Tag Archives: yanbaru kuina

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

 

Slow Down! – Let’s Protect The Okinawa Rail

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The Okinawa rail 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

Distribution:  Northern Okinawa

Habitat: Forests

Diet:  Small insects, worms, snails and fruit. 

Average Size:  31cm 

Threats: Habitat loss and the threat of Jungle crows and mongoose.

okinawa rail

The Okinawan rail © Shawn Miller

The rail is often found feeding on the side of the road. It feeds on worms, snails, and insects.

Okinawa rail posing ( Hypotaenidia okinawae)

Okinawa rail posing ( Hypotaenidia okinawae) © Shawn Miller

When defending its territory, the rail will become aggressive and flare its wings.

Angry Bird- Okinawa rail

Angry Bird- Okinawa rail © Shawn Miller

If you are lucky you can catch the Okinawa rail feeding on the fruit of the cherry tree.

Okinawa rail feeding ( Hypotaenidia okinawae)

Okinawa rail feeding ( Hypotaenidia okinawae) © Shawn Miller

They roost high above the ground to avoid predators like the habu snake.

Okinawa rail roosting ( Hypotaenidia okinawae)

Okinawa rail roosting ( Hypotaenidia okinawae) © Shawn Miller

In 2014 I stumbled upon Scientists handling an adult Okinawa rail in the wild.

flightless birds of Japan

Okinawa rail © Shawn Miller

Awareness signs are posted along the main roads in northern Okinawa for their protection. I think they should also include speed bumps in the designated crossing areas for the rails.

Okinawa rail awareness signs are posted

Okinawa rail awareness signs © Shawn Miller

The speed limit is only 40km/h so watch your speed for the protection of the wildlife. The rails are often seen feeding on the side of the road.

40km/h speed sign

Posted speed limit is 40km/h © Shawn Miller

I have observed these birds crossing the road on many occasions. They have no problems crossing when people are driving the speed limit. Speeding decreases your reaction time,  slow down and pay attention to all crossing wildlife.

Okinawa rail crossing the road

Okinawa rail crossing the road© Shawn Miller

An Okinawa rail that was killed by a speeding motor vehicle on Route 2 in northern Okinawa.

okinawa rail - road kill

Okinawa rail – road kill © Shawn Miller

What to do if you find an injured rail.

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 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 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.