Halcyon coromanda bangsi
Japanese Name: リュウキュウアカショウビン
Chinese Name: 琉球赤翡翠
English Name: Ruddy Kingfisher
Origin: Summer migrant to the Ryukyu Islands
The Ryukyu Ruddy Kingfisher is a subspecies of the Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda bangsi). During winter, it resides in the Philippines, while in summer, it migrates to the Ryukyu Islands for breeding. Compared to the subspecies that migrates to mainland Japan (Halcyon coromanda major), the Ryukyu subspecies has more vibrant purple feathers on its back and a larger silvery-blue patch.
The call of the Ryukyu Ruddy Kingfisher can be heard as early as April on Okinawa Island, although it is difficult to spot due to its forest-dwelling habits. Breeding is more commonly observed on Iriomote and Ishigaki Islands than on Okinawa. In the Yaeyama Islands, the Ryukyu Ruddy Kingfisher often nests within the arboreal nests of Nasutitermes takasagoensis, a termite species native to the region and found throughout the southern Ryukyu Archipelago. The bird tunnels into the termite nests, and after the termites repair the outer structure, the interior hollow provides an ideal space for raising chicks. On Okinawa Island, where these termites are absent, they may use old tree cavities for nesting.
