At about 1pm on Tuesday, I was coming down past the Upper School on Po Toi when a redstart flew in front of me on to an overhanging branch at the Lower School. When I looked at it, I could see it was a grey colour, wrong and too dark for a Daurian Redstart, and when it turned around I could see it did not have a white patch on the wing.
I started taking photos following the bird as it went down the steps. In a few minutes it reached the bottom and flew off towards the tall trees around the jetty. I did not see it again.
My first thoughts were Black Redstart but when I looked through the photos later that evening, certain things did not fit and I now think it is possibly a first winter female? Blue-fronted Redstart. Here are the photos in sections, the last photo in each section is a Daurian Redstart for comparison
From this view you can see the different wing pattern, also note the red on the tail of the X Redstart does not reach the end of the tail, a feature of Blue-fronted. The wings of this bird are longer than those of the Daurian, and when held tightly together the red rump is not visible.
Note the grey colour by comparison with Daurian. Also the striking eye-ring, the flecking of orange on the lower belly and the red undertail again does not reach the end of the tail.
Note the slight mottling on the breast, the blue flecking around the head, the upper wing, scapulars and mantle and again the red on the tail does not reach the end.
Some other points to note. I did not see the X Redstart 'shivver' its tail. Also it made a fairly continuous call, 'tic tic' much like a European Robin.
Looking at OrientalBirdImages, this bird looks most like a female Blue-fronted, some of which have the blue flecking around the head, with the mottled breast suggesting a first winter bird? Or maybe it's something else?
Help from the experts gratefully accepted.
[ Last edited by wgeoff at 15/12/2009 05:07 ] Author: kmatthew Time: 13/12/2007 17:30
I agree with you that this is a Blue-Fronted Redstart!! Great find Geoff!! Author: wgeoff Time: 14/12/2007 18:10
Thanks Matthew.
In the absence of any other comment on either ID or feather condition, can I assume it will pass through the Committee as Category A on the nod?? Author: kmike Time: 14/12/2007 23:51
a wonderful record Geoff - I certainly hope so! Author: kmatthew Time: 15/12/2007 00:27
If so, we are another step closer to the 500 species goal in HK!! Author: lpaul Time: 18/12/2007 12:27
I have to say, I am not convinced that this is a female Blue-fronted Redstart. The tail pattern does not look right; it should be really well defined and should also be apparent on the underside of the tail - which it is not; the upperparts look too grey; the pale tips to the greater coverts are thin and off-white (on photos of first-winter Blue-fronted they appear broad and very pale); the under tail coverts are rather bright.
The tail pattern should be stunningly obvious in the field which it does not seem to have been as it is not mentioned.
Finally, the usual call of Blue-fronted Redstart is a really distinct dry rattle; very different to the Robin-like call described.
In all in think this is 'only' a Black Redstart!
BTW Blue-fronted is already in the HK list (Cat E) on the basis of one in Pok Fu Lam CP on 25 May 1997. Author: wgeoff Time: 20/12/2007 16:44
Thanks for the id and detailed comments Paul.
On first reading of your reply, I thought you were wrong to say Black Redstart. The features I found difficult to relate to Black Redstart were particularly the blue flecking on the head and shoulders, the strong white eye-ring and the fact that the red does not reach the end of the tail.
However, this time I took the trouble to go through all the Black Redstart photos on Orientalbirdimages and Birdguides and there are many photos of Black Redstarts which show these features. So I am now convinced you are right (as usual).
Anyway, a good Cat A is better than a doubtful Cat E any day.
Thanks. Author: ajohn Time: 28/12/2007 13:32
As a warning, I was watching a Daurian Redstart this morning on which the white in the wing was usually invisible while the bird was perched. It was obvious in flight, however.
I'm not suggesting that is the case with the Po Toi bird (I think there are a number of other features that don't fit), just warning that observers are careful not to dismiss Daurian if the white is not obvious!
Welcome to HKBWS Forum 香港觀鳥會討論區 (http://hkbws.org.hk/BBS/)
