Graptopsaltria bimaculata Japanese Name: リュウキュウアブラゼミChinese Name: 琉球油蟬English Name: Graptopsaltria bimaculataOrigin: Okinawa Island and surrounding islands, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Tokunoshima Reference：“Okinawa’s Cicadas” by Shinsei Publishing In Japan, a different species of Aburazemi (G. nigrofuscata) is found north of Yakushima, while Ryukyu Aburazemi is endemic to the central Ryukyu Islands, including the Amami and Okinawa Islands. The… Continue reading Ryukyu Aburazemi
Author: YanbaruWanyu
Polynesian Rat
Rattus exulans Japanese Name: ナンヨウネズミChinese Name: 緬甸小鼠、波里尼西亞鼠English Name: Polynesian RatOrigin: Southeast Asia Though native to Southeast Asia, the Polynesian Rat has invaded numerous areas, including Japan’s Miyako Island, though the exact invasion route is unclear. This species is skilled at climbing trees and is frequently seen in the forests of Miyako Island. Reference：Japan invasive species… Continue reading Polynesian Rat
Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica Japanese Name: キンバトChinese Name: 翠翼鳩English Name: Emerald DoveOrigin: Widely distributed in Asia, only found in Japan’s Sakishima Islands (Miyako Island to Yonaguni Island) In Japan, this species is a resident bird from Miyako Island southward to Yonaguni Island. Miyako Island is the easiest place in Japan to observe this species. The male has white… Continue reading Emerald Dove
Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Zosterops japonicus loochooensis Japanese Name: リュウキュウメジロChinese Name: 琉球綠繡眼、日菲繡眼琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Warbling White-eyeOrigin: Islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, south of Amami Oshima This subspecies is one of the subspecies of the Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus). Compared to the nominate subspecies found in Japan, which has a brownish color under the wings, the Ryukyu subspecies has a whiter chest.… Continue reading Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Ryukyu Brown Hawk-Owl
Ninox japonica totogo Japanese Name: リュウキュウアオバズクChinese Name: 琉球褐鷹鴞、日本褐鷹鴞琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Brown Hawk-OwlOrigin: Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands The Brown Hawk-Owl found in Japan was previously classified under the scientific name Ninox scutulata. However, in 2002, this species was separated from Ninox scutulata and recognized as a distinct species. It is further divided into the following three subspecies:… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Hawk-Owl
Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Treron permagnus Japanese Name: リュウキュウアオバトChinese Name: 琉球綠鳩English Name: Ryukyu Green PigeonOrigin: Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Green Pigeon was once considered a different subspecies of the Taiwan Red-headed Green Pigeon (Treron formosae). However, recent molecular studies support its classification as a distinct species. Unlike the Red-headed Green Pigeon, the Ryukyu Green Pigeon does not have a… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Japan Scops-Owl (Ryukyu subspecies)
Otus semitorques pryeri Japanese Name: リュウキュウオオコノハズクChinese Name: 日本領角鴞（琉球亞種）、北領角鴞（琉球亞種）English Name: Japan Scops-OwlOrigin: Central and Southern Ryukyu Islands The Japan Scops-Owl is found in Japan, China, Korea, and Russia, and is divided into three subspecies: The Ryukyu subspecies of the Japan Scops-Owl is about 22 cm in size, slightly larger than the similar Ryukyu Scops Owl (Otus… Continue reading Japan Scops-Owl (Ryukyu subspecies)
Ryukyu Scops Owl
Otus elegans elegans Japanese Name: リュウキュウコノハズクChinese Name: 琉球角鴞、優雅角鴞琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Scops OwlOrigin: Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Scops Owl（Otus elegans）is divided into four subspecies: The Ryukyu Scops Owl is the most common owl in Okinawa, with a body length of about 20 cm. The main difference between this species and the Ryukyu subspecies of the Japanese… Continue reading Ryukyu Scops Owl
Okinawa Rail
Hypotaenidia okinawae Japanese Name: ヤンバルクイナChinese Names: 沖繩秧雞, 山原秧雞, 山原水雞English Name: Okinawa RailOrigin: Northern Okinawa Island The Okinawa Rail is approximately 35cm long and weighs around 450g. Its head to tail is dark olive green, with a black face and a white line running from behind the eyes to the neck. Its legs and beak are… Continue reading Okinawa Rail
Okinawa Woodpecker
Sapheopipo noguchii Japanese Name：ノグチゲラChinese Names：野口啄木鳥、沖繩啄木鳥English Name：Okinawa WoodpeckerOrigin: Northern Okinawa Island The Okinawa woodpecker is a species of woodpecker found exclusively in the forests of northern Okinawa, particularly in forests dominated by trees from the Fagaceae family. In dense forests, it feeds on insects such as beetle larvae found in deadwood, and occasionally consumes spiders, small… Continue reading Okinawa Woodpecker