Species information
Scientific name: Columba janthina
Japanese name: カラスバト
Chinese name: 黑林鴿
English name: Black wood pigeon
Origin: China (Shandong Province), Korea, Japan
Ecology and description
This species has 3 subspecies:
- C. j. janthina : China (Shandong Province), Korea, Japan (south of central Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Izu Islands, Oki island, Okinawa Islands, Goto Islands, Satsunan Islands)
- C. j. nitens : Endemic subspecies of Japan (Ogasawara Islands, Volcano Islands)
- C. j. stejnegeri : Endemic subspecies of Japan (Sakishima Islands) found on Miyakojima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Yonaguni.
Black wood pigeon primarily dwells in the canopy layer, making it difficult to spot and sometimes only detectable by its call.
Reference: Wikipedia
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Observing Black wood pigeon (C. j. janthina) on Okinawajima is extremely difficult due to its declining numbers; even its calls have become rare. I am fortunate to spot it about once a year. During a visit to Amami Oshima, luck was on my side when I spotted Black wood pigeon on the roadside; it flew to a nearby branch as I got out of the car, allowing me to take a photo.
