Common Reed Bunting sexing - November 2024, Hong Kong (1 Viewer)

[hkminghk]

Please kindly advise on the sex of this bird. Thanks in advance.

 

[johnallcock]

Male. The black bib is very clear on the view from the front.
At the start of the winter, the black head feathers have paler tips, giving a pattern than resembles females. The black is exposed by wear of the feather tips. As well as the breast, you can see darker bases to the feathers of the ear coverts and crown (most obvious on the first photo)

 

[hkminghk]

Thank you very much for your reply and clear explanations.