Species information Scientific name: Terpsiphone atrocaudataJapanese name: サンコウチョウChinese name: 紫綬帶English name: Black paradise flycatcherOrigin: Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands), Korean Peninsula, Lanyu, Batan Island in the Philippines Ecology and description The black paradise flycatcher is a summer visitor in Okinawa. From about April to October, it stays and breeds in Japan, including Okinawa, and then… Continue reading Black paradise flycatcher
Category: Birds
Varied tit (Amami subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Sittiparus varius amamiiJapanese name: アマミヤマガラChinese name: 雜色山雀（奄美亞種）English name: Varied tit (Amami subspecies)Origin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Gajajima in the Tokara Islands Ecology and description The Amami subspecies of the varied tit (Sittiparus varius amamii) is found on Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, and Gajajima in the Tokara Islands. Other subspecies occur elsewhere… Continue reading Varied tit (Amami subspecies)
Asian tit (Okinawa subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Parus cinereus okinawaeJapanese name: オキナワシジュウカラChinese name: 白頰山雀（沖繩亞種）、遠東山雀（沖繩亞種）English name: Asian tit (Okinawa subspecies)Origin: Okinawajima, Yagajijima, Zamamijima Ecology and description The Okinawa subspecies of the Asian tit (Parus cinereus okinawae) is found on Okinawajima, Yagajijima and Zamamijima. Other subspecies occur elsewhere in Japan: the nominate subspecies P. c. minor on mainland Japan, P.… Continue reading Asian tit (Okinawa subspecies)
Grey-faced Buzzard
Species information Scientific name: Butastur indicusJapanese name: サシバChinese name: 灰面鵟鷹、灰面鷲English name: Grey-faced BuzzardOrigin: Breeds in Russia, China, Korea, and Honshu, Japan. Migrates to Southeast Asia for winter. Ecology and description Grey-faced Buzzard migrates through the Ryukyu Islands from breeding grounds in Honshu, Japan, and other regions, heading to Southeast Asia by early October. Flocks of… Continue reading Grey-faced Buzzard
Ryukyu Minivet
Species information Scientific name: Pericrocotus tegimaeJapanese name: リュウキュウサンショウクイChinese name: 琉球山椒鳥English name: Ryukyu minivetOrigin: Kanto region to Kyushu, Japan, and Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description The Ryukyu minivet has a grey belly. Males have a blacker head, while females have a greyer head. They are easier to observe during the breeding season in spring. Originally, the… Continue reading Ryukyu Minivet
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
Species information Scientific name: Yungipicus kizukiJapanese name: コゲラChinese name: 小星頭啄木鳥English name: Japanese pygmy woodpeckerOrigin: Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands), Korea, parts of northeastern China. Ecology and description The Japanese pygmy woodpecker is approximately 13-15 cm in length and is a small woodpecker. It sometimes forages in mixed flocks with the Japanese white-eye or other tit… Continue reading Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
Ryukyu Flycatcher
Species Information Scientific name: Ficedula owstoniJapanese name: リュウキュウキビタキChinese name: 琉球姬鶲English name: Ryukyu flycatcherOrigin: Ryukyu Islands (Osumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture ~ Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture) Ecology and Description Previously considered a subspecies of the Narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina), it is now regarded as an independent species. Sightings on Okinawajima are rare and infrequent. Field… Continue reading Ryukyu Flycatcher
Okinawa Rail
Species information Scientific name: Gallirallus okinawaeJapanese name: ヤンバルクイナChinese name: 沖繩秧雞、山原秧雞English name: Okinawa railOrigin: Northern Okinawajima (endemic) Ecology and description 1. Appearance The Okinawa rail has a total length of approximately 35 cm and weighs about 450 g. The plumage from the crown to the tail is deep olive-green, the face is black, and a white line… Continue reading Okinawa Rail
Amami Woodcock
Species information Scientific name: Scolopax miraJapanese name: アマミヤマシギChinese name: 奄美山鷸English name: Amami woodcockOrigin: The main breeding grounds are Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, and Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands, while it is a winter visitor to Okinawajima. Ecology and description Woodcock species are nocturnal birds. The Amami woodcock is a resident bird of the Amami Islands and… Continue reading Amami Woodcock
Eurasian Woodcock
Species information Scientific name: Scolopax rusticolaJapanese name: ヤマシギChinese name: 山鷸English name: Eurasian woodcockOrigin: Widely distributed across Eurasia, breeding in middle latitudes in summer and wintering in southern areas; it is a winter visitor in the Ryukyu Islands. Ecology and description The Eurasian woodcock can be observed in the Ryukyu Islands from late September to March… Continue reading Eurasian Woodcock