Tag Archives: Amami Oshima and Toku-no-shima

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

Searching for the Amami Rabbit by Shawn Miller

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The Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) is an endangered species found on Amami and Tokuno Island. This rare species is a living national treasure of Japan and is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN red list of threatened species.  It’s biggest threats are deforestation, feral cats, dogs and the introduced mongoose.

  • Scientific Name: Pentalagus furnessi
  • Common Name: Amami or Ryukyu Rabbit
  • Japanese name: Amamino kuro usagi
  • Distribution: Amami and Tokuno Island
  • Habitat: Dense mountain forest
  • Diet: Plants, shrubs, bark, and acorns
  • Average size: 45cm
  • Threats: Deforestation and the mongoose

Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) © Shawn Miller

We initially had some trouble finding the Amami Rabbit. We knew we were close once we started finding fresh rabbit droppings and a black insect that resembled a dung beetle.

Fresh Ryukyu rabbit pellets

Fresh Ryukyu rabbit pellets © Shawn Miller

Dung beetle

Possible Dung beetle © Shawn Miller

We were fortunate to see over thirty rabbits during our night drive.  We even found a photogenic juvenile feeding on leaves. The cute baby rabbits are referred to as kittens or kits.

Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi)

Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) © Shawn Miller

It is illegal to capture or trap this small-eared Island rabbit. Both Islands are doing a great job protecting this threatened species and the forest it lives in.

Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) © 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 )

All the photographs of the Amami rabbit were taken from the car through the back seat window.  In the beginning, I had difficulty with the cameras autofocus system.  The rabbits were far away and left the scene after three- ten seconds. I adapted by mounting a Light&Motion GoBe light with a 500 search head to my tripod collar. This allowed the autofocus 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.

Light&Motion GoBe    https://www.lightandmotion.com/choose-your-light/gobe

 Let’s work together to protect the beauty of the Ryukyu Islands. Have a great day!