kkoel

The pale bill base may indicate that the bird is a first-winter. The fact that all male Fujian photos on OBI were taken in Hong Kong and are of the same 3 individuals suggests a sample bias - photos of adult males wintering in Indochina (and this individual in King's Park) show black bill base too, for example in this nice shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulocoteriano/5527877830/; also the Sha Tin Pass male by PWMK on OBI also shows a black bill base.

On the other hand for Rufous-bellied, it seems to me that the extent and saturation of solid rufous down to the vent, and the obvious full azure shining shoulder brand are more consistent diagnostic features.

[ Last edited by kkoel at 3/03/2013 23:29 ]

kkoel

To me all the Hong Kong birds above in this thread are Fujian Niltava, and I think the excellent photos taken by Wilson and Cntlaw illustrate the diagnostic features of Fujian Niltava quite well:

1. Paler vent/belly than the breast - you can always see a lot of white on the belly, especially on Cntlaw's shots and Wilson's 3rd photo, where the even lighting shows up the white on lower belly pretty well on the King's Park Bird despite the presence of pale rufous vent.
2. Lack of extension of gloss down to the nape
3. Lack of well-defined shoulder gloss

Please compare with the photo of a true Rufous-bellied Niltava below:
1. Note rufous vent, belly and breast - which are of uniform colour.
2. The glossy forehead + crown extends into the nape, which contrasts well with dark ear coverts;
3. The shoulder patch is sharply bordered and contrasting, where is Fujian this has blurred border, varies with angle and is less contrasting.


http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/ruf ... ra/fabulous-species

Having said that, I draw my conclusions from field guide descriptions and photos online and I'm happy to be corrected. =)

[ Last edited by kkoel at 16/03/2013 13:44 ]