Hello, everyone! The bird with the charming yellow beak is a wild bird that quietly resides in the forested areas of Japan. What is the origin of its name? Also, what kind of relationship does this bird have with Nara Prefecture? The Japanese Grosbeak, measuring about 23cm in size and known for its robust build,…

Hello! Today, let’s talk about the Daurian Redstart, a small bird that is perfect for the winter season. The Daurian Redstart is a small migratory bird belonging to the thrush family, known as a “winter bird” for visiting Japan in the colder months. It is slightly smaller than a sparrow, measuring about 15cm in length….

Hello everyone! Today, let’s explore the world of a small seabird, the Japanese Murrelet. The Japanese Murrelet, about the size of a Starling (approximately 24cm in length), has an appearance reminiscent of a penguin. Its chubby, adorable physique and relatively short wings are distinctive. These birds feature a striking contrast with black crown feathers and…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the differences between two small, adorable birds: the Long-tailed Tit and Hokkaido’s Long-tailed Tit. The simple way to distinguish them is by their “facial patterns” and “habitats”! The Long-tailed Tit is a small bird found throughout Japan, from Kyushu northwards, measuring about 13.5 cm in total length. Almost half…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the small bird, the “Tit”. In Japan, we often see these birds in gardens and parks, but did you know that the same species exists in Europe as well? However, there’s a slight difference. Firstly, the European tits have vivid yellow bellies. This is because the subspecies found in…

Hello, everyone! I was once asked by a friend, “We don’t see swallows in winter, but where are they?” Today, I’d like to talk about a bird close to our hearts, the “Swallow”. Swallows are about 17 cm in length, and both males and females are of the same color, though males have longer tails….

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about a bird with a unique habit, the “Shrike.” Shrikes, belonging to the Laniidae family in the Passeriformes order, are small birds but have some really interesting characteristics contrary to their appearance. Despite their small size of about 20cm, shrikes are carnivorous, primarily feeding on insects. They also prey on…

Hello, everyone! Today, I want to introduce you to the amazing drama of nature that unfolds above our heads: the story of migratory birds. Are you familiar with migratory birds? These birds, like genius navigators, continue to fly thousands of kilometers each year. They raise their young in the northern lands, and spend the winter…

Hello, everyone! Today, a friend asked me if it’s okay for pigeons to eat sand. Let me share a little trivia about pigeons with you. You might be surprised to know that pigeons eat stones and sand. But why do they do this? The answer lies in the ‘gizzard.’ Since pigeons don’t have teeth, they…

Hello, everyone! Have you ever spotted a small, fast-moving bird chirping “chit-chit” in urban parking lots or in front of convenience stores? Yes, that’s the White Wagtail. Today, I’d like to shine the spotlight on this adorable bird with its somewhat unusual way of walking. Roughly the same size as a sparrow, its long tail…

In the harsh cold of winter, one might think that nature around us quietens down a bit. However, in reality, small birds are actively bustling about. This time, let’s talk about the phenomenon commonly seen in winter forests known as “mixed flocks of tits.” A “mixed flock of tits” refers to a group made up…

Hello, everyone! Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to a charmingly tiny woodpecker that you can find in the nature around us, the “Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker.” With the size of a sparrow and a modest presence, this bird is just 15 centimeters in length and weighs only 18 to 26 grams. it is the smallest…