mguy

With my assumption this is a sub-adult male BLUE & WHITE FLYCATCHER, the obvious would be cyanomelana.... however with the somewhat washed out colours, can I lean in the direction of cumatilis?....
Tai Shan West, Lamma Island, Hong Kong
16:55 - 28th November 2016
D7100 300 AFS 1:4D


[ Last edited by mguy at 2/12/2016 05:46 ]

lpaul

Guy,

Do you have any photos of the breast?

mguy

Hi Paul....
these 2 pics should cover most areas includung rump... only thing I couldn't see on all my pics were anticipated white bits at base of tail (topside)...
(BTW.. FYI... this coming Sunday am having brunch & "open day" at my house & pond just in case you would be interested or available..



[ Last edited by mguy at 29/11/2016 12:48 ]

lpaul

What a remarkable looking bird!  I've never seen anything like this or pictures of anything like this!  The very grey-toned mantle, head and breast are very striking and clearly not retained juvenile plumage.

I asked about the underparts because if you look on OBI there are pictures of first-winter male cumatilis with one or two pure blue feathers coming through.

I don't think this bird can be identified to species, but I certainly understand your rationale behind considering cumatilis.

Finally, thanks for the invite, but I can't make this Sunday.  I will PM you though as I will be on Lamma in December.

mguy

Thank you... just been named as guymillus - lol
Hope you don't mind, but feels good to have a bird you haven't seen before.
Re.. birding brunch... often miss pm's in here... but can pm me on fb... see you in December

mguy

The "UNIDENTIFIABLE" FLYCATCHER made at least 2 visits to the pond today.... this photo is from the late afternoon visit...
(apologies for quality is pic taken at ISO 6400)
Tai Shan West, Lamma Island, Hong Kong
17:22 - 29th November 2016
D7100 300 AFS 1:4D

tsheunglai

Guy and all

I saw the same kind of bird at the Butterfly Garden of Shing Mun Country Park/Reservoir near the red-berry bearing tree that attracts Mugimaki flycatchers.

Unfortunately I briefly saw the upperparts' blue distribution and mistook it to be a Siberian blue robin before it flew away without re-appearance.

S L Tai

mguy

Yep... has been in today as well.... would love another, or a female version to turn up.... but I guess is just wishful thinking

HFCheung

The long primary projection and whitish throat remind me of 1st winter Ultramarine Flycatcher. The lacking of a clear wing-bar on the old wing coverts is a concern to me. May be the whitish tip has been worn out completely.

mguy

Thank you... but you are definitely getting into unchartered territory for me

K_Chan

Hi to all. Not a fan on flycatcher but this caught my attention.
Searched on web, somewhat pointing to Nilgiri Flycatcher (Eumyias albicaudatus)? Or Dull Blue / Pale Blue F~, yet from India areas. Just comparing to photos, nothing expert, not sure if it helps. Look forward to an answer.

http://carolinabirds.org/HTML/AS_Muscicapidae_Flycatcher.htm

mguy

HI... thank you... checked through pics in OBI but not quite right... appreciate your interest, Guy

ajohn

Personally I'm struggling to see anything in this bird other than Blue and White (or Zappey's).
I agree it seems a little colder and greyer on the head and mantle than usual, with a slight blue tinge, resulting in slightly less contrast than normal between the mantle and wings. I had assumed that this was partly due to lighting on the photograph. I think the posture makes it look a bit different from usual as well. The throat pattern (distinct white patch on centre of throat) looks perfect as well.

Searching on the internet there are other photos that show Blue and White with fairly cold grey tones to the head and mantle.
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=23720
http://www.flickriver.com/photos ... /72157632145632934/ (you need to scroll down a bit)
http://orientalbirdimages.org/se ... y_ID=&Location=
http://orientalbirdimages.org/se ... y_ID=&Location=

Incidentally Paul, you mention the OBI pictures of first winter cumatilis that show blue coming through on the throat/breast. Have you seen any pictures of cyanomelana/intermedia showing moult into adult-like plumage (i.e. with black on the throat)? I can only find birds with blue feathers here.

HFCheung

Sounds convincing to me. I have not looked at Blue-and-white and Zappey's carefully enough.