Kuvaus: This is tricky individual. Apparently it is male (black area in lores). According to Byers et al (Buntings and Sparrows)even non-breeding adult males seldom look like this (having more male-like pattern in head). It could be 2cy male. According to Svensson,in spring primary coverts of 2cy males are worn, pointed and wing and tail feathers are also worn. In another photo..tail feathers are worn in this individual. Another problem is subspecies. In Hong Kong mostly two races are typical (Viney et al The Birds of HK and South China): ssp spodocephala and sordida (commoner). Also personata is possible. In sordida underparts are approxinately more yellowish and in ssp spodocephala whiter. Also striking is blacker in sordida in flanks. This individual could be ssp sordida.

Kuvaus: We saw at least two individuals during one week. This was one of the highlights of our trip! Population is decreased strongly and estimation is about 100 pairs in the world!