Hair-crested Drongo — First Record for Ishigaki Island (with video)
A Hair-crested Drongo appeared on Ishigaki Island, a first record for the island. In strong wind and rain it was catching insects flying — or being blown — past it. It is noticeably larger and more solidly built than a Black Drongo, and despite the overcast conditions the gloss on its plumage was quite striking.
The Hair-crested Drongo was first recorded in Japan on Yonaguni Island in 2000. Since then, a handful of records have followed from the Okinawa main island and surrounding islands.
With today's Hair-crested Drongo, all three species of the genus Dicrurus recorded in Japan are now on my list. Hopes are now turning to the possible arrival of the Bronzed Drongo, which has yet to be recorded in Japan.
While at work, a message came in through our group chat: "Greater Racket-tailed Drongo confirmed." I fidgeted through the rest of my shift, then rushed to the spot two hours after the alert — and managed to find the bird in driving rain and wind!!
Thanks to 石垣島BIRD観察, the first to find it, my life list got a new entry. ^^
It was larger than Black Drongo and Ashy Drongo, and gave an impression of being more composed. Slightly wary of crows and Grey-faced Buzzards, it still perched at branch tips and caught insects blown in by the strong wind.