Shima Enaga Hokkaido Photography Tour and My Bonnie Bird

Having spent more than 20 years photographing in Hokkaido, I am familiar with the different habits of the Shima Enaga during breeding and non-breeding seasons. From approximately April to June/July, the breeding season, the flocks of 10 - 20 birds break up, and the Shima Enaga form monogamous pairs. Male birds stay within the territories, while females tend to explore neighboring territories. If a monogamous pair of Shima Enaga are disrupted during the beginning of nesting, it has been reported that due to high predation rates, the Shima Enagas may choose to build a new nest or even take a new mate. This behavior helped me understand why female Shima Enaga visit neighboring territories; breeding with another mate potentially of a higher rank in the flock will make for more successful breeding opportunities.  While exploring Japan’s north island on my annual Hokkaido Wildlife Birding Photography Expedition Workshop, I tend to look to the trees between 2.5 and 10 meters to catch the Shima Enaga emerging from their nests or taking flight in search of food. I can’t wait to get back in the field this winter to photograph this bonny bird.