Bull-Headed Shrike
And the Japan Life List (photographed) gets to 77. I went down to the river not expecting to get much, and my expectations were met–a ton of Tree Sparrows, a few Great Tits, two common Spot-billed Ducks, one Egret, some Crows and Bulbuls, and a few Wagtails. Very pedestrian. But then a bird flew into a nearby tree and nearly posed for me, and I could see from its size and basic shape that it was probably something new–and it was. It’s not too rare a bird, but it’s the first time I have seen the Bull-headed Shrike (Mozu • モズ).
Here’s another one of the same bird, deeper in the tree. If you click on it, there’s a 1000-pixel-wide blowup.
At first, I thought it was a Brown Shrike (harder to tell from behind), but there’s a very small white spot on its wing which tells the difference.
Just found your page and have loved reading the “Bird Watching” reports. While I’ve been in Japan for several years now, I have only just recently found the time to return to this wonderful hobby. In Australia I was bird bander, and also once worked as a warden at the remote “Eyre Bird Observatory” in Western Australia. Look forward to reading more on your site!
Thanks! Good to hear that. Let me know if you find any good watching spots! Do you live in the Tokyo area?
Live in Kanagawa. Work in Tokyo. Will report on any good spots I find
I have lived in Japan quite a few years and have just taken up bird-watching. I love your site…and look forward to coming back often.