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…

Hello! Today, I’d like to talk about the Great Tit, a small bird that lives close to us. This little bird is actually very intelligent, and their world is full of surprising facts! Despite their small size of about 14-15 cm, Great Tits have a remarkable presence! Their trademark is a black necktie, and the…

Hello, everyone! Today, I’d like to talk about our wonderful feathered friends, affectionately known as ‘Shorebirds and Plovers.’ These small waterbirds that decorate our mudflats and water edges give us many surprises with their life and migration patterns. Globally, shorebirds and plovers are truly ingenious travelers. Some species fly over 10,000 kilometers one-way, from Alaska…

Hello there! We often see crows at the usual street corners, but did you know that there are actually two different types of crows among them? Today, I’d like to talk about the differences and charms of the Jungle Crow and the Carrion Crow. First, let’s look at their habitats. The Jungle Crow prefers wooded…

Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the starling, a bird that blends into our daily lives, yet there’s so much we don’t know about it. The starlings we often see in the city form massive flocks in the evening that fill the sky with darkness, a truly impressive sight. Those birds lined up on the…

Hello everyone! Today, let’s talk about the Varied Tit, a bird as small as a sparrow that captivates many with its intelligence and charm. The Varied Tit is about 14 centimeters in total length, yet it boasts a two-toned color on its head with white (or yellow) and black, and charming white spots on both…

Hello, everyone! Today, on “Torimame,” we’re excited to introduce you to a highly unique and beautiful bird, the Crested Kingfisher. True to its name, this bird resides in mountain streams, lakes, and ponds, and is renowned for its dynamic hunting techniques. First off, its appearance is quite unique! With its long, messy crest feathers resembling…

Are you familiar with the kingfisher, a bird that captures our attention with its vivid aqua blue plumage? Classified under the order Coraciiformes and the family Alcedinidae, the kingfisher is about the size of a sparrow, with a body length of approximately 17cm. Often referred to as the “jewel of the waterside” due to its…

Sparrows are a familiar presence and a bird we often encounter. Their small bodies and round shapes are truly adorable! They are approximately 15 cm in length and weigh between 18 to 30 grams. You can spot them almost anywhere in Japan, although it is said that they are not found in the Ogasawara Islands….