Last Look at the Collared Kingfisher for 2024
Before heading home to Nagoya I went for one last look at the Collared Kingfisher for 2024. Temperatures have dropped and crabs — its main prey — seem to be less available; its ranging area has expanded considerably.
The Common Hoopoe was still present too, but my camera was already packed in the carry-on bag, so no photos this time.
There was also a strangely pale Chinese Pond Heron. Looking closely, the median coverts on the left wing are white. Three Chinese Pond Herons are wintering in the same area.
The last Collared Kingfisher of the year. This happy blue bird drew many birdwatchers to Ishigaki Island. Moult appears to have begun slightly, with fresh bright feathers coming in on the head. I hope it stays until the plumage is fully renewed.
A Chinese Pond Heron with only the left wing coverts white. Hard to tell whether the feathers have dropped out, are dishevelled, or this is partial albinism.
Related Posts
- How to Get a Permit for the Kunigami Village Forest Road Night Restriction（Sept. 2, 2016）
- Three Days of Birding: First Swinhoe's Snipe of the Season, Glossy Ibis, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and More（April 17, 2021）
- Grey-headed Swamphen day 4 (video)（Oct. 20, 2023）
- Canvasback and Ferruginous Duck Hybrid (Video)（Jan. 6, 2019）
- Hen Harrier, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Garganey, first Greater White-fronted Goose of the season, and more（Oct. 25, 2023）
- Eurasian Woodcock Down to the Last One（March 6, 2019）
- Collared Kingfisher Again, Following Yesterday（Aug. 16, 2017）
- Oriental Plover and Pacific Golden Plover（April 4, 2016）
- Whiskered Tern in Flight（Oct. 15, 2015）
- サシバの渡りピーク（Oct. 15, 2013）