush  (Iso-hiyodori)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may  HI:apr,may  KY:jan.feb,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov  NS:jan,may
     Monticola solitarius philippensis  (the "Red-bellied Rock Thrush")
     
     
449. White-throated Rock Thrush  (Hima-isohiyo)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______ SS   HI:may  
     Monticola gularis  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     Very much a rarity in Japan, this White-throated Rock Thrush
     was found on Hegura Island during a FONT tour in May 2005.
     
     
450. Rufous-tailed (or White-backed) Rock Thrush  (Koshijiro-isohiyo)  (JAr)  ______
     Monticola saxatilis
     
     
451. White's (Ground) Thrush  (Tora-tsugumi)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HI:feb,apr,may  KY:jan  AM:jan,dec  
     Zoothera aurera toratugumi 
     
     The White's Ground Thrush was considered conspecific with the Scaly Ground Thrush of southeast Asia.
     
     
452. Amami (Ground) Thrush  (O-tora-tsugumi)  (t1) (JAe) (*) ______  SS,FW   AM:jan,may,jul,nov,dec  
     Zoothera amami  (monotypic)
     
     
453. Siberian (Ground) Thrush  (Mamijiro)  (*) (ph)  ______ SS  HN:may,jun  HI:may  
     Zoothera sibirica davisoni
     
     
     
     
     A male Siberian Thrush
     
     
454. Kittlitz's (or Bonin Islands) Thrush  (Ogasawara-gabicho)  (JAe)  ______  (now extinct)
     Zoothera (formerly Cichlopasser) terrestris
     
     
455. Gray-cheeked Thrush  (JAr)  ______
     Catharus minimus
     
     
456. Brown-headed Thrush  (Akahara)  (JAneb) (*) ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:may,jun  KY:nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,nov,dec  OK:jan
     Turdus c. chrysolaus
     
     The Brown-headed Thrush has been called Brown Thrush.
     
     
457. Pale Thrush  (Shirohara)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,nov,dec  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,nov
     Turdus pallidus  (monotypic)
     
     
458. Eye-browed (or Grey-headed) Thrush  (Mamichajinai)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:may  HI:may  HK:may  KY:nov
     Turdus obscurus  (monotypic)
     
     
459. Dusky Thrush  (Tsugumi)  (JArs) (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,nov 
     Turdus eunomus  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     A Dusky Thrush photographed during a FONT tour in Japan
     
     
460. Naumann's Thrush  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan  HI:apr,may  AM:feb  
     Turdus naumanni  (monotypic)
     
     The Naumann's Thrush was considered conspecific with the Dusky Thrush.
     
     
     
     
     A Naumann's Thrush during a FONT Japan Tour on Hegura Island  
     
     
461. Japanese (Grey) Thrush  (Kuro-tsugumi)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:may  AM;dec
     Turdus cardis  (monotypic)  
     
     The Japanese Thrush has been called the Grey Thrush, but there's another species with that name in Africa.
     The name Japanese Thrush notwithstanding, the species is not endemic to Japan, occurring also in China & Korea.    
     
     
462. Izu Islands Thrush  (Akakokko)  (t3) (JAe)  ______
     Turdus calaenops
     
     
463. Grey-backed Thrush  (Kara-akahara)  (JAr)  ______
     Turdus hortulorum
     
     
464. Red-throated Thrush  (Nodoguro-tsugumi)  (JAr)  ______
     Turdus ruficollis
     
     The Red-throated Thrush was part of the Dark-throated Thrush. Both species are Asian. 
     
     
465. Eurasian Blackbird  (Kuro-utadorui)  (JAr)  ______
     Turdus merlula
     
     
466. Fieldfare  (Nohara-tsugumi)  (JAr)  ______
     Turdus pilaris
     
     
467. Redwing  (Wakiaka-tsugumi)  (JAr) (ph)  ______
     Turdus iliacus
     
     
468. Song Thrush  (Uta-tsugumi)  (JAr)  ______
     Turdus philomelos
     
     
469. Mistle Thrush  (Yadorigi-tsugumi)  (JAr)  ______
     Turdus viscivorus 
     
     
470. Japanese Robin  (Komadori)  (JAneb) (*) ______ SS  HN:apr,may  HI:apr  HK:may  KY:may
     Erithacus a. akahige
     
     
471. Ryukyu Robin  (Akahige)  (nt) (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   AM:jan,feb,may,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov
     Erithacus komadori
     Erithacus k. komadori (on Amami)
     Erithacus k. namiyei (on Okinawa)
     
     From the Japanese common names for the Japanese & Ryukyu Robins, notice that the scientific names for the 2 species were erroneously applied. 
     
     
     
     
     Ryukyu Robin, seen during FONT Japan Tours in Amami & Okinawa 
     
     
472. Swinhoe's (or Rufous-tailed) Robin  (Shima-goma)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______  SS   HI:may
     Luscinia sibilans  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     A Swinhoe's, or Rufosu-tailed, Robin during a FONT Japan Tour on Hegura Island 
     
     
473. Siberian Rubythroat   (No-goma)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HI:apr,may  HK:jun  AM:jan 
     Luscinia calliope camtschhatkensis
     
     
     
     
     A Siberian Ruby-throat during a FONT Japan Tour on Hegura Island 
     
     
474. Bluethroat  (Ogawa-komadori)  (JArw) (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HI:may  AM:jan 
     Luscinia s. svecicus
     
     
     
     
     The Bluethroat was one of the migrants seen on 
     Hegura Island during the FONT Japan spring tour
     in 2007.    
     
     
475. Siberian Blue Robin  (Ko-ruri) (*) ______ SS   HN:may,jun  HI:may
     Luscinia cyane bachaiensis  
     
     
476. Red-flanked Bluetail   (Ruri-bitaki)  (*) (ph) ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,dec  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,nov  AM:jan,dec  OK:jan   
     Luscinia (formerly Tarsiger) c. cyanurus
     
     What was the Himalayan population of the Red-flanked Bluetail, the Orange-flanked Bush Robin, is no longer included in Luscinia cyanurus. 
     
     
     
     
     A Red-flanked Bluetail photographed during a FONT tour in Japan 
     
     
477. Daurian Redstart  (Jo-bitaki)  (*) ______  SS,FW  HN:jan,feb,apr,may,nov  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,dec  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec  AM:jan,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,nov
     Phoenicurus a. auroreus
     
     
478. Black Redstart  (Kuro-jo-bitaki)  (JAr) (*) ______  SS  HI:apr
     Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides
     
     
479. Siberian Stonechat  (No-bitaki)  (*)  ______  SS  HN:apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:may,jun
     Saxicola stejnegeri
     
     
480. Pied Bushchat  (Kuro-ko-bitaki)  (JAr)  ______
     Saxicola caprata
     
     
481. Grey Bushchat  (Yamazaki-hitaki)  (JAr)  ______
     Saxicola ferrea 
     
     
482. Desert Wheatear  (Sabaku-hitaki)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______ FW 
     Oenanthe d. deserti
     
     
     
     
     This Desert Wheatear was seen in Tokyo during 
     one of the FONT Japan winter tours.
     The species is a rarity in Japan.
        
     
483. Pied Wheatear  (Seguro-sabaku-hitaki)  (JAr) (*)  ______  SS   HI:may
     Oenanthe p. pleschanka
     
     
484. Isabelline Wheater  (Inaba-hitaki)  (JAr) (*) ______ SS   HI:may 
     Oenanthe isabellina 
     
     
485. Northern Wheatear  (Hashiguro-hitaki)  (JAr)  (ph)  ______
     Oenanthe o. oenanthe 
     
     
486. Blue-and-white Flycatcher  (O-ruri)  (*) ______ SS  HN:may,jun  HI:apr,may  HK:may,jun  KY:may 
     Cyanoptila c. cyanomelana
     
     
     
     
     The Blue-and-white Flycatcher, seen & heard 
     during FONT Japan Tours in the Spring
     
     
487. Asian Brown Flycatcher  (Ko-same-bitaki)  (*) ______ SS  HN:may  HI:apr,may  HK;jun
     Muscicapa d. dauurica  (formerly M. latirostris)
     
     
488. Dark-sided Flycatcher  (Same-bitaki)  (*) ______ SS  HN:may  HI:may  HK:jun
     Muscicapa s. sibirica
     
     The Dark-sided Flycatcher was called Siberian Flycatcher. Another name that has been applied to the Dark-sided Flycatcher has been Sooty Flycatcher, which is inappropriate, however, as there's a bird so-named in Africa.   
     
     
489. Gray-streaked Flycatcher  (Ezo-bitaki)  (*) ______ SS  HI:may
     Muscicapa griseisticta  (monotypic)
     
     
490. Taiga Flycatcher  (Ojiro-bitaki)  (JAr) (*) ______ SS   HI:may  
     Muscicapa albicilla  (monotypic)
     
     The Taiga Flycatcher was part of the Red-breasted Flycatcher, Muscicapa parva.
       
     
491. Ferruginous Flycatcher  (Miyama-bitaki)  (JAr)  ______
     Muscicapa ferriginea
     
     
492. Mugimaki Flycatcher  (Mugimaki)  (JAr) (*) ______ SS,FW   HI:may  KY:jan 
     Ficedula mugimaki  (monotypic)
     
     
493. Narcissus Flycatcher  (Ki-bitaki)  (JAneb) (*) (ph) ______ SS   HN:may  HI:apr,may  HK:jun  KY:may 
     Ficedula narcissina  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     Two photos above of Narcissus Flycatchers, one of the nicest birds
     to be seen during FONT Japan Tours in the Spring 
     
     
494. Ryukyu Flycatcher  (Ryukyu Ki-bitaki)  (t2) (JAe) (*) ______  SS,FW   AM:jan,may,nov  OK:jan,feb 
     Ficedula owstoni  (monotypic)
     
     The Ryukyu Flycatcher was considered part of the Narcissus Flycatcher.
     
     
495. Yellow-rumped (or Tricolored) Flycatcher  (Mamijiro-ki-bitaki)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______ SS  HI:may
     Ficedula zanthopygia  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     A Yellow-rumped Flycatcher during a FONT Japan Tour on Hegura Island
     
     
496. European Pied Flycatcher  (JAr)  ______
     Ficedula hypoleuca
     
     
497. Japanese Paradise Flycatcher  (Sankocho)  (nt) (JAneb) (*) ______ SS  HI:may  KY:may  AM:may  OK:may   
     Terpsiphone atrocaudata illex (on Kyushu & Nansei Shoto islands)
     Terpsiphone a. atrocaudata  (on Honshu, & Hegura Island) 
     
     The Japanese Paradise Flycatcher has also been called Black Paradise Flycatcher.
      
     
498. Brown (or Pallas') Dipper  (Kawagarasu)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HK:jan,feb,nov,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,nov,dec
     Cinclus p. pallasii 
     
     
499. Russet (or Cinnamon) Sparrow  (Nyunai-suzume)  (*) ______ SS,FW  HI:apr  HK:may,jun  KY:jan,jul,dec
     Passer r. rutilans
     
     
500. Eurasian Tree Sparrow  (Suzume)  (*) (ph) ______  SS,FW  HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul,nov,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,nov,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul,nov 
     Passer montanus saturatus
     
     
     
     
     The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is the common "city sparrow" 
     in Tokyo and other Japanese cities. House Sparrows don't occur in Japan.
     (photo by Paul West)
       
     
501. Scaly-breasted (or Spotted) Munia  (Amihara)  (JAi) (*) ______ SS,FW  NOK:jan,feb,may,nov
     Lonchura punctulata
     
     The Scaly-breasted, or Spotted, Munia is also called Nutmeg Mannikin, or Spice Finch.
     
     
502. Japanese Accentor  (Kaya-kuguri)  (JAneb) (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb  HK:jan,may
     Prunella rubida fervida  (on Hokkaido)
     Prunella r, rubida  (elsewhere in Japan) 
     (But now said to be monotypic)
     
     The Japanese Accentor is rare in Hokkaido in the winter.  
     
     
503. Alpine Accentor  (Iwa-hibari)  ______  
     Prunella collaris
     
     
504. Siberian Accentor  (Yama-hibari)  (JAr)  ______
     Prunella montanella
     
     
505. Richard's Pipit  (Mamijiro-tahibari)  (JAr) (*)   ______ SS   HI:may
     Anthus novaeseelandiae
     
     
506. Olive-backed Pipit   (Binzui)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HI:apr,may  HK:may,jun  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec  AM:jan,dec
     Anthus h. hodgsoni (Anthus h. yunnanensis also occurs)
     
     The Olive-backed Pipit has been called Indian Tree Pipit.
     
     
     
     
     An Olive-backed PIpit, photographed during the 
     FONT January/February 2009 Tour in Japan
     (photo by Karl Frafjord)
     
     
507. Tree Pipit  (Yoroppa-binzui)  (JAr) (*) ______  SS   HI:may
     Anthus trivialis haringtoni  (probably this subspecies)
     (probably this subspecies)
     
     
508. Red-throated Pipit  (Muneaka-tahibari)  (*) ______ FW  KY:nov  AM:jan
     Anthus c. cervinus 
     
     
509. "Siberian" Buff-bellied Pipit  (Tahibari)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb  OK:jan  
     Anthus (rubescens) japonicus
     
     The "Siberian Buff-bellied Pipit", Anthus rubescens japonicus, was part of the Water Pipit of Eurasia, but now it is considered conspecific with the Buff-bellied, or American, Pipit of North America, or possibly it is a distinct species, Anthus japonicus.
      
     
510. Blyth's Pipit  (Ko-mamijiro-tahibari)  (JAr)  ______
     Anthus godlewskii
     
     
511. Pechora Pipit  (Sejiro-tahibari)  (JAr)  ______
     Anthus gustavi
     
     
512. Forest Wagtail  (Iwani-sekirei)  ______
     Dendronanthus indicus
     
     
513. Eastern Yellow Wagtail  (Tsumenaga-sekirei)  (JAr) (*) ______ SS   HI:may
     Motacilla tschutschensis 
     
      
514. Grey Wagtail  (Ki-sekirei)  (*) ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HI:apr,may  HK:may,jun  KY:jan,feb,may,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,nov 
     Motacilla cinerea robusta
     
     
515. White Wagtail  (Hojiro / Haku-sekirei)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,jul,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,nov,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,nov,dec  OK:jan,feb,nov
     Motacilla alba
     Motacilla a. lugens  (throughout Japan; has been called Black-backed Wagtail) 
     Motacilla a. leucopsis (on Kyushu & Okinawa)   KY OK
     Motacilla a. ocularis (on Hegura Is.)  HI
     
      
516. Japanese Wagtail  (Seguro-sekirei)  (JAe) (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov  HK:jan,dec  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec  OK:jan
     Motacilla grandis  
     
     
517. Citrine Wagtail  (Kigashira-sekirei)  (JAr)  ______
     Motacilla citreola  
     
     
518. Brambling  (Atori)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan  HI:apr,may  HK:jan  KY:jan,nov  
     Fringilla montifringilla  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     A male Brambling photographed during a FONT Japan Tour
     in the Spring
     (photo by Paul West)
       
     
519. Oriental Greenfinch  (Kawara-hiwa)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov,  HIapr,may  HK;jan,feb,may,jun,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,nov,dec  
     Chloris (formerly Carduelis) sinica
     (Chloris s. minor breeds in Japan, Chloris s. kawarahiba is a winter visitor)
     
     Another name for the Oriental Greenfinch has been Gray-capped Greenfinch.
     
     
520. Eurasian Siskin  (Ma-hiwa)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,jun  KY:jan,nov  AM:jan,dec  OK:jan 
     Spinus (formerly Carduelis) spinus  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     A male Eurasian Siskin photographed during a FONT Japan Tour
     in the Spring
     
     
521. Common Redpoll  (Beni-hiwa)  (*) (ph) ______ FW   HK:jan,nov
     Acanthis (formerly Carduelis) f. flammea
     
     
522. Arctic (or Hoary) Redpoll  (Ko-beni-hiwa)  (JAr)  ______
     Acanthis (formerly Carduelis) hornemanni exilipes 
     
     
523. Pine Grosbeak  (Ginzan-mashiko)  (*) (ph) ______ SS   HK:jun
     Pinicola enucleator sakhalinensis
     
     
524. Common (or Red) Crossbill  (Isuka) (*) (ph) ______  FW   KY:jan
     Loxia curvirostra japonica
     
     
525. Two-barred (or White-winged) Crossbill  (Naki-isuka)  (JAr)  ______
     Loxia leucoptera bifasciata
     
     
526. Asian Rosy Finch  (Hagi-mashiko) (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan  HI:apr  HK:jan,feb,nov 
     Leucosticte arctoa brunneonucha
     
     
     
     
     Asian Rosy Finches are seen during FONT Japan Tours
     in the Winter
     
     
527. Long-tailed Rosefinch  (Beni-mashiko)  (*) (ph) ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb  HI:apr  HK:may,dec  KY:jan 
     Uragus sibiricus sanguinolentus
     
     
     
     
     A Long-tailed Rosefinch in Japan in the Winter
     
     
528. Pallas's Rosefinch (JAr)  (O-mashiko)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr
     Carpodacus roseus portenkoi
     
     
     
     
     The Pallas's Rosefinch has been seen during FONT Japan Tours
     in both the Winter & the Spring, but more so in the Winter
      
      
529. Common (or Scarlet) Rosefinch  (Aka-masiko)  (JAr)  ______
     Carpodacus erythrinus
     
     
530. Bonin Grosbeak  (Ogasawara-mashiko)  ______  (extinct)
     Chaunoproctus ferreorostris
     
     The Bonin Grosbeak was endemic to the Ogasawara Islands. It was discovered in 1827. A search for it in the 1850s was unsuccessful. Apparently it was uncommon and extirpated by introduced mammals.    
     
     
531. Eurasian Bullfinch  (Uso)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN;jan,feb,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,may  KY:jan,nov
     Pyrrhula pyrrhula
     Pyrrhula p. rosacea (on Hokkaido)
     Pyrrhula p. griseiventris  (on Hokkaido & Honshu, sometimes known as "Grey-bellied Bullfinch")
     
     
532. Japanese Grosbeak  (Ikaru)  (*)  ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HI:may  HK:jan,may,jun  KY:jan,may,nov
     Eophona p. personata
     
     
533. Chinese Grosbeak  (JAr)  (Ko-ikaru)  (JAr) (*) (ph)  ______  SS   HI:may
     Eophona m. migratoria
     
     
     
     
     Chinese Grosbeaks during a FONT Japan Tour on Hegura Island 
     
     
534. Hawfinch  (Shime)  (*) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,nov  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,may,jun,dec  KY:jan
     Caccothraustes caccothraustes japonicus
     
     
535. Wilson's Warbler  (JAr)  ______
     Wilsonia pusilla
     
     
536. Snow Bunting  (Yuki-hojiro)  (*) (ph) ______ FW   HK:jan
     Calcarius (formerly Plectrophenax) nivalis vlasowae
     
     
537. Lapland Bunting (or Longspur)  (Tsumenaga-hojiro)  (*)  ______  FW  HK:jan
     Calcarius lapponicus kamtschaticus
     
     
538. Grey Bunting  (JAneb)  (Kuroji)  (*)  ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,may.jun,nov,dec  HI:may  HK:may  KY:jan,feb  AM:dec  OK:feb
     Emberiza v. variabilis
     
     
539. Black-faced Bunting  (Aoji)  (*) ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun,nov  HI:apr,may  HK:may,jun  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec  AM:jan,feb,nov,dec 
     Emberiza spodocephala personata  (breeds throughout Japan: "Masked Bunting")
     Emberiza s. spodocephala  (breeds on mainland Asia; winters in Nansei Shoto & seen in migration on Hegura Island)
     
     
     
     
     Black-faced Bunting
     
     
540. Japanese Yellow Bunting  (Nojiko)  (t3) (JAeb) (*) ______ SS  HN:may  HI:may  
     Emberiza sulphurata  (monotypic)
     
     The Japanese Yellow Bunting has also been called Siebold's Bunting.. 
     
     
541. Meadow Bunting  (Hijiro)  (*)  ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jun  HI:may(once)  HK:jun  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,nov,dec
     Emberiza cioides ciopsis
     
     
542. Yellow-breasted Bunting  (Shima-aoji)  (*) (ph) ______ SS  HI:may  HK:jun 
     Emberiza aureola ornata
     
     
     
     
     Yellow-breasted Buntings breed on Hokkaido, Japan
     in the Spring and Summer
      
     
543. Chestnut Bunting  (Shima-nojiko)  (JAr) (*)  ______ SS   HI:may
     Emberiza rutila  (monotypic)
     
     
544. Chestnut-eared (or Grey-headed) Bunting  (Hoaka)  (*)  ______  SS,FW   HI:may  KY:jan,feb,dec
     Emberiza f. fucata
     
     
545. Rustic Bunting  (Kashiradaka)  (*)  ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,dec  KY:jan,nov,dec
     Emberiza rustica latifascia
     
     
546. Elegant Bunting  (Miyama-hojiro)  (*) (ph) ______ SS,FW   HN:jan  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,feb,may,nov,dec  AM:feb,dec 
     Emberiza e. elegans
     
     The Elegant Bunting has been called the Yellow-throated Bunting. 
     
     
     
     
     Elegant Buntings breed on mainland Asia, but in the winter they occur in Japan.
     During that season, they've been seen during FONT tours on Honshu, Kyushu, & Amami.   
     The species has also been seen during FONT Japan Tours in the Spring.
       
     
547. Yellow-browed Bunting  (Kimayu-hojiro)  (JAr) (*)  ______  SS   HI:may
     Emberiza chrysophrys  (monotypic) 
     
     
548. Little Bunting  (Ko-hoaka)  (JAr) (*)  ______  SS   HI:may
     Emberiza pusilla  (monotypic)
     
     
549. Tristram's Bunting  (Shirohara-hojiro)  (JAr) (*) (ph) ______  SS   HI:may
     Emberiza tristrami  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     
     A Tristram's Bunting during a FONT Japan Tour on Hegura Island
     
     
550. Common Reed Bunting  (O-jurin)  (*)  ______  SS,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:dec  KY:jan,feb,nov,dec
     Emberiza schoeniclus pyrrhulina
     
     
551. Pallas' Reed Bunting  (Shiberia-jurin)  (JAr) (*)  ______  FW   KY:jan,feb,nov
     Emberiza pallasi minor
     
     
552. Japanese Reed Bunting  (Ko-jurin)  (nt) (*) (ph) ______  SS,FW  HN:jan,apr,may  
     Emberiza y. yessoensis
     
     The Japanese Reed Bunting has also been called the Ochre-rumped Bunting.
     
     
     
     
     A singing Japanese Reed Bunting photographed 
     during a FONT Japan Tour in the Spring 
     (photo by Paul West)  
     
     
553. Pine Bunting  (Shiraga-hojiro)  (JAr)  ______
     Emberiza leucocephala
     
     
554. Black-headed Bunting  (Zuguro-chakincho)  (JAr)  ______
     Emberiza melanocephala
     
     
555. Ortolan Bunting  (Zuao-hojiro)  (JAr)  ______
     Emberiza hortulana
     
     
556. Yellowhammer  (Ki-aoji)  (JAr)  ______
     Emberiza citrinella
     
     
557. Savannah Sparrow  (Sabanna-shitodo)  (JAr)  ______
     Ammodramus sandwichensis
     
     
558. Fox Sparrow  (Gomafu-suzume)  (JAr)  ______
     Passerella (formerly Zonotrichia) iliaca unalaschcensis
     
     
559. White-crowned Sparrow  (Miyama-shitodo)  (JAr)  ______
     Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii
     
     
560. Golden-crowned Sparrow  (Kigashira-shitodo)  (JAr)  ______
     Zonotrichia atricapilla
     
     
561. Song Sparrow  (JAr)  ______
     Melospiza melodia
     
      

Some Additional Notes:

The Desert Wheatear, a rarity in Japan, was seen in Tokyo during the January 1998 FONT tour, present by a small river in the city. It attracted many Japanese birders (including numerous photographers). Food was put out for the rather tame bird. Thus, it came in closely to observers (including us). 

The Mugimaki Flycatcher, of the Asian mainland, is a rare bird in Japan, other than on Hegura and other offshore islands in the Sea of Japan, where it's a regular migrant, normally in May or October.
In January, the species is normally found in southern China, Indonesia, and rarely the Philippines. The breeding range is northern Asia: Manchuria, southern Siberia, and west to Inner Mongolia. Migration, in the Spring and the Fall, is normally through eastern and central China, Korea, and Indochina. The species has been seen in Japan in the Spring during our tour on Hegira Island in the Sea of Japan. 
But more surprisingly, during the FONT 1996 Japan Winter Birding Tour, on January 28, a pair of Mugimaki Flycatchers were seen well in southern Kyushu. The male and female, associating with each other, in a forested area, at a roadside stop, in the Ebino Plateau. The male was photographed.

The Eurasian Magpie has occurred in Japan for decades on the island of Kyushu in the area of Fukuoka. Recently, it has also occurred locally in southwestern Hokkaido.

To Top of Page