I Finally Found the Yanbaru Kuina

When I tell people I am a nature photographer, they often ask me if I have ever seen a Yanbaru kuina. Friends are always so excited to tell me that they found a Yanbaru kuina in central Okinawa. I feel bad telling them the bad news. More than likely, they found a common moorhen. The common moorhen is often mistaken for the Yanbaru kuina.

0K2A1431

The Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) has a bright red head shield, yellow legs with distinctive white feathers underneath. The Common moorhen is found near marshes, local parks and small rivers. This bird is very common in Okinawa

  • Scientific name:  Gallinula chloropus
  • Common Name: Common moorhen
  • Distribution:  Okinawan wide
  • Habitat: City parks, rivers and creeks 
  • Diet: Vegetation and small aquatic animals 
  • Average Size:   30 to 37 cm

7484804162_c025630976_c

IMG_6495

The Difference:  The Yanbaru kuina ( Okinawa rail ) has an orange beak with bright orange legs. The underneath is black with white bars.

8888845806_9e1ac7735e_c

The Yanbaru kuina is a flightless bird found in northern Okinawa. It is a protected species and declared a living natural treasure. It is currently listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species.  In 2012 populations of this endemic bird were estimated at 1500 by the Environment Ministry.  As of October 2016 populations have declined to 480 mature individuals according to IUCN assessment.

  • Scientific name:  Hypotaenidia okinawae
  • Common Name: Okinawa Rail
  • Japanese Name: Yanbaru kuina 
  • Distribution:  Northern Okinawa
  • Habitat: Forests
  • Diet:  Small insects, worms, snails and fruit. 
  • Average Size:  31cm 
  • Threats: Habitat loss, and the threat of mongoose and feral cats.

0K2A0281

 My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link 

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

 

Blue Streaks of Light by Shawn Miller

The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is one of the most beautiful birds of the Ryukyu Islands. They are a common species found near freshwater sources. I have observed these tiny birds four hours at a time. I know a few local nature photographers that have dedicated their lives to documenting the behavior of this beautiful bird.

  • Scientific name: Alcedo atthis
  • Common Name: Common Kingfisher
  • Distribution:  Worldwide
  • Habitat: Forests near rivers and ponds
  • Diet:  Fish and prawn
  • Average Size:  16cm

IMG_8962The Common Kingfisher spends most of the day patiently waiting on tree branches above the water.

IMG_6511They watch from above and pick out the perfect sized fish.

IMG_0809

They dive bomb with very little warning. Below is the sequence of the catch.

IMG_2565

IMG_0921

IMG_8650

IMG_8652After the feast, the Kingfisher preens itself.
IMG_9596

Look close and you can see the process of the Kingfisher casting a pellet. They can’t digest the exoskeleton of prawn and fish scales. They regurgitate the waste in a pellet form.

IMG_2173

IMG_2175

IMG_2176I challenge you to get outdoors for some Nature Therapy.
IMG_9880

People often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography? Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment. 

If you would like to use any of my photographs, please contact me directly. Have a great day!

The Protector of Zakimi Castle Ruins

The Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) is another fascinating predatory bird found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are an uncommon species found on Okinawa. I have observed these pigeon-sized predatory birds feeding on insects and small birds.
    • Scientific name Accipiter gularis
    • Common NameJapanese sparrowhawk
    • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands
    • Habitat: Forests, parks, and farm fields. 
    • Diet:  Small birds and a variety of insects
    • Average Size:  27cm 
  • Threats: Deforestation and Jungle crows
They are found perching high on the Ryukyu pine trees (Pinus luchuensis). IMG_2474 (1) The females have yellow eyes and the males have bright red beautiful eyes. 0K2A4097 IMG_6604 They are impressive ambush hunters and surprise their prey in mid-flight. IMG_0544 (2)They pluck the feathers off their catch before bringing it back to the nest IMG_0476 They stay busy feeding their chicks in mid-summer. When songbirds are scarce they feed on cicada and other large insects. IMG_6534 - Copy The chicks have darker banding bars on their chest. When its time they will leave the nest in search of their own hunting ground. IMG_0581 - CopyPeople often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography? Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment.  My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support.  Shawn M Miller.

When The Red Tractor’s Arrive The Egrets Will Thrive

 

 Red Tractors of Okinawa

Reflections of Okinawa © Shawn Miller

On Okinawa, we have six species of Egrets (Great, Intermediate, Cattle, Little, Chinese, and Pacific Reef Egret).  Egrets spend most of the day foraging on food in the grasslands. They are opportunistic hunters and have learned a new behavior. They follow a tractor as it plows the field and food rewards are given in large amounts. The tractor plow exposes insects, worms, snakes, eels, mice, and frogs.  The payoff is great, a large amount of food in a short period of time.

Plowing the field

Plowing the field © Shawn Miller

20130304-DSC_4928

Farming on Okinawa © Shawn Miller

These specialized birds are beneficial for local farming fields. Egrets also feed on grasshoppers and caterpillars that can devastate farmers crops in a matter of days. 

20130304-DSC_4958

Egrets feeding © Shawn Miller

One of the egret’s favorite food is the Japanese marsh frog. The last wave goodbye.

8539217520_9b6d609e9d_b

Goodbye © Shawn Miller

20130224-DSC_2524

All you can eat buffet © Shawn Miller

20130301-DSC_4007

Frog legs © Shawn Miller

Egrets can also be found huntings in wetlands and the shorelines on Okinawa. Here they spend many hours patiently hunting with small rewards of food.

11247351105_fc252ea6ca_b

Wings spread © Shawn Miller

11415108715_354a1ab7d6_b

Striking a pose © Shawn Miller

I have observed these birds hunting for hours on many occasions and the majority of the time they miss their prey in the wetlands.

11361098826_91d352a56a_b

The miss © Shawn Miller

40868140611_632844909b_b(1)

Nature and waste © Shawn Miller

The sad truth is our waste is a serious problem for all animals worldwide.

20130525-DSC_2020

That’s not food © Shawn Miller

Let’s work together to make a difference.

The motion of flight © Shawn Miller

Birds in motion © Shawn Miller

 My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

The Blue Rock Thrush – Birds of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

The Blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) is one of the most fascinating and abundant birds of The Ryukyu Islands. They are a common species found in urban areas. I have observed these birds eating food from peoples hands.

  • Scientific name (Monticola solitarius)
  • Common Name: Blue Rock Thrush
  • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat: Forests, Parks, and local neighbors  
  • Diet:  Butterflies, moths, spiders, caterpillars,  and fruit
  • Average Size:  25cm 

The female is all brown with a striped pattern. The male is dark blue with an orange breast and belly.

Female Rock thrush

Female rock thrush © Shawn Miller

Male Rock Thrush

Male Rock Thrush © Shawn Miller

Breeding season occurs April through July.  When the Hatchling emerge the parents are on high alert and become noisy and aggressive defending their young.

Blue rock thrush protective mode

Moma on Duty © Shawn Miller

 

Daddy on duty

Daddy on duty © Shawn Miller

This young hatchling left the nest prematurely. It survived four full days roaming the neighborhood wisely on the ground.

Hatchling searching for shelter

Hatchling searching for shelter © Shawn Miller

Somewhere on its journey, it picked up some fishing line.

Hatchling and fishing line

Hatchling and fishing line © Shawn Miller

These birds are curious and intelligent birds.  A wide-angle macro perspective of the male blue rock thrush with its wings spread.

Blue rock-thrush with wings spread

Blue rock-thrush with wings spread © Shawn Miller

Look close and you can see the nicitating membrane, its used to protect and moisten the eye.

IMG_6489

Blue rock-thrush drying off © Shawn Miller

We pulled up to a fight scene.  A rock thrush and a praying mantis fighting in the middle of the road. The rock-thrush flew away and the praying mantis stood its ground. Photographed using my iPhone.

Fighting pose - Preying mantis, IPhone 6s

Fighting pose © Shawn Miller

Know your Nature with Shawn Miller.

 

Owls of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Okinawa has three resident species of Owls. They generally live in trees in mountain forests,  forest parks and sometimes in residential areas.  All three owls are fairly small (20-33cm). They are hard to find in the day, but as night falls their large shiny eyes give them away. These beautiful night dwellers feed on small lizards, rodents, frogs and insects.

The Collard Scops-owl (Otus lempiji) has beautiful red eyes and short pointy ears. It can be challenging to photograph owls. You have to be fast acting with your camera, the owls will fly off quickly after a few photographs.

This is an example of undesirable red eye reflected (Red-eye) below.  You generally want to try to avoid this but, I only had had a few shots with the flash on the camera, pointing straight at the owl high in a tree.

Collard Scops-owl - Okuma resort

Collard Scops-owl – Okuma resort

Collard Scops-owl - Yanbaru forest

Collard Scops-owl – Yanbaru forest

Collard Scops-owl - Yanbaru fores

Collard Scops-owl – Yanbaru fores

The Brown hawk owl (Ninox scutulata) is the most abundant of the three small owls. It has beautiful bright yellow eyes. This owl looks more like a hawk than an owl.

Brown hawk owl (Ninox scutulata)

Brown hawk owl (Ninox scutulata)

Brown hawk owl - Izena Island

Brown hawk owl – Izena Island

The Ryukyu scops owl (Otus elegans) is mainly found in the northern part of Okinawa. The Yanbaru forest is a designated wildlife protection area.

Ryukyu Scops Owl -Yanbaru

Ryukyu Scops Owl -Yanbaru

Ryukyu scops owl Amami Island

Ryukyu scops owl Amami Island

The owls are often found hunting on forest roads. The insects are attracted to the roadside lights which bring in the owls. The bush cricket (Mecopoda elongata) is one of their favourite meals.

Bush cricket (Mecopoda elongata)

Bush cricket (Mecopoda elongata)

I  wonder if the owls can see fluorescence. Many of the stick bugs, grasshoppers and crickets fluoresce under blue light,

Katydid under blue light

Katydid under blue light

Sadly I have seen more dead owls than alive!

Hawk owl - Ogimi village

Hawk owl – Ogimi village

Let’s protect the wildlife of the Yanbaru forest. Have a great day!