twallace

Is it Hodgson Hawk Cuckoo 棕腹杜鵑
Shing Mun 2/9/2009

HFCheung

Looks good to me.  The overall shape, streaks on breast and tail tip rule out all others.  However, Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo has been split.  Which particular species this bird should be assigned would be beyond me.

HF Cheung

twallace

Many thanks to Dr.Cheung~~

lmichael

Ho Fai is correct about the fact that this species has been split but even with the split this taxon is still Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor; this is the breeding taxon in south China and probably breeds in HK though not proven yet. The taxon in north China H. hyperythrus (Northern Hawk Cuckoo) has a plain pinkish breast and has occurred in HK (just once  I think from memory).

Excellent photos!

Mike Leven

ajohn

Most Hodgson's Hawk cuckoo records are of vocalising birds in spring. Congratulations on managing to find this bird at this time opf year and getting such good photographs.

Details of the split are given in the 2003-04 Bird Report, which mentions that the latest recorded date for Hodgson's is 31st July. Northern Hawk Cuckoo has been recorded 3 times, between 29th September and 27th October.

Please remember to submit details of this very significant record

twallace

Many thanks for Mike Leven & John's detailed information~~