AJP noticed Yellow-cheeked Tits (Machlolophus spilonotus) within the New Territories of Hong Kong final week. They’re marked within the Hong Kong fowl ebook as an unusual resident, but in addition of captive origin. I’m at all times suspicious of that latter label because the fowl is understood to happen throughout China not that far to the north. The habitat – mature woodland – wouldn’t have been out there for a lot of a long time not less than. Images from the early a long time of the twentieth century present a much more denuded panorama and with the usage of something for firewood throughout and instantly after the Japanese occupation, mature woodland was very sparse certainly. Re-introduction by manmade (i.e. the cage fowl market) or pure (i.e. vary enlargement) means would appear a greater time period.
Regardless of the origins of the current inhabitants, it’s a beautiful little fowl.
