Broadbill -Birdwatcher's site

Southern Japan

Emerald Dove male, Ishigaki Island © Koji TAGI

Okinawa is ornithologically a very interesting island chainlocated between Kyushu and Taiwan. There are two notable endemics, namely Okinawa Rail and Pryer's Woodpecker which are famous among birders. However, there are also more other interesting species, such as local endemic Ryukyu Robin and Formosan Green Pigeon (photo right) while ther are many endemic subspecies. For example, Japanese Wood Pigeon, Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher and Ashy Minivet (photo left) have distinctively different subspecies from the main land one.

They even have slightly different habitat. A subspecies of Ashy Minivet is called "Ryukyu Minivet". It occurs even in the mangrove forest, though Ashy Minivet in mainland is normally seen in lowland deciduous forest.

During the migration, while the island chain is close to the Eurasian Continent, many interesting birds occur. Oriental Plover (photo), Pintail Snipe, Pied Harrier, Blackbird and Silky Starling are occationally seen. Among the islands in the southest prefecture, Yonaguni island is a very good place to see the migrants because of the location (only 120km from Taiwan).

For your trip to Japan, I recommend you for spending a week or more in some of Ryukyu islands in Okinawa. It will be doubtlessly impressive and worthwhile to do.

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