Halcyon coromanda bangsi Japanese Name: リュウキュウアカショウビンChinese Name: 琉球赤翡翠English Name: Ruddy KingfisherOrigin: Summer migrant to the Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Ruddy Kingfisher is a subspecies of the Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda bangsi). During winter, it resides in the Philippines, while in summer, it migrates to the Ryukyu Islands for breeding. Compared to the subspecies that migrates… Continue reading Ruddy Kingfisher (Ryukyu subspecies)
Tag: Okinawajima
Ryukyu Flying Fox
Pteropus dasymallus Japanese 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 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 of plant-based foods, including new leaves,… Continue reading Ryukyu Flying Fox
Ryukyu Aburazemi
Graptopsaltria bimaculata Japanese Name: リュウキュウアブラゼミChinese Name: 琉球油蟬English Name: Graptopsaltria bimaculataOrigin: Okinawa Island and surrounding islands, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Tokunoshima Reference:“Okinawa’s Cicadas” by Shinsei Publishing In Japan, a different species of Aburazemi (G. nigrofuscata) is found north of Yakushima, while Ryukyu Aburazemi is endemic to the central Ryukyu Islands, including the Amami and Okinawa Islands. The… Continue reading Ryukyu Aburazemi
Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Zosterops japonicus loochooensis Japanese Name: リュウキュウメジロChinese Name: 琉球綠繡眼、日菲繡眼琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Warbling White-eyeOrigin: Islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, south of Amami Oshima This subspecies is one of the subspecies of the Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus). Compared to the nominate subspecies found in Japan, which has a brownish color under the wings, the Ryukyu subspecies has a whiter chest.… Continue reading Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Ryukyu Brown Hawk-Owl
Ninox japonica totogo Japanese 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 Brown Hawk-OwlOrigin: Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands The Brown Hawk-Owl found in Japan was previously classified under the scientific name Ninox scutulata. However, in 2002, this species was separated from Ninox scutulata and recognized as a distinct species. It is further divided into the following three subspecies:… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Hawk-Owl
Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Treron permagnus Japanese Name: リュウキュウアオバトChinese Name: 琉球綠鳩English Name: Ryukyu Green PigeonOrigin: Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Green Pigeon was once considered a different subspecies of the Taiwan Red-headed Green Pigeon (Treron formosae). However, recent molecular studies support its classification as a distinct species. Unlike the Red-headed Green Pigeon, the Ryukyu Green Pigeon does not have a… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Japanese Scops-Owl (Ryukyu subspecies)
Otus semitorques pryeri Japanese Name: リュウキュウオオコノハズクChinese Name: 日本領角鴞(琉球亞種)、北領角鴞(琉球亞種)English Name: Japanese Scops-OwlOrigin: Central and Southern Ryukyu Islands The Japanese Scops-Owl (or Northern Boobook) is found in Japan, China, Korea, and Russia, and is divided into three subspecies: The Ryukyu subspecies of the Japanese Scops-Owl is about 22 cm in size, slightly larger than the similar Okinawa… Continue reading Japanese Scops-Owl (Ryukyu subspecies)
Ryukyu Scops Owl
Otus elegans elegans Japanese 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 The Okinawa Scops Owl(Otus elegans)is divided into four subspecies: The Okinawa Scops Owl is the most common owl in Okinawa, with a body length of about 20 cm. The main difference between this species and the Ryukyu subspecies of the Ryukyu… Continue reading Ryukyu Scops Owl
Okinawa Rail
Hypotaenidia okinawae Japanese Name: ヤンバルクイナChinese Names: 沖繩秧雞, 山原秧雞, 山原水雞English Name: Okinawa RailOrigin: Northern Okinawa Island The Okinawa Rail is approximately 35cm long and weighs around 450g. Its head to tail is dark olive green, with a black face and a white line running from behind the eyes to the neck. Its legs and beak are… Continue reading Okinawa Rail
Okinawa Woodpecker
Sapheopipo noguchii Japanese Name:ノグチゲラChinese Names:野口啄木鳥、沖繩啄木鳥English Name:Okinawa WoodpeckerOrigin: Northern Okinawa Island The Okinawa woodpecker is a species of woodpecker found exclusively in the forests of northern Okinawa, particularly in forests dominated by trees from the Fagaceae family. In dense forests, it feeds on insects such as beetle larvae found in deadwood, and occasionally consumes spiders, small… Continue reading Okinawa Woodpecker