The last few weeks, I photographed 2 adult males Red-flanked Bluetails at the Botanical Gardens (Hanoi). They were quite different: one had dark blue (Prussian blue) upperparts and shining blue eyebrow; the other one had lighter blue upperparts and white eyebrow.
After some research it appears that they belong to 2 sub-species, respectively rufilatus and cyanurus. But recently, rufilatus has been elevated to species rank as Himalayan Bluetail (Tarsiger rufilatus) on the basis of its more intense blue colour and its migratory behaviour (short-distance altitudinal migrant, not a long-distance migrant). A patch tick and a lifer for me!
Even by your standards this is exceptional birding Sebastian!
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon...
DeleteAs you know the quality of birding at this location can be highly variable. One day ecstatic, the day after very boring...
But this season is not so bad ;)
Sebastien