Species information
Scientific name: Sapheopipo noguchii
Japanese name: ノグチゲラ
Chinese name: 野口啄木鳥、沖繩啄木鳥
English name: Okinawa woodpecker
Origin: Endemic to Okinawajima
Ecology and description
Okinawa woodpecker is a woodpecker found only in the Castanopsis forests of northern Okinawa. In dense forests, it feeds on larvae of longhorn beetles and other insects from dead trees but also consumes spiders, small arthropods, and fruits, showing a high dependence on forest environments. The breeding season is from March to May, when it excavates cavities in larger trees to rear its young. Juveniles and males have red crowns, while females have dark brown crowns.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
During our 【Morning Birding】 tour from March to June, it’s easier to observe Okinawa woodpecker as it is the breeding season. After July, the species calls less often, making it harder to find. However, it sometimes flies near the Ada Garden Hotel, so we recommend staying there to observe this species.
Who is “Noguchi” in Okinawa woodpecker?
The naming of Okinawa woodpecker is related to Henry James Stovin Pryer, a British entomologist and ornithologist living in Yokohama during the 18th century (Meiji Era). Pryer collected bird and lepidoptera specimens from various parts of Japan while working at a trading company. In 1886, Pryer came to Okinawa with Mr. Noguchi for collecting purposes. The name was in honor of Mr. Noguchi, who collected a juvenile bird at that time. However, Pryer did not record this Noguchi’s details. Later, it was speculated that this Noguchi might have been Gennosuke Noguchi, an interpreter associated with Pryer, but there is no conclusive evidence.
Additionally, Pryer collected many specimens in Okinawa, including the Pryer’s keelback (Hebius pryeri) and the Ryukyu subspecies of the Japanese scops owl (Otus semitorques pryeri), both named after Pryer. He also compiled the book on Japanese butterflies, contributing significantly to ecological research in Japan.