Black-naped Monarch or Black-naped Blue Flycatcher

[Enrique Frio]

Black-naped Monarch or Black-naped Blue Flycatcher (Hypothymis azurea)

This male appears to be in molting, as the normally clean face, forehead, and neck areas are sprouting the beginnings of new feathers.

Its black crown and black neck ring are quite distinct. This bird is found from India and Sri Lanka to Indonesia, Hongkong, and the Philippines (which has the nominate species).

Taken at Eden Nature Park and Resort, Davao [Sept. 27, 2010]

To Bob Kaufman - I saw this bird in your blog, also taken at Eden - could it be the same one?

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Canon 7D + 100-400 L IS USM lens; 1/250s; f5.6; ISO 800; Subject Distance - 8.36 m [cropped] @400 mm; Fill Flash




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Canon 7D + 100-400 L IS USM lens; 1/250s; f5.6; ISO 800; Subject Distance - 8.36 m [cropped] @400 mm; Fill Flash




adminnote:Admin Note: I moved this earlier to the ID board because I initially thought (from a cursory glance at the title) that it was asking for ID help. It turns out it was giving alternative names. So back to the original board it goes.

[Bob Kaufman]

It looks very similar to what I saw - very scruffy, untidy looking. Good job on getting him real close.

Here's the image that I have which I posted in my blog:

[Ely Teehankee]

It certainly looks like the bird is molting. I think this occurs once a year with all birds. Nevertheless the picture was well taken with minute details of the new feathers growing.
Well done Enrique. Mabuhay.

[JV Noriega]

Very nice captures Enrique!

[Enrique Frio]

Thanks, Romy - I should have put the alternative name in parentheses.

Thanks, Bob - it seems like we caught the same bird from the serrations on the tail feathers, but the forehead molt feathers are not in your bird. Oh well, the more of them, the merrier!

Thanks, Ely - it took a bit of careful sharpening (Flickr adds some unexpected sharpening of uploaded Jpegs!) to bring the molt feathers out. I wish that I could have been closer to even have more sharpness in the shot. Looking at the EXIF data (capture times) of the 5 frames I got, it alighted on the San Francisco branches to my side and skittishly posed for only 6 seconds! Just some reflex shots - I'll try to get better ones when I get the chance.

Thanks, JV! It happened so quickly that I didn't even have time to check my histogram! Oh well, there's always next time ....

[Enrique Frio]

P.S. I think in no. 1 he looks like Mr. T, with the mohawk and the moustache + sideburns + beard, and a black necklace to match.