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Subject: Record Committee Decision 2025 [Print This Page]
Author: HKBWS Tung    Time: 9/03/2025 18:17     Subject: Record Committee Decision 2025

At a meeting on 21 January 2025, the Record Committee made the following decisions:

Addition to Cat I

• Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis – recorded at Po Toi on 31 October 2023
With increasing records in neighbouring region (i.e. Pearl River Delta), good plumage condition, suitable location and date of this record, this species is added into Cat I of the Hong Kong bird list.

Addition to Cat III

• Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni – recorded at Po Toi on 7 December 2023
Given this species’ natural distribution, being sedentary and date of this record, this bird is more likely not of natural origin.

• Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja – recorded at Tuen Mun on 24 December 2023 and Po Toi on 4-6 January 2024
Evidence of feather damage and sub-urban location of the first record suggests it may have originated from captivity. The second record refers to an individual which could not be assigned to subspecies identification due to lack of good quality photos. In addition, different species of sunbird were found in the local bird market in that period. All these are favour to place this species in Category III based on these available information.

New subspecies record

• Ornate Sunbird Cinnyris ornatus subspecies flammaxillaris – recorded at Lion Nature Education Centre, Sai Kung on 18 November 2024
This is a similar case to the Little Pied Flycatcher. Given this species’ natural distribution, being sedentary and date of this record, this bird is more likely not of natural origin.

The HK list now stands at 585 species in Cat I and II. An updated HK List will also be published.

Species under review

Mountain Hawk Eagle Nisaetus nipalensis at Long Valley, 5 October 1995
- Second review concluded as Not Proven. This species remains in Category I of the Hong Kong List from the only accepted (and the first) record at Luk Keng, 7 May 1988.

URF assessment update

- In progress. Birdwatchers are still encouraged to submit URF to HKBWS Record Committee.

Hong Kong Bird Report

- HKBR 2021 is now under preparation and HKBR 2022 is under planning.

HKBWS & eBird Partnership

• Official collaboration started; open data from eBird can now be used by HKBWS.
• eBird is actively promoted to encourage bird record submissions.

IOC Update (Version 15.1 draft)

• No changes affecting the Hong Kong List.

IUCN Red List Update

• No changes for Hong Kong species.

Satellite-Tracking Data in Bird Records

• Discussion on whether tracking data alone should count as a formal records in Hong Kong including the “first record”.
• Key concerns are lack of direct visual confirmation and potential behavioral changes (human-induced) in tracked birds.
• No final decision yet; further discussions and references to other record committees are planned.

Date of next meeting
•        April - May 2025

Yu Yat-tung
Chairman, Record Committee
Author: HKBWS Tung    Time: 9/03/2025 18:22

[中文翻譯]
紀錄委員會於2025年1月21日舉行會議，作出以下決定。

加入第I類鳥種

• 林鵰Ictinaetus malaiensis — 2023年10月31日於蒲台島記錄
隨著鄰近地區（即珠江三角洲）的記錄增加、該鳥羽毛狀況良好、合適的地點和日期，這鳥種被列入香港鳥類名錄的第 I 類鳥種。

加入第III類鳥種

• 小斑姬鶲Ficedula westermanni — 2023年12月7日於蒲台島記錄
鑒於該鳥種的自然分佈、留鳥的特性及本記錄的日期，這種鳥很可能並非自然遷徙至香港。

• 黃腰太陽鳥Aethopyga siparaja — 2023年12月24日於屯門、2024年1月4日至6日於蒲台島記錄
第一個記錄的照片顯示該鳥羽毛有損傷和接近市區的位置表明牠有可能源於籠養。第二個記錄則由於缺乏高質素照片而無法鑒定這個體的亞種。此外，在此期間有發現本地鳥類市場出售多種太陽鳥。根據這些資訊，紀錄委員會認為把這鳥種歸入第III類鳥種是最適合的做法。

新增亞種記錄

• 黃腹花蜜鳥Cinnyris ornatus亞種 flammaxillaris — 2024年11月18日於西貢獅子會自然教育中心記錄
這與上述的小斑姬鶲的情況類似。鑒於這鳥的自然分佈、留鳥的特性及和這記錄的日期，這種鳥很可能不是自然起源的，推測可能來自籠養/放生。

《香港鳥類名錄》第I類及第II類遞增至585種，更新的香港鳥類名錄亦會再稍後出版。

鳥種審議

鷹鵰Nisaetus nipalensis - 1995年10月5日於塱原
•第二次審查的結論是未能證實。這鳥仍被列入香港鳥類名錄的第I類鳥種，記錄來自唯一被接納的（亦是首次）紀錄在1988 年 5 月 7 日於鹿頸 。

罕有雀鳥紀錄表（URF）評估更新

•  繼續進行中，紀錄委員會仍收集及鼓勵觀察者提交URF及其他鳥類記錄。

《香港鳥類報告》進度

• 香港鳥類報告2021目前正在準備中，香港鳥類報告2022亦開始進行規劃。

與eBird合作

• 香港觀鳥會與eBird正式展開合作，eBird開放數據可供香港觀鳥會使用。
• 香港觀鳥會正推廣eBird，鼓勵觀鳥者提交鳥類記錄。

世界鳥類名錄（IOC）更新（15.1版本）

• 沒有涉及香港鳥類名錄的變更。

IUCN紅色名錄更新

• 沒有涉及香港鳥種的變更。

衛星追蹤數據作為首筆記錄的爭議

• 討論是否應接受僅憑衛星追蹤數據作為正式的在香港的紀錄，包括「首個紀錄」。
• 主要爭議點為沒有直接觀察個體的證據，以及追蹤設備（人為因素）可能改變鳥類本身的行為。
• 未有最後決定，需要更多討論及參考其他鳥類紀錄委員會的做法。

下次會議時間

• 擬定於2025年4 - 5月舉行。

紀錄委員會主席
余日東
Author: HKBWS Tung    Time: 16/06/2025 02:13

At a meeting on 12 May 2025, the Record Committee made the following decisions:

Addition to Cat I and II
- Chinese Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola thoracicus at San Kwai Tin, Northeast New Territories, 31 October 2022 to 3 June 2023. At this location, a single or pairs, including a recently fledged juvenile, were recorded. Furthermore, reviews of records from recent years suggest that this species may have a sustainable population in the NE New Territories. The Chinese Bamboo Partridge is a resident of South China, including the nearby Shenzhen (where the population could also be feral), which is included in the definition of Cat IIA of the Hong Kong List. Consequently, this species has been reclassified into Cat IIA.

- Hooded Crane Grus monacha was found at Tai Lam Chung Reservoir on 13 and 15 March 2024. The body and plumage of the crane were in excellent condition. Given the location of this observation, the potential vagrancy of the species (with records in Taiwan and the Philippines), and the date of the observation, it is likely that this individual was a wild crane visiting Hong Kong under natural conditions.

- Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa was found at Shui Hau, Lantau, 1 June 2024. This individual displaying its breeding plumage provided a straightforward identification for this species. This record was accompanied by an approach of a tropical cyclone, which brought strong winds and heavy rainfall. The location of this record also supports a wild origin for this bird.

Addition to Cat III
- Black-chinned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus leclancheri at Lai Chi Kok Park, Kowloon, 25 August 2024. This individual was discovered in an urban park, where wild migrants and escaped birds have been recorded. While the body and plumage conditions were generally satisfactory, this species was previously unknown for its migratory and movement patterns and has not been recorded in mainland China. Consequently, a cautious approach was adopted to assess its status in Hong Kong, and it has now been added to Cat III of the Hong Kong List. With the discovery of further records of this species in Hong Kong and the neighbouring areas, its status may be subject to review.

- Slay-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolour at Ngong Ping, Lantau, 24 October 2022. A female or immature of this species was photographed, and this record was deposited in an online biodiversity database. Examination of the photographs revealed the loss of tail feathers and disheveled primaries of the bird, indicating its pre-captive origin. It is added to Cat III of the Hong Kong List.

Other notable records of potential changes to the Hong Kong List
- Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni at Lui Kung Tin (Shek Kong Catchment), 28 February and 5 March 2024. One individual, presumably the same bird, was photographed during these dates. A thorough examination of its body and feather conditions revealed the loss of tail feathers and apparent foot disease. These findings strongly suggest a pre-captive origin for this bird. Consequently, this species remains classified in Cat III of the Hong Kong List.

- Brown-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa williamsoni at Ho Man Tin, 2 April 2024. A flycatcher with brownish plumage resembling an Asian Brown Flycatcher was photographed and initially identified for this species. However, after searching literature and online photographs of this species, the submitted images did not provide conclusive evidence for identification. The Record Committee has decided to submit this record to an overseas expert for further investigation. One possibility is that the bird is in a different subspecies of the Asian Brown Flycatcher, specifically the siamensis subspecies, which is relatively little known and has a restricted distribution range in Southeast Asia. Therefore, this record is still under review.

The HK list now stands at 588 species in Cat I and II. An updated HK List will be published in a latter day.

Other review of records
Species names update for three species in Cat III of the Hong Kong List:
• Javan Sparrow Padda oryzivora
• Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis moluccensis
• Vinous-breasted Myna Acridotheres leucocephalus

Reviews of Green-backed, Narcissus and Ryukyu Flycatchers in Hong Kong
A total of 32 records (URF) of these flycatcher species from 1996 to 2022 were reviewed in the light of a published paper of identification of the female/immature of these species (Bakewell et al. 2021) and other online photos. Below is the summary of the results:
- Green-backed Flycatcher has a total of 6 records In Hong Kong up to 2020. The first two records were in spring (11 April 1996 and 29 March 1997), and the other four records from 2011 to 2019 came in the autumn (extreme dates: 4 Oct to 10 Nov).
- Ryukyu Flycatcher has a total of 12 records (in 9 individuals) up to 2022. All records fell in the spring within extreme dates of 26 March to 13 April, and no autumn record so far.
- Narcissus Flycatcher is a regular migrant in spring with fewer records in autumn. This review brought up six late autumn and early winter records. All were in female/immature plumage within the period of 23 October to 8 December.

URF assessment update
- Birdwatchers are encouraged to submit URF (Unusual Record Form) for rare species and excel spreadsheet for other commoner species in annual basis.
- More birdwatchers are using eBird now. HKBWS is now an official eBird partner and help review eBird records.

Hong Kong Bird Report
- HKBR 2021 has collected major papers and systematic checklist. Other parts including editorial preface, advertisement, photos, etc., are now under preparation.
- HKBR 2022 has progress on several papers, systematic list which needs to handle large amount of data, would need helps from AI tools.

IOC update (Version 15.1 Draft)
- No changes affecting the Hong Kong List.

IUCN Red List update
- Several species including Black-faced Spoonbill, Manchurian Reed Warbler, Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler and other are now under review. Their status could be changed in the second half of 2025.

URF requirement
Species are now required for URF submission – Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Bonell’s Eagle and Upland Pipit.

Date of next meeting
Record assessment will still be conducted but no meeting is scheduled in the summer months. The next meeting is scheduled in early October 2025.

Yu Yat-tung
Chair Record Committee, HKBWS
Author: HKBWS Tung    Time: 16/06/2025 02:18

[中文翻譯]
紀錄委員會於2025年5月12日舉行會議，作出以下決定。

加入第I及II類鳥種
灰胸竹雞 – 2022年10月31日至2023年6月3日於新界東北新桂田記錄
在這個地點記錄得單隻或成對，包括一隻剛換羽的幼鳥。此外，在近年來記錄的復審表明，該鳥種在新界東北區已有穩定的種群。灰胸竹雞是華南的留鳥，分佈包括鄰近的深圳（那裡的種群可能是野化的），這已歸入香港鳥類名錄第 IIA 類的定義。因此，該鳥種被歸類為第 IIA 類。

白頭鶴 – 2024年3月13-15日於新界大欖涌水塘記錄
從提交的照片中看到，鶴的身體和羽毛狀況良好。鑒於這次觀察的地點、該種的迷鳥紀錄可能性（在臺灣和菲律賓有記錄）以及觀察的日期，這個個體很可能是一隻野生的鶴，在自然情況下經過香港。

爪哇池鷺 - 2024 年 6 月 1 日於大嶼山水口被發現。
這鳥身上披有繁殖羽為該種的分辨提供了最直接的識別。記錄當天有熱帶氣旋接近，帶來了強風和大雨，這條件及此記錄的位置亦支持此鳥是野生來源的。

加入第III類鳥種
黑頦果鳩 - 2024 年 8 月 25 日於九龍荔枝角公園記錄。
這鳥是在市區公園裏發現的，這公園一直有野生候鳥和逃逸鳥類的紀錄。雖然身體和羽毛狀況總體上令人滿意，但該鳥種的遷徙和活動模式不明，在中國大陸也沒有記錄。因此，紀錄委員會採取了較審慎的方法來評估其在香港的狀況，先將其列入第III類。如果未來在香港及鄰近地區發現該鳥的更多記錄，其狀況會被復審。

灰藍姬鶲 - 2022 年 10 月 24 日於大嶼山昂坪記錄。
一隻這種的雌鳥或未成年鳥被拍攝，該紀錄被存入網上生物多樣性資料庫。 對照片的檢查顯示，這隻鳥的尾羽有損傷和初級飛羽有淩亂，表明牠的來源有籠養過。因此加入到第III類鳥。

其他重要記錄
褐冠鵑隼- 2024 年 2 月 28 日和 3 月 5 日於雷公田（石崗集水區）
在這些日期期間，有人拍到了一個個體，可能是同一隻鳥。對牠的身體和羽毛狀況進行徹底檢查後，發現有尾羽脫落和明顯的足部疾病。這些發現表明這隻鳥來自籠養。因此，該鳥種仍被歸類為第III類鳥。

褐紋鶲 - 2024 年 4 月 2 日於何文田記錄
一隻羽毛呈棕色及類似於北灰鶲的鶲給拍下照片，並初步確定了該鳥種。然而，在查證該鳥種的文獻和網上照片後，提交的照片並沒有為鑒定提供確鑿的證據。記錄委員會已決定將此紀錄提交給海外專家進行進一步調查。一個可能性是北灰鶲的另一個亞種，特別是siamensis亞種，後者相對鮮為人知，在東南亞的分佈範圍較狹窄。因此，此記錄仍在審議中。

《香港鳥類名錄》第I類及第II類遞增至588種，更新的香港鳥類名錄亦會再稍後出版。

其他紀錄審議
第III類鳥名單中的學名改動及更新，包括：
禾雀 Padda oryzivora
藍翅葉鵯 Chloropsis moluccensis
紅嘴椋鳥 Acridotheres leucocephalus

綠背、黃眉、琉球姬鶲紀錄審議
根據已發表的鑒定這些鳥種的雌性/未成年的文章（Bakewell 等2021）和其他網上照片，審查了 1996 年至 2022 年這些姬鹟物種的共 32 個記錄 （URF）。以下是結果摘要：
- 綠背姬鶲在香港直至2020年有6個記錄。前兩項紀錄是在春季（1996 年 4 月 11 日和 1997 年 3 月 29 日），2011 年至 2019 年的其他四項紀錄是在秋季（極端日期：10 月 4 日至 11 月 10 日）。
- 琉球姬鹟在香港直至2022共有 12個紀錄（涉及個體9 隻）。所有記錄都在 3 月 26 日至 4 月 13 日的春季內錄得，到目前為止還沒有秋季記錄。
- 黃眉姬鷂是春季常有的過境遷徙鳥，秋季的紀錄較少。這次復審找出了六個晚秋和初冬紀錄，在 10 月 23 日至 12 月 8 日期間，所有都是雌性/未成年鳥。

罕有鳥類記錄表(URF)審議及更新
鼓勵觀鳥者發現稀有鳥種後，可提交罕有鳥類記錄表，並每年提交其他常見鳥種的 excel 電子表格。
現在有更多的觀鳥者正在使用 eBird。香港觀鳥會現在是 eBird 的合作夥伴，並幫助審查 eBird 紀錄。

香港鳥類報告
香港鳥類報告2021 已經收集了主要文章和分類總覽。其他部分包括圖片目錄、編者序言、紀錄委員會報告、廣告、照片等，目前正在準備中。
香港鳥類報告2022 在多篇文章上取得進展，分類總覽需要處理大量數據，很可能需要AI工具來加快撰寫工作。

世界鳥類名錄（IOC）更新（15.1版本）
• 沒有涉及香港鳥類名錄的變更。

IUCN紅色名錄更新
包括黑臉琵鷺、遠東葦鶯、史氏蝗鶯等在內的幾個鳥種目前正在審查中。他們的瀕危級別可能會在 2025 年下半年會有改動。

需要提交罕有雀鳥紀錄表審查
紀錄委員會決定以下鳥種需要提交罕有雀鳥紀錄表：勺嘴鷸，白腹隼鵰，山鷚。

下次會議日期
紀錄評審仍將進行，但夏季不會安排會議。下一次會議定於 2025 年 10 月初舉行。

香港觀鳥會紀錄委員會主席
余日東
Author: HKBWS Tung    Time: 25/10/2025 13:45

[No meeting was scheduled for the summer, as record assessments were completed remotely using an online platform.]
At a meeting on 22 September 2025, the Record Committee made the following decisions:

Addition to Cat I and II
•        No new species were added to Category I or II.
•        The Hong Kong List remains at 588 species in Cat I and II.

New Subspecies Record
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica siamensis, Ho Man Tin, 2 April 2024
- Identification was confirmed with overseas expert.
- Due to unknown migration patterns and lack of records in China, Checklist Sub-committee treated as a likely pre-captive origin in vote of 2:1.
- Status may be reviewed if further data on movement patterns becomes available.


Addition to Cat III
Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis, Mui Wo, Lantau, 14 February 2021
- Unanimously accepted into Cat III.

Proposed Status Change
Great Myna Acridotheres grandis
- Proposed move from Cat III to Cat IIB due to increasing records suggesting possible colonization.
- Decision pending further analysis needed, particularly find confirmed breeding records locally.
- [Remarks: Birdwatchers are encouraged to submit breeding records or evidence, e.g. nest location, nest building behaviour, chicks or young fledgling records, of this species.]

Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica
- Review of records has started and further discussion in the next meeting.

URF assessment update
•        URF assessments are underway, including: Hen Harrier Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, White Wagtail (baicalensis), Barn Swallow (tytleri), Shikra, Brown-eared Bulbul, etc.
•        RC and HKBWS office are working on transferring eBird records into URFs for documentation.

Hong Kong Bird Report (HKBR)
•        HKBR 2021: Translated into Chinese; to be published by end of 2025.
•        HKBR 2022–2025: Publishing plan in place.

Taxonomy and Global Lists

AviList Adoption
•        AviList, a new global bird list, was published in June 2025 (www.avilist.org).
•        RC will adopt AviList for the HK List from early 2026, after the October 2025 eBird taxonomy update and further hormonisation of IOC and Clement bird lists.
•        RC to provide feedback on English bird names via AviList website.

IUCN Red List Update
•        Anticipated status changes for species including Black-faced Spoonbill, Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler, Rustic Bunting, etc.
[Post-meeting remarks: IUCN Red List released 2025 Update in early October. Changes of status include: Philippine Duck downlisted to LC, Black-faced Spoonbill downlisted to VU, Schrenck’s Bittern uplisted to NT, Alexandrine Parakeet downlisted to LC, Marsh Grassbird downlisted to LC, Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler downlisted to LC, Rustic Bunting downlisted to NT.]


Any Other Business
•        Asian Glossy Starling: Review was suggested and will start.

Next Meeting
•        Scheduled for January 2026.

Yu Yat-tung
Chairman, Record Committee, HKBWS
Author: HKBWS Tung    Time: 25/10/2025 13:57

[中文翻譯]

[夏季未有安排會議，因紀錄評審已透過網上平台遠端完成。]
紀錄委員會於2025年9月22日舉行會議，作出以下決定：


加入第 I 及 II 類鳥種
•        未有新增鳥種加入第 I 或 II 類。
•        《香港鳥類名錄》第 I 及 II 類仍維持 588 種。

新增亞種紀錄
• 北灰鶲 Muscicapa dauurica siamensis，2024年4月2日於何文田記錄
- 經海外專家確認鑑定。
- 由於遷徙模式不明及中國境內無紀錄，名錄委員會以 2:1 投票決定列為可能逃逸或放生個體。
- 若日後有更多遷徙資料，該紀錄狀況可再作檢討。

加入第 III 類鳥種
• 短尾鸚鵡 Loriculus vernalis，2021年2月14日於大嶼山梅窩記錄
- 一致通過列入第 III 類。

鳥種狀況更改建議
• 林八哥 Acridotheres grandis
- 建議由第 III 類提升至第 IIB 類，因紀錄數量增加，顯示可能已在本地建立種群。
- 決定暫緩，需進一步分析，尤其確認繁殖紀錄。
【備註：鼓勵觀鳥者提交繁殖證據，如巢址、築巢行為、雛鳥或幼鳥紀錄。】

• 灰頭椋鳥 Sturnia malabarica
- 已開始審查紀錄，並將於下次會議進一步討論。

罕有鳥類紀錄表（URF）評審最新情況
• 評審工作持續進行中，包括：白尾鷂、黃腹柳鶯、白鶺鴒（baicalensis亞種）、家燕（tytleri亞種）、褐耳鵯等。
• 紀錄委員會與鳥會辦事處正研究如何將 eBird 紀錄轉換為 URF 格式以納入資料庫。

《香港鳥類報告》進度
• 2021年報告：中文翻譯接近完成，預計於2025年底出版。
• 2022–2025年報告：已制定出版計劃。

鳥類名錄更新及全球鳥類名錄

AviList 採納計劃
• AviList 為2025年6月推出的新全球鳥類名錄（www.avilist.org）。
• 紀錄委員會計劃於2026年初採納 AviList，並配合2025年10月 eBird 分類更新，以及世界鳥類名錄和Clement鳥類名錄更多合併。
• 委員會將透過 AviList 網站提供英文鳥名意見回饋。

IUCN 紅色名錄更新
• 預期若干鳥種將有保育狀態變更，包括：黑臉琵鷺、史氏蝗鶯、田鵐等。
【會後註：IUCN 已於10月初發布2025年更新，變更包括：棕頸鴨降級至無危，黑臉琵鷺降級至易危，紫背葦鳽升級至近危，亞歷山大鸚鵡降級至無危，斑背大尾鶯降級至無危，史氏蝗鶯降級至無危，田鵐降級至近危。】

其他事項
• 建議審查亞洲輝椋鳥紀錄，並將展開相關工作。

下次會議
• 預定於 2026年1月舉行。

紀錄委員會主席
余日東



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