Pavo cristatus Japanese Name: インドクジャクChinese Name: 孔雀、印度孔雀English Name: Common peafowl, Peafowl, Indian peafowl, Blue peafowlOrigin: India, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian regions The peafowl was first introduced to Okinawa Prefecture on Aragusuku Island in the Yaeyama Islands, and later in 1979 as an ornamental bird at a resort on Kohama Island. Subsequently, it was… Continue reading Peafowl
Tag: Miyakojima
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
Ryukyu Flying Fox
Species information Scientific name: Pteropus dasymallusJapanese name: クビワオオコウモリChinese name: 琉球狐蝠English name: Ryukyu flying fox / Ryukyu fruit batOrigin: Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan Ecology and description The Ryukyu flying fox is divided into several subspecies across the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan. The Okinawa flying fox is relatively common on Okinawa Island. These bats enjoy a variety… Continue reading Ryukyu Flying Fox
Polynesian Rat
Species information Scientific name: Rattus exulansJapanese name: ナンヨウネズミChinese name: 緬甸小鼠、波里尼西亞鼠English name: Polynesian ratOrigin: Southeast Asia Ecology and description Although Polynesian rat originally comes from Southeast Asia, it has invaded many places, including Miyakojima in Japan. The routes of invasion are unclear. Polynesian rat is good at climbing trees and can often be seen in the… Continue reading Polynesian Rat
Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica Japanese Name: キンバトChinese Name: 翠翼鳩English Name: Emerald DoveOrigin: Widely distributed in Asia, only found in Japan’s Sakishima Islands (Miyako Island to Yonaguni Island) In Japan, this species is a resident bird from Miyako Island southward to Yonaguni Island. Miyako Island is the easiest place in Japan to observe this species. The male has white… Continue reading Emerald Dove
Okinawa Scops Owl
Species information Scientific name: Otus elegans elegansJapanese name: リュウキュウコノハズクChinese name: 琉球角鴞、優雅角鴞琉球亞種English name: Okinawa scops owlOrigin: Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description The Elegant scops owl (Otus elegans) consists of 4 subspecies: Okinawa scops owl is the most common owl in Okinawa, with a body length of about 20cm. The main difference from the Ryukyu subspecies of… Continue reading Okinawa Scops Owl