Asian Rosy Finch

Although I'm now in Thailand, here's still a post about Japanese birds. After finding a flock of the Asian Rosy Finches at the top of Mt. Tsurumi on February 2, I revisited the place again on the next morning. I arrived at the summit around 9AM but there was no sign of the finch. I walked around the area and found nothing but the common stuff like Long-tailed and Willow Tits, Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers and Meadow Buntings. I almost thought that I'd fail seeing any Rosy Finch, but I tried waiting for them until around noon, when the birds were seen the day before. After 12 a single Rosy Finch finally flew up from the hill on the east and perched on the electric pole near the lawn. It then came down to the ground and I could finally get some shots of it in good light. Since the weather was incredibly good, the photos looked much better than the ones I got earlier. The bird didn't stay for long though, because one of the tourists came walking down the yard and chased the bird away.

Asian Rosy Finch (Leucosticte arctoa brunneonucha)

After the first bird has gone, I waited for about half an hour and another bird came. This one was a more colourful male. It has darker blackish face with much brighter pink feathers. Fortunately, it was about the time when the number of the tourists decreased, so I could spend my time taking photos of the bird without being interrupted. This new bird was much more approachable, not tame though. I had to crawl slowly across the lawn and waited motionlessly for it to come closer to me. It eventually came closer than 2 m. though! I was exceedingly happy with the results, well who wouldn't!

There's just no need for cropping!

The bird later moved to another area because of the tourists. I followed and took some more shots of it. It was later accompanied by another female bird which has much drabber plumage. The female was a bit more wary at first, but then came as close as the male. Both of them occasionally stopped feeding to drink some water from the melting snow. Although the number of the birds was much less than the day before, I was very satisfied with the results. At least, I didn't have to waste 1,400yen for the transportation. If I didn't go for it at that time, I would never have the chance again, as I was about to go back to Thailand, and these birds should be disappeared to the north by the time I get back to Japan again in April. I know now the meaning of an expensive bird.

Non-breeding male Asian Rosy Finch

Here's the female