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)
Category: Resident Birds
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)
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
Okinawa Robin
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
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