Posts from Jan. 6, 2024--Wild bird photography and birdwatching on Okinawa Main Island and the Yaeyama Islands (Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, Taketomi Island, and more)

Five Greylag Geese, Taiga Bean Goose, and Tundra Bean Goose

Jan. 6, 2024

Five Greylag Geese currently staying. They are together with Tundra Bean Geese and Taiga Bean Geese. A group of five Greylag Geese — I hadn't seen that since two years ago in northern Okinawa Island.

Bean Goose / Greylag Goose / Tundra Bean Goose

Five Greylag Geese with a Tundra Bean Goose (right) and a Bean Goose (third from right). The Bean Goose is of the small type, so possibly the tundra form. All adults. The individual thought to be a Lesser White-fronted Goose appears to have separated from the flock.

Greylag Goose

Two Grey-lag Geese — this was back at the end of last year when there were only the two of them.

Greylag Goose

Grey-lag Geese in the rain. They made it through the new year. I wonder how long they'll stay.

Categories: 野鳥

An All-White Light-vented Bulbul

Jan. 6, 2024

I thought a remarkably white bird had just flown past — and it turned out to be an almost entirely white Light-vented Bulbul. I wondered at first whether it was an albino, but looking at the photos there seems to be a little pigment remaining. Initially I wasn't sure — Light-vented Bulbul? Japanese Bush Warbler? Wagtail? — but the call, "ji-biru, ji-biru," settled it as a Light-vented Bulbul.

While I was photographing it, about ten other Light-vented Bulbuls quickly joined in. They were feeding on the ripe berries of Japanese beautyberry and schefflera.