Tag Archives: Okinawa Nature Conservancy

I Finally Found the Yanbaru Kuina

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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.

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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

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

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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.

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 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

 

Designated Flora and Fauna of Okinawa Prefecture

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Okinawa is a subtropical paradise with warm weather and beautiful beaches. The Island has some of the best scuba diving in the world. Okinawa is rich in natural scenery. We have a variety of endemic species only found here.

 Designated Flora and Fauna of Okinawa Prefectural

(1) The Double-lined fusilier (Pterocaesio digramma) was designated as Okinawa’s prefectural fish in 1972. The Gurukun (local name) is the most popular fish served in local restaurants. The small fish has two distinctive bright yellow lines running along the body.  Found in large schools over coral reefs.

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Double-lines fusilier – Nightdive

They can change color and pattern to avoid detection on the reef.

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Banafish (Pterocaesio digramma)

 (2)  The Deigo flower (Indian coral bean) was designated as Okinawa’s prefectural flower in 1972. The elegant flowers bloom in March, April and May. The sweet smell attracts a variety of insects, fruit bats, and birds during the season.

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Deigo tree

The sweet smell attracts a variety of insects, fruit bats, and birds during the season.

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Deigo flower (Indian coral bean)

(3) The Okinawan woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii) was designated as Okinawa’s prefectural bird in 1972. This beautiful woodpecker is a living natural treasure of Japan.  Populations of the critically endangered species are declining rapidly.

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Okinawan woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii)

A few photographs of the Okinawa woodpecker (prefectural bird) feeding on the Deigo flower (prefectural flower).

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Okinawan woodpecker and Deigo flower

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Okinawan woodpecker and Deigo flower

The Okinawan woodpecker was featered in National Geographic for the series Wildlife as canon sees it (May 2015)

Okinawa Woodpecker by Shawn Miller 

(4)  The Ryukyu pine tree (Pinus Luchuensis Mayr) was designated as Okinawa’s prefectural tree in 1972.

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Zakimi pine forest

Nento Hiramatsu is the oldest pine tree located on Iheya Island. This beautiful pine tree is listed as a living natural treasure of Japan.

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Nento Hiramatsu, Iheya Island

The beautiful Ryukyu Pine forest at Zakimi Castle.

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Ryukyu Pine trees – Zakimi

The Okinawa woodpecker (prefectural bird) searching for insects on The Ryukyu pine tree (prefectural tree). The Okinawa woodpecker is native to the Yanbaru forest in northern Okinawa.

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Okinawa woodpecker and Ryukyu Pine

I love the natural shapes of the Ryukyu Pine trees. (Natures fine art)

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Ryukyu Pine on Ie Island

My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations

 

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