I Finally Found the Yanbaru Kuina

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Admin11

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.

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

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

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.

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

Amami Woodcock- The Birds of The Ryukyu Islands

Posted on April 29, 2019 by Admin11

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.

Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

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

Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira) © Shawn Miller

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

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

Blue Streaks of Light by Shawn Miller

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Admin11

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

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

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

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

After the feast, the Kingfisher preens itself.

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.

I challenge you to get outdoors for some Nature Therapy.

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

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Admin11

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 Name: Japanese 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

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

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 - Copy

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. 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.

Even the birds had nowhere to hide during Typhoon Trami

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Admin11

I have experienced many typhoons in the last twenty-five years. Typhoon Trami was by far the strongest storm of the year. Its normal to see marine life washed ashore but this was my first time finding shorebirds washed ashore.

The images might be disturbing to some of the viewers but this is how I naturally found the birds on local beaches. A variety of egrets, terns, snipes, pigeons, and herons could not cope with the harsh conditions.

An abundance of marine debris also washed up. A disgusting amount of single-use items like styrofoam, plastic bottle caps, water bottles, lighters, combs, razors, cigarette butts, and floats littered the shoreline.

Our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. What are you doing to make a difference? Have a great day.

When The Red Tractor’s Arrive The Egrets Will Thrive

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Admin11

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

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Admin11

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.

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

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Admin11

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!

The Good, the Bad or the Evil – The Crow’s of Okinawa

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Admin11

The Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are abundant here and can be found all over Okinawa. Populations have increased due to the readily available food, left on the side of the road and in dumpsters. It’s important to keep your trash enclosed in cages to prevent the crows from getting to it.

Scientific name: Corvus macrorhynchos
Local name: Jungle crow
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Farms, cities, forests and grasslands.
Diet: Eats almost everything
Average size: 50cm body length
Color: Black

Jungle crow and plastic

Jungle crow and plastic © Shawn Miller

Jungle crow -Okinawa Japan

Jungle crow in flight © Shawn Miller

The farmers in Onna village put up this deterrent to keep the crows from coming back.

Crow cross -Onna village

Crow cross -Onna village © Shawn Miller

Crows can be vicious predators. They often harass other birds, showing off their strength.

8184876914_336381e8d3_b

Aggressive behavior © Shawn Miller

These intelligent birds work as a team to get what they want. I have personally seen them raid baby birds from the nest. I have seen them fly away with juvenile woodpeckers, rails and swallows.

Crow taking the okinawa woodpecker from the nest

Crow taking the Okinawa woodpecker from the nest © Shawn Miller

The mother duck worked hard to protect her young from this vicious predator.

Spot-billed duck and ducklings

To control the population of jungle crows in northern Okinawa, they use large traps to catch them in. One way in and no way out!

Crow trap - Northern Okinawa

Crow trap – Northern Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Possibly a strange growth that occurred from an injury (broken beak). Could this be one of the few crows that made a successful escape from a trap?

A crow with a hook beak

A crow with an extended hook beak © Shawn Miller

As much as we dislike the crow, they do have a purpose in the ecosystem. They clean the dead animals (road kill) off the road, keeping our environment clean from rotting carcasses. I often see them feeding on cats, snakes, lizards, birds, and rats dead in the road.

Mongoose -roadkill

Mongoose -roadkill © Shawn Miller

Crow feeding on a cat

Crow feeding on a cat by Shawn Miller © Shawn Miller

23458627159_220680d894_b

Crows eating roadkill -Okinawa © Shawn Miller

On several occasions, I have observed crows eating dead animals on beaches and river banks. Met EEL-Zilla, a huge freshwater eel that washed up at Nagahama dam.

They also feed on the large green caterpillars that destroy the farmer’s taro (Taanmu) crops in Kin village

Crows of Okinawa

Crows of Okinawa -© Shawn Miller

Mutualism of Commensalism?

I believe this is Mutualism. Both animals possibly benefit from each other. The crow cleans the parasites on the boar’s skin and also acts as a warning system when threats are in the area. The wild boar uproots the ground, which gives access to insects, grubs, and worms for the crow. This was my first time observing this behavior in the wild.

Jungle crow and the Boar

Jungle crow and the Boar – © Shawn Miller

As soon as the boar spotted me it fled the scene. The crow attempted to stay mounted but could not keep up with the boar.

Jungle crow and the Wild Boar

Jungle crow and the Wild Boar © Shawn Miller

Get-Familiarized with the Nature of Okinawa! – – – SUBSCRIBE BELOW

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 Ryukyu Robin, Endemic birds of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Admin11

The Ryukyu Robin (Larvivora komadori namiyei) is a subspecies endemic to northern Okinawa. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN red list of threatened species. Its main threats are habitat loss and the introduction of invasive species.

Scientific name: Larvivora komadori namiyei (Stejneger, 1887)
Distribution: Northern Okinawa
Habitat: Dense leaf littered forests
Diet: Earthworms, spiders, insects and fruit
Average Size: 140mm

The Ryukyu robin in its natural habitat. The male has the distinctive black throat and face.

Male Ryukyu Robin

Male Ryukyu Robin, Yanbaru forest © Shawn Miller

The female Ryukyu robin perching on a guide rope at Hiji falls, Okinawa.

Female Ryukyu robin

Female Ryukyu robin (Larvivora komadori) © Shawn Miller

A male Ryukyu robin searching for insects on the ground.

Male Ryukyu robin

Male Ryukyu robin © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu robin

Ryukyu robin © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Robin -Yanbaru forest

Ryukyu Robin -Yanbaru forest © Shawn Miller

Time for a nap on a fern tree.

Ryukyu robin resting

Ryukyu robin resting © Shawn Miller

Luscinia komadori komadori is a subspecies found on Amami Island. The flank is white and black.

Luscinia komadori komadori, Amami Island

Luscinia komadori komadori, Amami Island © Shawn Miller

These small birds are often seen early in the morning feeding on insects on the road. Watch your speed and pay particular attention between dusk and dawn.

Watch your speed!

Watch your speed! © Shawn Miller

A male Ryukyu robin that was killed by a speeding motor vehicle on Route 2 in northern Okinawa.

Roadkill Larvivora komadori

Okinawa Roadkill – January 17th, 2016 © Shawn Miller

Let’s protect the beautiful wildlife of Okinawa, Japan.

Have a great day!

error: Content is protected !!