Species information Scientific name: Larvivora namiyeiJapanese name: ホントウアカヒゲChinese name: 沖繩歌鴝English name: Okinawa robinOrigin: Northern Okinawajima Ecology and description Okinawa robin is an endemic species found in the Yambaru area of northern Okinawajima. Male Okinawa robin have black feathers from the breast to the face, while females have gray feathers in the same area. Okinawa robin… Continue reading Okinawa Robin
Category: Birds
Ryukyu Robin
Species information Scientific name: Larvivora komadoriJapanese 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 bird) Ecology and description Ryukyu robin are distributed on islands north of Tokunoshima in the Ryukyu Islands, but in winter, they may migrate south, with records of sightings on Okinawajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan,… Continue reading Ryukyu Robin
Lidth’s jay
Species information Scientific name: Garrulus lidthiJapanese name: ルリカケスChinese name: 琉球松鴉English name: Lidth’s jayNative to: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima Ecology and description Lidth’s jay is endemic to Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima and Ukejima (Tokunoshima has only a record from 1920). It is a National Natural Monument of Japan and the prefectural bird of Kagoshima. It declined in… Continue reading Lidth’s jay
Black Wood Pigeon
Species information Scientific name: Columba janthinaJapanese name: カラスバトChinese name: 黑林鴿English name: Black wood pigeonOrigin: China (Shandong Province), Korea, Japan Ecology and description This species has 3 subspecies: 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… Continue reading Black Wood Pigeon
Slaty-legged Crack
Species information Scientific name: Rallina eurizonoides sepiariaJapanese name: オオクイナChinese name: 灰腳秧雞（琉球亞種）English name: Slaty-legged crackOrigin: This subspecies is found on Okinawajima, Miyakojima, and the Yaeyama Islands. Ecology and description The Ryukyu subspecies of the slaty-legged crack is distributed across several islands in Okinawa, with Miyakojima and Ishigaki being the areas where it’s more commonly observed. Adult… Continue reading Slaty-legged Crack
Yaeyama Crested Serpent Eagle
Species information Scientific name: Spilornis cheela perplexusJapanese name: カンムリワシChinese name: 八重山大冠鷲、琉球蛇鵰English name: Yaeyama crested serpent eagleOrigin: This subspecies is only found on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands Ecology and description Yaeyama crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela perplexus) is a subspecies of the crested serpent eagle, found only on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands. It is rare, with… Continue reading Yaeyama Crested Serpent Eagle
Ruddy Kingfisher
Species information Scientific name: Halcyon coromanda bangsiJapanese name: リュウキュウアカショウビンChinese name: 琉球赤翡翠English name: Ruddy kigfisherOrigin: Summer visitor to the Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description Ruddy kigfisher in Ryukyu Islands refers to the subspecies Halcyon coromanda bangsi of the Ruddy kingfisher. It winters in the Philippines and breeds in the Ryukyu Islands during summer. Compared to the… Continue reading Ruddy Kingfisher
Asian Emerald Dove
Species information Scientific name: Chalcophaps indicaJapanese name: キンバトChinese name: 翠翼鳩English name: Asian emerald doveOrigin: South Asia, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Ryukyu Islands (Miyakojima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hatomajima, Yonaguni) Ecology and description The Asian emerald dove is about 25cm long. Males have white feathers from the forehead to above the eye, while females have gray ones. In… Continue reading Asian Emerald Dove
Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Zosterops japonicus loochooensisJapanese name: リュウキュウメジロChinese name: 日菲繡眼（琉球亞種）、琉球綠繡眼English name: Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)Origin: Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Yoronjima, Okinawajima, Agunijima, Yagajijima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Izenajima, Kerama Islands, Kumejima, Miyakojima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Yonaguni, Hateruma Ecology and description This is one of the subspecies of the Warbling white-eye (Zosterops japonicus). In the nominate subspecies… Continue reading Warbling white-eye (Ryukyu subspecies)
Ryukyu Northern Boobook
Species information Scientific name: Ninox japonica totogoJapanese 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 northern boobookOrigin: Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description The scutellate boobook that was previously recognized in Japan was identified under the scientific name Ninox scutulata. In 2002, this species was reclassified as a distinct species from Ninox scutulata. It is further divided… Continue reading Ryukyu Northern Boobook