First-ever Grey-headed Swamphen!! Pheasant-tailed Jacana and Javan Pond Heron also in residence (video)
I have found a Grey-headed Swamphen — a first record!! There were apparently three records on the mainland in the 1970s and one on Okinawa Island in 1995, but all have been ruled as escapes, so there is no accepted record. There is therefore a strong possibility this will become the first accepted national record after further review.
A planned assignment was cancelled, so I reluctantly stopped by the paddies — and found it. At first I thought it was a Watercock, but when I put binoculars on it, question marks started spinning through my head. "Wait, a Takahē?" "No, Takahē can't fly." "Could this be a Grey-headed Swamphen!!!!!!" — and the enormity of it became real.
The genus Porphyrio has several members worldwide; they were formerly treated as subspecies, but after splitting the IOC list now recognises at least seven species. Among them, this bird struck me as closest to the Philippine Swamphen.
In the 2023 eighth edition of the Check-List of Japanese Birds it is listed as a species under consideration. I would like to take this opportunity to write up a report and have it elevated from that status.
When a bird you hadn't even considered turns up, you have no idea what you're looking at…. ^^;
It was eating the seeds and roots of grass growing on the paddy berm.
A juvenile Pheasant-tailed Jacana also turned up, but was completely upstaged by the Purple Swamphen.
Same individual as above. A Pheasant-tailed Jacana stretching.
The distinctive ornamental tips of the flight feathers are also visible.
A Javan Pond Heron currently staying at several locations around the island.
The Purple Heron was waiting in its usual spot.
The Pin-tailed Snipe have disappeared entirely, but a few Common Snipe remain.
A first-winter Spotted Redshank also turned up.
Ruff are turning up in rice paddies here and there this season as well.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, juvenile.
A male Mandarin Duck had also turned up. There is apparently a Garganey among them too, but I couldn't find it….