Hello, everyone! Are you familiar with the black and white bird that heralds the arrival of winter, the Smew, also affectionately known as the “Panda Duck”? This bird, with its adorable appearance, captivates many people. In Japan, the Smew is cherished as a “winter bird”, frequently seen during this season. The nickname “Panda Duck” comes…

Hello, everyone! Today, I’d like to talk about a familiar blue bird in North America, the Blue Jay. The Blue Jay is a bird slightly smaller than a pigeon, measuring about 22 to 30 cm in length. Both males and females share the same coloration, but males are slightly larger. Their feathers are known for…

Hello, everyone! As the chill of winter sets in, a small guest arrives to grace our presence. It’s the Eurasian Siskin, a little smaller than a sparrow and decked in lemon yellow. This tiny bird measures about 12 cm in length. The males, in particular, boast a vivid lemon yellow plumage, resembling little suns. The…

Hello, readers! Today, let’s talk about a rather unique bird, the Short-eared Owl. The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl, slightly larger than a pigeon, measuring about 38 to 40 cm in length. It has a distinctive appearance with a pale face, light brown belly, and brown vertical stripes. These stripes act as excellent camouflage,…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the “Eurasian Bullfinch,” a bird familiar to many in Japan for its charming appearance and distinctive call. The Eurasian Bullfinch is a slightly larger bird than the sparrow, measuring about 15 cm in length. Its body is primarily grey, with a black head, wings, and tail. The male’s throat…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the adorable Black-headed Gull, a bird that adorns Tokyo’s winter skies and is also famous as a symbol of Tokyo. As its name suggests, the Black-headed Gull has a white body with a soft grey back. Particularly striking are its vivid red beak and legs. This bird is relatively…

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…