Asian Koel breeding? Black Drongo still present, Ryukyu Scops Owl incubating (video)
Hearing an Asian Koel calling, I scanned with binoculars and spotted a male singing from the top of a she-oak. It looked approachable, so I eased the car forward carefully. Even at 100 metres it showed no sign of alarm. I kept closing in. The track ended about 20 metres short, so I continued on foot, using the undergrowth as cover, and managed to get right beneath the she-oak where the Asian Koel was singing. It seemed unaware of me, and I had a close, impressive view of both the bird and its call. Asian Koel have been recorded here before, but from around 2020 the number arriving on Ishigaki Island in May has increased considerably.
After about ten minutes of observation, a female Asian Koel called from a nearby thicket — there appeared to be two individuals. The male then disappeared, seemingly drawn by the female's call, so I searched the area. A Large-billed Crow, thought to be a likely host for Asian Koel brood parasitism, also appeared to be building a nest nearby. This could be a real chance to confirm breeding!!
Black Drongo have been turning up in good numbers across Ishigaki, Okinawa Main Island and elsewhere in the Nansei Islands this season. The peak has passed, but I counted two birds on this day. I think they will be wrapping up soon.
The Ryukyu Scops Owls that breed near my home every year appear to have started incubating again this year. The chicks should fledge in early July.
A male Large Hawk-Cuckoo. I was able to observe it at quite close range for an extended period.
A Large Hawk-Cuckoo about 100 metres away. A Brown-eared Bulbul was perched nearby, which made the size of the Large Hawk-Cuckoo stand out all the more. True to its status as the largest of Japan's cuckoos, it was about the same size as a Large-billed Crow.
A Black Drongo that turned up in a rice paddy. An individual retaining a lot of old feathers — perhaps in the middle of a moult into first-summer plumage.
A front view of the same individual as above. Old feathers are also conspicuous around the breast. A second individual was confirmed separately the same day.
A Ryukyu Scops Owl that breeds every year near my home. The nest tree appeared to be the usual Casuarina.