subbuteo

This is a juvenile Japanese tit subspecies commixtus, the common local race.  Young tits are often very yellow, presumably camouflage?

Quote:

Original posted by gordonvr at 21/10/2023 07:27
45180

subbuteo

Quote:

Original posted by gordonvr at 22/10/2023 12:30
Thanks, subbuteo.  In "A Photographic Guide to the Birds of HK" it is described as "vagrant", while in the later-published Field Guide it is "abundant and widespread resident".  What is the actual pos ...

The current status is as outlined in the new field guide. There is a lot of debate about the whole group and I am not informed enough to give you the answer, sorry.

subbuteo

Quote:

Original posted by John Holmes at 25/10/2023 08:49
From the HKBWS 2022 minutes....

Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus 蒼背山雀
Recent DNA evidence from southeast China conclusively shows that the taxon commixtus is a subspecies of Japanese Tit Parus minor  ...

I defer to my informed colleague!

subbuteo

Quote:

Original posted by gordonvr at 26/10/2023 06:44
Indeed!  Thanks, John.

Just to be very clear, in the Field Guide the juveniles of Parus minor are described as yellower (than adults) but there is no such colouration noted for juvenile Parus cinereo ...

This bird is most likely Parus minor commixtus "which is very common and widespread in HK".