Bird Species in Focus

Dusky Thrush – The Speckled Winter Guest With its characteristic speckled plumage and rust-colored wing patches, the dusky thrush (Turdus eunomus) is a striking winter visitor to Japan,…

Black-necked Grebe – A Jewel of the Winter Waters The Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) is a striking winter visitor to Japan. With its ruby-red eyes and golden head…

Meadow Bunting – A Clear Voice Across Open Land The Meadow Bunting (Emberiza cioides) is a typical songbird of Japan’s open landscapes – musically gifted, unassuming in behavior,…

Bull-headed Shrike – A Songbird with a Predator’s Instinct The Bull-headed Shrike (Lanius bucephalus) is a small but formidable predator among Japan’s birds. Known for its dark facial…

Falcated Duck – A Graceful Winter Guest with Silken Feathers The Falcated Duck (Mareca falcata) is a striking winter visitor to Japan. With its shimmering green head and…

Sandhill Crane: Rare Winter Guest from North America The Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) is a rare winter visitor to Japan. With a red forehead and grey plumage, it…

Red-breasted Merganser – Precision Diver of Winter Waters The Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) is a winter visitor to Japan’s lakes and coasts. A specialist fish hunter with a…

White-naped Crane – Winter Guest with a White Scarf The White-naped Crane (Antigone vipio) winters in southern Japan. A graceful migratory bird with a white neck stripe, it…

Brown-headed Thrush – A Seasonal Traveller with a Chestnut Crown The Brown-headed Thrush (Turdus chrysolaus) is a quiet but distinctive migratory bird in Japan. Known for its chestnut…

Far Eastern Curlew: A Rare Visitor with a Remarkable Beak The Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) is a globally threatened migratory bird with an impressively long bill. A…