Hello, everyone! Today, I’m excited to share some fun facts about the Okinawa rail, a treasure of Okinawa’s nature. This bird, with its unique appearance, has a fascinating ecology!
The most distinctive feature of the Okinawa rail is its unique look. With a total length of 35 cm, it has a striking pattern of black and white stripes from its chest to belly, and its bright red beak and legs are its charm points! It resembles a tropical fruit in the jungle. Skilled at searching for small animals in the soil, it has a strong and large beak, perfect for easily breaking hard shells like those of snails.
Discovered as a new species in 1981, the Okinawa rail is adapted to terrestrial life due to its limited flying ability. Interestingly, it climbs trees at night to rest in safety. As evening falls, it makes a “kyokyokyokyo” sound, exchanging information with its peers. Conversations in the forest seem quite romantic, don’t they?
Unfortunately, the Okinawa rail is a species at risk of extinction, largely due to environmental changes and invasive species. The Yanbaru forests are crucial habitats for many endemic species, including the Okinawa rail. Protecting these beautiful forests and their inhabitants is vital for us too.
This small bird has become a significant symbol for preserving Okinawa’s rich natural environment. Protecting the Okinawa rail contributes to preserving Okinawa’s beautiful nature for the future. Let’s continue to learn together! Until next time!
You can donate through the Hometown Tax program! / ECO Favorite Project – Towels for Protecting Local Nature(Japanese language website only).
