This individual shows loose hair-like feathers on its nape, characteristic of the Bulbul family (Pycnonotidae). Brown-eared Bulbul is sometimes placed in the genus Microscelis (e.g.Brazil 2009) and sometimes in the genus Ixos. The latest version of the Clements checklist reverts the genus to Hypsipetes following recommendations by Oliveros & Moyle (2010).
Up to 14 subspecies have been recognized with northern birds being larger and grayer and southern populations (mostly on small islands) being smaller and browner. Here I provisionally follow Clements/eBird in recognizing the proposed race H. a. hensoni (Hokkaido) which is usually considered a junior synonym and merged with the large gray nominate race (HBW, IOC, H&M4). Stejneger (1892) described hensoni as similar to nominate but with noticeably paler flanks and lighter tone to its underparts. However this description was based on an examination of only five Hokkaido specimens. Differences are slight and continued recognition of hensoni is probably not supportable. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
Brazil, M. 2009. Birds of East Asia. Princeton Univ. Press.
Fishpool, L. & Tobias, J. (2017). Brown-eared Bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/58035 on 21 June 2017).
Oliveros, C.H. & Moyle, R.G. (2010) Origin and diversification of Philippine bulbuls. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 54(3): 822–832.
Stejneger, Leonhard. 1892. Notes on a collection of birds made by Mr. Harry V, Henson in the Island of Yezo, Japan. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 15(904): 289-359, 1 pl.. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.15-904.289