Katherine,
In one sense, you are right. It is Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus, as this will be the name of the species if/when the RC adopts the IOC List as the standard in terms of taxonomy for HK.
However, according to Urquhart's 'Stonechats' book, nominate maurus (under the newer taxonomy) is apparently virtually identical to S.m. stejnegeri, differing only in showing variably less white on the rump/uppertail coverts, and slightly more extensive rufous on the breast. It seems the differences are subtle indeed.
On range, of course, maurus occurs far to the north and west of HK. Interestingly, though, Urquhart it includes one record of a vagrant in Taiwan. One wonders how this was identified...
As for HK, we continue to regard birds occurring here as stejnegeri, based on range.
Geoff C
[ Last edited by cgeoff at 27/02/2010 09:01 ]
