Category Archives: Animals of Amami and Tokuno island

Amami Woodcock- The Birds of The Ryukyu Islands

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The Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) is considered a prefectural bird of Amami Island. They are a rare species mainly found on Amami and Tokuno islands. These ground dwelling birds are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list of threatened species.

  • Scientific name:  Scolopax mira
  • Distribution:  Amami, Tokuno and Northern Okinawa
  • Habitat: leaf littered forests
  • Diet:  Beetles, crickets, moths, spiders, and worms
  • Average Size:  34cm – 36mm
  • Threats: Habitat loss and the introduced mongoose.
© Shawn Miller

Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

The Amami woodcock is a master of camouflage. It crouches down low and limits its movements in the leaf litter.  When predators approach the woodcock will fly away in most cases.

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Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

In this case the female has chicks that she has to protect.

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Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

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Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

We managed to see one sub-adult, it quickly followed its mothers lead and fled the scene.

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Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

The mongoose is the biggest threat to the wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands. It was introduced to the Ryukyu Islands in the1900’s In order to reduce the venomous habu populations. All the islands are still battling this never ending problem.

Mongoose ( Hepestes javanicus )

Mongoose ( Hepestes javanicus ) © Shawn Miller

All the photographs of the Amami woodcock were taken from the car through the back seat window.  In the beginning, I had difficulty with the cameras auto-focus system. I adapted by mounting a Light&Motion GoBe light with a 500 search head to my tripod collar. This allowed the auto-focus system to be extremely responsive using the Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM.

Amami rabbit camera setup

Amami night adventures  setup  © Shawn Miller

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.

Learn more about the Light&Motion GoBe Exploration light   https://www.lightandmotion.com/choose-your-light/gobe 

  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 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.

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Anderson’s Crocodile Newt- Endangered species

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Anderson’s crocodile newt is an endangered species found throughout the Ryukyu islands. It is designated as a living natural monument in Okinawa and is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN red list of threatened species. This amphibian is decreasing in numbers due to poaching and deforestation. The newt is highly valued in the illegal pet trade market. This is my favorite amphibian to photograph on my night adventures in Okinawa.

      • Scientific name: Echinotriton andersoni

     

      • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands

     

      • Habitat:  Forests and wetlands

     

      • Diet:  Worms and snails

     

    • Average Size:  120mm -160mm
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The Anderson’s crocodile newt was featured in National geographic in November 2020

Miller featured 11-2021

Shawn Miller featured 11-2021

Photographed under the ambient light on Amami Island.

Anderson's crocodile newt

Anderson’s crocodile newt

Anderson's crocodile newt

Anderson’s crocodile newt

The first Anderson’s newt I have seen with one webbed hind foot.

Webbed hind feet

Webbed hind feet

I was lucky to capture the Anderson’s crocodile newt cleaning its eyes. This was the first time documenting this behavior. 

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Anderson’s crocodile newt

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Newt with closed eye

Sometime they pick up hitchhikers, check out this blood sucking leech!

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Blood sucking leech

It’s rare to find animals eating in nature. I found this Anderson’s crocodile newt feeding on an earthworm in Northern Okinawa.

Feeding ,Yanbaru forest

Feeding, Yanbaru forest

Late in the evening the newts meet up and search for a mate.

Finding a mate

Finding a mate, Onna Village

The aquatic stage of the newt has external gills. It slowly prepares itself for the transition into the terrestrial juvenile stage. They can be found in mud puddles in the months of May and June.

Aquatic stage

Aquatic stage -external gills

Watch your speed and pay close attention to crossing wildlife. Roadkill is a huge problem on Okinawa. 

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Dinosaurs of Okinawa

Watch out for crossing newts

Watch out for crossing newts

All the roads in northern Okinawa have specialized wildlife steps for the animals that get trapped in the drainage ditch. These steps allow the newts and other animals to crawl out safely.

Wildlife steps

Wildlife steps

 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 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.