Scolopax rusticola Japanese name: ヤマシギChinese name: 山鷸English name: Eurasian WoodcockOrigin: Widely distributed across the Eurasian continent. Breeds in temperate regions in summer and migrates south to overwinter. In the Ryukyu Islands, it is a winter visitor. In the Ryukyu Islands, Eurasian Woodcocks that migrate from areas such as Hokkaido can be observed from late September… Continue reading Eurasian Woodcock
Author: YambaruWanyu
Okinawa Robin
Larvivora namiyei Japanese name: ホントウアカヒゲChinese name: 沖繩歌鴝English name: Okinawa RobinOrigin: Northern Okinawajima The Okinawa Robin is an endemic species restricted to the Yambaru region in northern Okinawajima. Males have black feathers from the face to the chest, while females have gray feathers in the same area. They live in the forest understory and feed on… Continue reading Okinawa Robin
Ryukyu Robin
Larvivora komadori Japanese name: アカヒゲChinese name: 琉球歌鴝English name: Ryukyu RobinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Danjo Islands, Tokara Islands (resident or summer visitor) The Ryukyu Robin is distributed across the Ryukyu Islands north of Tokunoshima. In winter, it sometimes migrates southward to overwinter and has been recorded in Okinawajima, Yonagunijima, Taiwan, and even Hong Kong. The population… Continue reading Ryukyu Robin
Amami Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Zhangixalus amamiensisJapanese name: アマミアオガエルChinese name: 奄美樹蛙English name: Amami tree frogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima, Yoroshima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description The Amami tree frog was originally classified as a subspecies of the Okinawa tree frog (Zhangixalus viridis). However, following genetic research and morphological analysis, it was elevated to a distinct species. In… Continue reading Amami Tree Frog
Chinese Peacock Swallowtail
Papilio bianor Japanese name: ヤエヤマカラスアゲハChinese name: 翠鳳蝶、烏鴉鳳蝶（台湾）、碧鳳蝶（香港）English name: Chinese Peacock SwallowtailOrigin: Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, northern Vietnam, India, Myanmar. In Japan, it is found in the Yaeyama Islands. This is a large species of swallowtail butterfly commonly seen in the Yaeyama Islands, but it is also found in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other regions. Its… Continue reading Chinese Peacock Swallowtail
Holst’s frog
Species information Scientific name: Babina holsti Japanese name: ホルストガエルChinese name: 赫氏拇棘蛙、琉球拇棘蛙English name: Holst’s frogDistribution: Northern Okinawajima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description Holst’s frog is designated as a Natural Monument of Okinawa Prefecture. With adults reaching up to 12 cm in length, it is the largest native frog species on Okinawa Island. The breeding season occurs in summer,… Continue reading Holst’s frog
Namie’s Frog
Species information Scientific name: Limnonectes namiyeiJapanese name: ナミエガエルChinese name: 波江大頭蛙, 波江蛙English name: Namie’s frogOrigin: Endemic to northern Okinawajima Ecology and description Namie’s frog inhabits the upper reaches of mountain streams and breeds during the summer. It is characterized by its large head and belongs to the same genus as the Fujian large-headed frog (L. fujianensis)… Continue reading Namie’s Frog
Brown spotted pitviper
Protobothrops mucrosquamatus Japanese name: タイワンハブChinese name: 龜殼花English name: Brown spotted pitviperOrigin: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Taiwan, mainland China The population of Brown spotted pitvipers on Okinawajima is an introduced species from Taiwan, currently found mainly in areas such as the Motobu Peninsula and Onna Village. Between the 1970s and 1990s, large numbers of this species were… Continue reading Brown spotted pitviper
Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus Weevil
Species information Scientific name: Pachyrhynchus infernalisJapanese name: クロカダゾウムシChinese name: 八重山球背象鼻蟲English name: Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus weevilOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima Ecology and description This species is the only representative of the genus Pachyrhynchus confirmed to occur in Japan, and it is found only on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima. Members of this genus are primarily distributed across the Philippine islands, with… Continue reading Yaeyama Pachyrhynchus Weevil
Yambaru Chevron Cricket
Melanabropsis yanbarensis Japanese name: ヤンバルクロギリスChinese name: 山原烏黯螽English name: Yambaru Chevron CricketOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima The Yambaru Chevron Cricket was once thought to be endemic to Okinawajima, but its presence was also confirmed on Kumejima in recent years. It typically inhabits areas near large trees such as Castanopsis sieboldii that can form tree cavities. The presence of… Continue reading Yambaru Chevron Cricket