Hello, everyone! Today in ‘Torimame,’ let’s talk about the beautiful bird that colors Japan’s winter – the Long-tailed Rosefinch. The Long-tailed Rosefinch, true to its name, is a bird with a strikingly bright red body, measuring about 15 cm in length. The male’s winter plumage features a light red head, back, and chest, with the…

Hello, everyone. Today, let’s talk about the ‘Pale Thrush,’ a bird that quietly visits the calm winter forests. The Pale Thrush is a bird slightly smaller than the Brown-eared Bulbul, measuring about 25 cm in length. True to its name, it features a white belly, while the rest of its body is a grayish-brown. Its…

Hello, everyone! Today on “Torimame,” let’s talk about the intriguing phenomenon in wild birds known as “Eclipse.” This unfamiliar word might pique your curiosity – what does it refer to? “Eclipse” in English means “to lose power” or “to cover up.” It’s a term also used during solar or lunar eclipses. Interestingly, it’s related to…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the beautiful bird that seems like a blue jewel dancing in the sky, the Red-flanked Bluetail. As the name suggests, this small bird, with a total length of 14 cm, has beautiful lapis lazuli-colored feathers. Many people are captivated by their charm, aren’t they? The male Red-flanked Bluetail is…

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…

※ In Japanese, “Oshidori(= Mandarin duck) fufu(=couple)” refers to a happily married couple. Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the Mandarin duck, a colorful bird that lives in the lakes and marshes of Japan. Despite their beautiful appearance, they have a surprising side! Mandarin ducks are about 45 cm in length. They breed in tree…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about a somewhat unusual bird, known as the Red-capped Lark. This little bird is like a tiny adventurer. Though it appears rather plain, it’s a rare and special member of the lark family. With a total length of about 14 cm, it’s slightly smaller than a sparrow. Its back and…

Hello, dear readers! Today, let’s talk about the Northern Goshawk, a majestic bird gracefully soaring through Japan’s skies. The Northern Goshawk, a medium-sized bird belonging to the hawk family, is characterized by its grey feathers with a bluish tinge. In Japan, this bird has traditionally been what most people think of when they hear the…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s introduce a bird that quietly accompanies our daily lives – the Brown-Eared Bulbul. The Brown-Eared Bulbul belongs to the bulbul family in the order Passeriformes and inhabits a wide range of areas, from forests to urban environments. This small bird is about 28 cm in length and can stretch its wings…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the “Willow Tit.” This bird, slightly smaller than a sparrow, inhabits the mountainous regions of Japan. Learning about its adorable appearance and ecology will surely make you find it even more charming. The Willow Tit is petite, measuring about 12.5 cm in length, and its distinctive black “beret-like” head…