PO Box 9021, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
E-mail: font@focusonnature.com
Phone: Toll-free in USA 1-800-721-9986
 or 302/529-1876; Fax: 302/529-1085

Website:  www.focusonnature.com

 

Japan Birds

from Pheasants 
to Pittas

noting those during 
Focus On Nature Tours
with an (*)

1994 thru 2010

(during the months of 
January, February, 
April, May, June, July,
November, & Decemb
er)

Part 1 of a Japan Bird-List compiled by Armas Hill, 
the leader of FONT tours in Japan

Photo at upper right: RED-CROWNED CRANES in Hokkaido, as seen during the FONT Winter Tours
(The RED-CROWNED CRANE also known as the JAPANESE CRANE)  


Link:

Part #2 of this List of Japan Birds: Minivets to Buntings


There have been 21 FONT Fall & Winter birding & nature tours in Japan: FW.

There have been 13 FONT Spring & Summer birding & nature tours in Japan: SP.


During our 34 FONT tours in Japan, 392 species of birds have cumulatively been found. 

In the following list, Japanese bird names follow English names.



Codes:

(i): introduced species

(t): a globally threatened or rare species, designated by Birdlife International.
(t1): critical
(t2): endangered
(t3): vulnerable
(nt): considered a near-threatened species globally

(JAr):       rare in Japan
(JArs):     rare in Japan in spring/summer
(JArw):    rare in Japan in winter

(JAe):      Japanese endemic
(JAeb):    Japanese endemic breeder
(JAneb):  Japanese near-endemic breeder

FW: Seen during FONT Fall & Winter Japanese birding tours.
SP: Seen during FONT Spring & Summer Japanese birding tours.

In the list that follows, relating to sightings during FONT tours, the Japanese island & the months are noted.
HN:    on Honshu
HI:     on Hegura Island (Hegura-jima) in the Sea of Japan off Honshu.
(Hegura Island visited during our Spring tours) 
HK:    on Hokkaido
KY:    on Kyushu
AM:   on Amami 
OK:    on Okinawa

NS
:    in the southern Japanese islands of Nansei Shoto (other than Amami & Okinawa). 


(ph):  species with a photo in this FONT web-site 



Links:

Upcoming Japan Birding & Nature Tours

FONT Past Tour Highlights

Birds during Previous FONT tours in Japan in: 

Honshu  (over 300 species) 

Hegura Island  (with some photos)

the Island of Amami

the island of Okinawa


Rare Birds during our Japan Tours 
(with some photos)

Japanese Mammals  (with some photos)

Japanese Butterflies  (with some photos)

Directory of Photos in this Website, in this list & others


List of Birds during FONT Tours in Japan (Part #1):

  1. Copper Pheasant (nt) (JAe) (*) (ph)  (Yamadori) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr  KY:dec
    Syrmaticus soemmerringii
    Syrmaticus s. subrufus 
    (on Honshu)
    Syrmaticus s. ijimae 
    (on Kyushu)




    Copper Pheasants have been seen during FONT tours in Honshu & Kyushu
     
  2. Green Pheasant (JAe) (*)  (Kiji) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  KY:feb,dec   (has been considered conspecific with the Common Pheasant native to Eurasia, Phasianus colchicus
    Phasianus versicolor
    Phasianus v. tohkaidi
    (on Honshu)
    Phasianus v. tanensis
    (on Kyushu)

  3. Hazel Grouse  ______
    Tetrastes bonasia

  4. Rock Ptarmigan  ______
    Lagopus muta japonica 

  5. Japanese Quail ______
    Coturnix japonica

  6. Chinese Bamboo Partridge (i) (*)  (Kojukei) ______ FW
    Bambusicola t. thoracica


  7. Mute Swan (i) (*) (ph)  (Kobu-hakucho) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,may
    Cygnus olor 
    (monotypic)

  8. Whooper Swan  (*) (ph)  (O-hakucho) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Cygnus cygnus
      (monotypic)




    Whooper Swans photographed in Hokkaido 
    during a FONT Winter Tour in Japan
    (photo by Alan Brady)
      

  9. "Bewick's" Tundra Swan  (*)  (Ko-hakucho) ______ FW  HN:jan  KY:jan   (considered conspecific with "Whistling" Tundra Swan of North America) 
    Cygnus
    columbianus bewickii

  10. Greylag Goose (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Haiiro-gan) ______ SP,FW  HK:dec
    Anser anser rubrirostris

  11. Greater White-fronted Goose  (*)  (Ma-gan) ______ FW   HN:jan  HK:dec
    Anser albifrons frontalis

  12. Taiga Bean Goose  (*)  (Hishikui) ______ FW  HN:jan  KY:jan
    Anser fabalis middendorffii

  13. Snow Goose (JAr) (*)  (Haku-gan) ______ FW
    Anser caerulescens hyperboreus

  14. Swan Goose  (JAr)  ______
    Anser cygnoides

  15. Lesser White-fronted Goose  (JAr)  ______
    Anser erythropus

  16. Emperor Goose  (JAr)  ______
    Anser 
    (formerly Chen) canagicus

  17. "Black" Brant Goose  (*)  (Koku-gan) ______ FW
    Branta bernicla orientalis

  18. Canada Goose  (JAr)  ______
    Branta canadensis

  19. Cackling Goose  (JAr)  ______
    Branta hutchinsii 

  20. Common Shelduck  (*)  (Tsukushi-gamo) ______ FW   KY:jan  NS
    Tadorna tadorna 
    (monotypic)

  21. Ruddy Shelduck  (JAr)  ______
    Tadorna feruginea

  22. Mandarin Duck (nt) (*) (ph)  (Oshidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HK:jun  KY:jan,feb,dec  OK  
    Aix galericulata
       (monotypic)




    A Pair of Mandarin Ducks photographed during a FONT tour in Japan

  23. Cotton Pygmy Goose  (JAr)  ______  (also called Cotton Teal)
    Nettapus coromandelianus

  24. Eurasian Wigeon  (*) (ph)  (incl green-faced form)  (Hidori-gamo) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may,dec  HI:may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,feb,dec  AM:jan,dec  
    Anas penelope 
    (monotypic)




    A Eurasian Wigeon, photographed during FONT's 
    January/February 2009 Tour in Japan
    (photo by Karl Frafjord)


  25. American Wigeon (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Amerika-hidori) ______ FW  HK:dec  KY:feb
    Anas americana
      (monotypic)

  26. Falcated Duck  (nt) (*) (ph)  (Yoshi-gamo) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,may  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Anas falcata 
    (monotypic)




    The Falcated Duck is one of the attractive Asian species of waterfowl
    seen during FONT tours in Japan.

      
  27. Baikal Teal (t3) (*) (ph)  (Tomoe-gamo) ______ FW  HN:jan
    Anas formosa 
    (monotypic)




    The now-rare Baikal Teal has been seen during FONT Winter Tours
    in Honshu & Kyushu


  28. Eurasian Teal  (*)   (Ko-gamo) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,feb,dec  AM:jan   (was considered conspecific with Green-winged Teal of North America, Anas carolinensis)
    Anas c. crecca 

  29. Garganey  (*)  (Shimaaji) ______ SP   HN:apr,may
    Anas querquedula
      (monotypic)

  30. Gadwall  (*)  (Okayoshi-gamo) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HK:dec  KY:jan,dec  AM:jan
    Anas s. strepera

  31. Mallard  (*)  (Ma-gamo) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may,dec  HI:may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  AM:jan
    Anas p. platyrhynchos

  32. Eastern Spot-billed Duck  (*)  (Karu-gamo) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  AM:jan,jul,dec  OK:may 
    Anas zonorhyncha




    Eastern Spot-billed Ducks photographed during the Jan/Feb 2009 FONT Japan Tour
    (photo by Karl Frafjord)

  33. Northern Pintail  (*)  (Onaga-gamo) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,apr,may,dec  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,dec  AM:dec  OK:jan,feb,may
    Anas acuta 
    (monotypic)




    A Pair of Northern Pintails in flight
    (photo by Howard Eskin)


  34. Northern Shoveler  (*)  (Hashibiro-gamo) ______ SP,FW  NSHN:jan,apr,may  HK:feb,dec  KY:jan,dec  AM:jan,dec  OK:feb
    Anas clypeata 
    (monotypic)

  35. Red-crested Pochard (JAr) (*)  (Akahashi-hajiro) ______ FW
    Netta rufina 
    (monotypic)

  36. Common Pochard  (*) (ph)  (Hoshi-hajiro) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,apr,may,dec  KY:jan,dec
    Aythya ferina 
    (monotypic)

  37. Baer's Pochard (t3) (JAr) (*)  (Aka-hajiro) ______ FW
    Aythya baeri 
    (monotypic)

  38. Ring-necked Duck (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Kubiwa-kinkuro) ______ FW
    Aythya collaris 
    (monotypic)

  39. Tufted Duck  (*)  (Kinkuro-hajiro) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,dec
    Aythya fuligula 
    (monotypic)

  40. Greater Scaup  (*)  (Suzu-gamo) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:dec
    Aythya marila mariloides

  41. Steller's Eider  (*) (ph)  (JAr)  ______
    Polysticta stelleri

  42. Harlequin Duck  (*) (ph)  (Shinori-gamo) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,may  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Histrionicus histrionicus (pacificus) 
    (now  monotypic, with pacificus merged) (the single member of its genus)




    Harlequin Ducks are usually seen in large numbers 
    during late-fall & winter FONT Japan tours in Hokkaido.
    (photo by Howard Eskin)

     
  43. Long-tailed Duck  (*) (ph)  (Kori-gamo) ______ FW   HK:jan,feb,dec   (has been called Oldsquaw in North America)
    Clangula hyemalis 
    (monotypic, and the single member of its genus)




    The Long-tailed Ducks is yet another attractive species of waterfowl
    seen nicely during late-fall & winter FONT Japan tours in Hokkaido.
    (photo by Kim Steininger) 

  44. Black Scoter  (*)  (Kuro-gamo) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,apr,may  HK:jan,feb,apr,dec    (was considered conspecific with the Common Scoter of Europe, Melanitta nigra)
    Melanitta americana


  45. "Stejneger's" White-winged Scoter  (*)  (Birodo-kinkuro) ______ FW  HK:jan,feb,dec  (considered conspecific with the White-winged Scoter of North America, Melanitta deglandi, and was formerly so with the Velvet Scoter of Europe, Melanitta fusca)
    Melanitta (deglandi) stejnegeri
     

  46. Bufflehead  (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Hime-hajiro) ______ FW
    Bucephala albeola
      (monotypic)

  47. Common Goldeneye  (*)  (Hojiro-gamo) ______ FW  HN:jan  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Bucephala c. clangula

  48. Smew  (*)  (Miko-aisa) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Mergellus
    (formerly Mergus) albellus  (monotypic, and the single member of its genus) 

  49. Red-breasted Merganser  (*) (ph)  (Umi-aisa) ______ SP, FW  HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Mergus serrator 
    (monotypic)

  50. Scaly-sided (or Chinese) Merganser (t3) (JAr) (*)  (Korai-aisa) ______ FW
    Mergus squamatus 
    (monotypic)

    Regarding the SCALY-SIDED MERGANSER, go to:  RARE BIRDS OF JAPAN

  51. Common Merganser (or Goosander) (*)  (Kawa-aisa) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,may  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Mergus m. merganser

  52. Yellow-billed Loon (or White-billed Diver) (JAr) (*)  (Hashijiro-abi) ______ FW
    Gavia adamsii 
    (monotypic)

  53. Red-throated Loon (or Red-throated Diver)  (*) (ph)  (Abi) ______ FW  HK:jan
    Gavia stellata 
    (monotypic)

  54. Pacific Loon (or Pacific Diver (*) (ph)  (Shiroeri-ohamu) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,may  HI:may  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Gavia pacifica 
    (monotypic)




    A Pacific Loon

  55. Black-throated Loon (or Black-throated Diver; has also been called Arctic Loon) (*)  (Ohamu) ______ FW  HN:jan,apr
    Gavia arctica viridigularis

  56. Black-footed Albatross  (t3) (*)  (Kuroashi-ahodori) ______ SP,FW  HN:may
    Phoebastria
    (formerly Diomedea) nigripes

  57. Laysan Albatross  (*)  (Ko-ahodori) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan.may,dec
    Phoebastria
    (formerly Diomedea) immutabilis

  58. Short-tailed (or Steller's) Albatross (t2) (JAeb) (*)  (Ahodori) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,apr,may
    Phoebastria
    (formerly Diomedea) albatrus

    Regarding the SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS, go to:  RARE BIRDS OF JAPAN

  59. Northern Fulmar  (*) (ph)  (Furuma-kamome) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,may,dec
    Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii

  60. Bonin Petrel  (*)  (Shirohara-mizunagidori) ______ FW  HN:dec
    Pterodroma hypoleuca

  61. Bulwer's Petrel  (*)  (Anadori) ______ SP  NS:may
    Bulweria bulwerii 
    (monotypic)




    Bulwer's Petrels have been seen from ferries during FONT Tours
    in Southern Japan in the Spring


  62. Streaked Shearwater (JAneb) (*)  (O-mizunagidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:apr,may  HI:may  KY:may  AM:may  NS:may
    Calonectris leucomelas 
    (monotypic)

  63. Buller's Shearwater (JAr) (*)  (Minami-onaga-mizunagidori) ______ SP  HN:may
    Puffinus bulleri 
    (monotypic)

  64. Flesh-footed Shearwater  (*)  (Akaashi-mizunagidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  NS:may
    Puffinus carneipes 
    (monotypic)

  65. Sooty Shearwater  (*) (ph)  (Haiiro-mizunagidori) ______ SP   HN:apr,may  NS:may
    Puffinus griseus 
    (monotypic)

  66. Short-tailed Shearwater  (*) (ph)  (Hashiboso-mizunagidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HK:apr  NS:may
    Puffinus tenuirostris 
    (monotypic)




    A Short-tailed Shearwater photographed during a FONT tour
    (photo by Marie Gardner)


  67. Tristram's (or Sooty) Storm Petrel (nt) (*)  (O-suton-umitsubame) ______ SP   HN:may
    Oceanodroma tristrami 
    (monotypic)

  68. Swinhoe's Storm Petrel (nt) (*)  (Hime-kuro-umitsubame) ______ SP   NS:may
    Oceanodroma monorhis 
    (monotypic)

  69. Fork-tailed (or Grey) Storm Petrel  (*)  (Haiiro-umitsubame) ______ FW
    Oceanodroma f. furcata


  70. Little Grebe (or "Dabchick") (*) (ph)  (Kaitsuburi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  HK:jan  KY:jan,feb,dec  AM:jan,dec
    Tachybaptus ruficollis poggei




    A Little Grebe, at the moat of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo 

  71. Black-necked Grebe (or Eared Grebe) (*) (ph)  (Hajiro-kaitsuburi) ______ FW   HN:jan
    Podiceps n. nigricollis

  72. Horned Grebe (or Slavonian Grebe) (*) (ph)  (Mimi-kaitsuburi) ______ FW  HN:jan  HK:feb,dec 
    Podiceps a. auritus




    A Horned Grebe in non-breeding plumage
    (photo by Kim Steininger)

  73. Red-necked Grebe  (*)  (Akaeri-kaitsuburi) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,apr  HK:jan
    Podiceps grisegena holboellii

  74. Great Crested Grebe  (*)  (Kanmuri-kaitsuburi) ______ SP,FW  HIHN:jan,may  HI:apr  KY:jan
    Podiceps c. cristatus

  75. Oriental Stork  (t2) (JAr) (*)  (Konotori) ______ FW
    Ciconia boyciana 
    (monotypic)

  76. Crested Ibis  (t1)  (JAr)  ______
    Nipponia nippon    

    Regarding the CRESTED IBIS, go to: RARE BIRDS OF JAPAN




    Crested Ibis

  77. Eurasian Spoonbill  (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Herasagi) ______ FW  KY:jan,dec  NS
    Platalea l. leucorodia




    A Eurasian Spoonbill in flight

  78. Black-faced Spoonbill (t1) (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Kurotsura-herasagi) ______ FW  HN:jan  KY:jan,feb,dec  AM:dec  OK:jan,feb
    Platalea minor 
    (monotypic)

    Regarding the BLACK-FACED SPOONBILL, go to:   RARE BIRDS OF JAPAN





    Every year, some Black-faced Spoonbills winter in Japan.
    During our FONT Japan tours in the winter, we've seen 
    this very rare species usually on the southern Japanese islands 
    (Kyushu, Amami, & Okinawa), but in January 2007 we saw it, 
    for the first time, on Honshu. 




  79. Eurasian Bittern  (*)  (Sankano-goi) ______ FW
    Botaurus s. stellaris

  80. Black-crowned Night Heron  (*)  (Goi-sagi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,may,jul,dec  OK:may
    Nycticorax n. nycticorax

  81. Japanese Night Heron  ______
    Gorsachius goisagi

  82. Malayan Night Heron ______
    Gorsachius melanolophus 

  83. Eastern Cattle Egret  (*)  (Ama-sagi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:may  KY:jan,feb,may,dec  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul
    Bublucus coromandus 
     

  84. Little Egret  (*) (ph)  (Ko-sagi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  AM:jan,may,jul,dec
    Egretta g. garzetta




    Little Egret
    (photo by Howard Eskin)

  85. Chinese (or Swinhoe's) Egret  (t2) (JAr) (*)  (Kara-shira-sagi) _______ SP   HN:may  HI:may
    Egretta  eulophotes 
    (monotypic)

     
  86. Intermediate Egret  (*)  (Chu-sagi) ______ SP,FW   HN:apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan,may,jul,dec  AM:feb,may,jul  OK:feb,may,jul
    Mesophoyx
    (formerly Egretta) i. intermedia

  87. Great Egret  (*) (ph)  (Dai-sagi)  ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,may,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:jan  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  AM:jan,may,jul,dec  OK:jan,may,jul
    Casmerodius
    (has been Ardea) a. alba

  88. Grey Heron  (*) (ph)  (Ao-sagi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,may  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul
    Ardea cinerea jouyi




    Grey Heron
    (photo by Howard Eskin)

  89. Purple Heron (JAr) (*)  (Murasaki-sagi) ______ SP   HI:may
    Ardea purpurea manilensis

  90. Striated Heron  (*)  (Sasa-goi) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  HI:may  KY:may  OK:feb,may
    Butorides striatus amurensis

  91. Pacific (or Eastern) Reef Heron  (*)  (Kuro-sagi) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  HI:may  KY:feb  AM:jan,may,jul,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul 
    Egretta s. sacra

  92. Chinese Pond Heron  (JAr) (*)  (Akagashira-sagi) ______  SP   HI:may
    Ardeola bacchus 
    (monotypic)

  93. Cinnamon (or Chestnut) Bittern  (*)  (Ryukyu-yoshi-goi) ______ SP,FW   AM:jul  OK:may
    Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 
    (monotypic)

     
  94. Yellow (or Chinese Little) Bittern  (*)  (Yoshi-goi) ______ SP,FW   AM:jul  OK
    Ixobrychus sinensis 
    (now monotypic)

     
  95. Schrenck's Bittern  (JAr)  ______
    Ixobrychus eurhythmus

  96. Black Bittern  (JAr)  ______
    Dupetor flavicollis

  97. Red-tailed Tropicbird  ______
    Phaethon rubricauda

  98. White-tailed Tropicbird  (ph)  ______
    Phaethon lepturus

  99. Lesser Frigatebird   ______
    Fregata ariel

  100. Great White Pelican  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Pelecanus onocrotalus

  101. Dalmatian Pelican  (JAr)  ______
    Pelecanus crispus

  102. Brown Booby  (*)  (Katsuodori) ______ SP,FW   KY  NS:may
    Sula leucogaster plotus

  103. Masked Booby  ______
    Sula dactylatra

  104. Red-footed Booby  (ph)  ______
    Sula sula

  105. Great Cormorant  (*)  (Kawa-u) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,dec
    Phalacrocorax carbo hanedae
    (often considered synonymous with P. c. sinensis)

  106. Temminck's (or Japanese) Cormorant (JAneb) (*)  (Umi-u) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,jun  KY:jan,feb,may,dec  AM:jan,feb,dec
    Phalacrocorax capillatus 
    (monotypic) 

  107. Pelagic Shag (or Cormorant) (*)  (Hime-u) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  
    Phalacrocorax p. pelagicus

  108. Red-faced Shag (or Cormorant) (JAr) (*)  (Chishima-ugarasu) ______ FW   HK:jan
    Phalacrocorax urile 
    (monotypic)

  109. Osprey  (*) (ph)  (Misago) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan,feb,may,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul
    Pandion h. haliaetus 
    (the single member of its genus) 

  110. Oriental Honey Buzzard  (*)  (Hachikuma) ______ SP   HN:may
    Pernis orientalis

  111. Black-eared Kite  (*)  (Tobi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,dec (was part of the Black Kite, Milvus migrans, of western Eurasia & Africa)
    Milvus migrans lineatus

  112. White-tailed Eagle (nt) (*) (ph)  (Ojiro-washi) ______ SP,FW  HK:jan,feb,dec  (has also been called White-tailed Fish Eagle)
    Haliaeetus a. albicilla 




    White-tailed Eagles have been seen during FONT tours 
    in Honshu in the winter, and in Hokkaido in the winter & spring.
    The upper photo here is an adult bird. The lower photo, of an immature,
    was taken during the FONT Japan tour in January/February 2009. 
    (photo below by Karl Frafjord)


     
  113. Steller's Sea Eagle (t3) (*) (ph)  (O-washi) ______ FW   HN  HK:jan,feb,dec  (has also been called Steller's Fish Eagle) (A morph, at one time called H. p. niger, all-black except for the white tail, in Korea & adjacent Siberia, may now well be extinct.)  
    Haliaeetus p. pelagicus 

    Regarding the STELLER'S SEA EAGLE, go to:  RARE BIRDS OF JAPAN   





    The presence of the Steller's Sea Eagle is a wonderful aspect of the Hokkaido winter.
    During that season, the species occurs there in large numbers, having come from its
    breeding grounds in Siberia. 


    The Steller's Sea-Eagle is only
    in Japan in the winter, Nearly all of them winter in Hokkaido, 
    but
    we have seen the species rarely during that season in Honshu by Lake Biwa.  
    (Both of these photos were taken during FONT winter tours in Japan.)






  114. Hen Harrier  (*)  (Haiiro-chuhi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan  HI:may
    Circus cyaneus

  115. Eastern Marsh Harrier  (*)  (Chuhi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  (has been considered by some as conspecific with the Western Marsh Harrier of Europe, and was then called Northern Marsh Harrier)
    Circus spilonotus

  116. Northern Harrier  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Circus hudsonius

  117. Pied Harrier  (JAr)  ______
    Circus melanoleucos

  118. Northern Goshawk  (*)  (O-taka) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr  HK;dec  NS
    Accipiter gentilis fujiyamae

  119. Eurasian Sparrowhawk  (*) (ph)  (Hai-taka) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:may  HK:jan  KY:dec
    Accipiter nisus nisosimilis

  120. Japanese Sparrowhawk  (*)  (Tsumi) ______ SP,FW   HI:may  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:may
    Accipiter gularis iwasakii

  121. Chinese Sparrowhawk  ______
    Accipiter soloensis

  122. Eastern Buzzard  (*)  (Nosuri) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  HK:jan,feb,dec
    Buteo japonicus

  123. Rough-legged Buzzard  (*) (ph)  (Kaeshi-nosuri) ______ FW   HN:jan  HK:jan,feb,dec  (called Rough-legged Hawk in the New World)
    Buteo lagopus menzbieri

  124. Grey-faced Buzzard  (*)  (Sashiba) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  HI:may  AM:jan,feb,dec  OK:jan,feb
    Butastur indicus 
    (monotypic)

  125. Greater Spotted Eagle (JAr) (*)  (Karafuto-washi) ______ FW  KY:jan
    Aquila clanga 
    (monotypic)

  126. Golden Eagle  ______
    Aquila chrysaetos japonica

  127. Mountain Hawk-Eagle  (*)  (Kuma-taka) ______ FW   HN:jan  HK:dec  KY:jan,dec
    Spizaetus nipalensis orientalis 
    (this subspecies of Japan rather distinct from populations on mainland Asia)

  128. Ryukyu Serpant Eagle  ______
    Spilornis perplexus

  129. Eurasian Kestrel  (*)  (Chogenbo) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may,dec  HI:may  HK:jan  KY:jan,feb,dec  AM:jan,feb,dec  OK:jan,feb
    Falco tinnunculus interstinctus

  130. Merlin  (*) (ph)  (Ko-chogenbo) ______ FW
    Falco columbarius pacificus

  131. Northern Hobby  (*)  (Chigo-hayabusa) ______ SP, FW   HN:may  HI:may  KY:jan,jul  AM:jan
    Falco s. subbuteo

  132. Amur Falcon  (JAr) (*)  (Akaashi-chogenbo) ______  SP   HI:may
    Falco amurensis

  133. Peregrine Falcon  (*) (ph)  (Hayabusa) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may,dec  HI:may  HK:feb  KY:jan,feb  AM:jan,dec  OK:jan,feb
    Falco peregrinus japonensis

  134. Gyrfalcon  (*)  (Shiro-hayabusa) ______ FW   HK:jan,feb
    Falco rusticolus 
    (monotypic, but with a variation in color)

  135. Swinhoe's (or Asian Yellow) Rail  (*)  (Shima-kuina) ______ FW   AM:dec
    Coturnicops exquisitus 
    (monotypic)  

  136. Eastern Water Rail  (*)  (Kuina) ______ FW
    Rallus indicus

  137. Slaty-legged Crake  ______
    Rallina eurizonoides

  138. Okinawa Rail (t2) (JAe) (*) (ph)  (Yambaru-kuina) ______ SP,FW   OK:feb,may,jul
    Gallirallus okinawae 
    (monotypic)




    An Okinawa Rail photographed during a FONT tour.
    The species is endemic to northern Okinawa.  

  139. Ruddy-breasted Crake  (*)  (Hi-kuina) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:may  AM:jul  OK:jan,may
    Porzana fusca erythrothorax

  140. Baillon's Crake  (*)  (Hime-kuina) ______ FW   AM:jan
    Porzana p. pusilla

  141. White-breasted Waterhen  (*)  (Shirohara-kuina) ______ SP,FW   AM:jan  OK:may,jul
    Amaurornis p. phoenicurus

  142. Common Moorhen  (*) (ph)  (Ban) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan,feb,may,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul
    Gallinula chloropus indica

  143. Watercock  (*)  (Tsuru-kuina)  ______  SP   AM:jul
    Gallicrex cinerea

  144. Eurasian Coot  (*)  (O-ban) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan,feb,dec  AM:jan
    Fulica a. atra|

  145. Common Crane (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Kuro-zuru) ______ FW   KY:jan,feb,dec
    Grus grus lilfordi

  146. Hooded Crane (t3) (*) (ph)  (Nabe-zuru) ______ FW   KY:jan,feb,dec
    Grus monachus 
    (monotypic)




    Hooded Cranes (front left & right), & a Sandhill Crane (front center)
    with White-naped Cranes in the background.
    Photographed during a FONT Winter Tour in Kyushu, Japan.

     
  147. Sandhill Crane (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Kanada-zuru) ______ FW   KY:jan,feb,dec
    Grus c. canadensis

  148. White-naped Crane (t3) (*) (ph)  (Mana-zuru) ______ FW   KY:jan,feb,dec
    Grus vipio 
    (monotypic)




    White-naped Cranes photographed during a FONT tour in Kyushu 

  149. Red-crowned (or Japanese) Crane (t2) (*) (ph)  (Tancho) ______ SP,FW   HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:feb  
    Grus japonensis 
    (monotypic)






    Two photos above of Red-crowned Cranes,
    taken during FONT Winter Tours in Hokkaido


  150. Siberian Crane (t1) (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Sodeguro-zuru) ______ FW   KY:jan
    Grus leucogeranus

    Regarding the SIBERIAN CRANE, go to:  RARE BIRDS OF JAPAN






    Two photos of Siberian Cranes taken during FONT Japan Winter Tours in Kyushu,
    the upper photo in 2000; the lower photo in 2004

      
  151. Demoiselle Crane  (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Aneha-zuru) ______ FW   KY:jan,feb
    Grus
    (formerly Anthropoides) virgo  (monotypic)




    A Demoiselle Crane, with Hooded Cranes, in Kyushu 
    during a FONT Winter Tour in Japan in 2000
    (photo by Trevor Ford)


  152. Pheasant-tailed Jacana (JAr) (*)  (Renkaku) ______ FW   OK
    Hydrophasianus chirurgus 
    (the single member of its genus)

  153. Greater Painted Snipe  (*)  (Tama-shigi) ______ SP,FW   KY  OK:jan,may
    Rostratula b. benghalensis 
    (the single member of its genus)

  154. Eurasian Oystercatcher  (JAr) (*)  (Miyakodori) ______ SP,FW  HN:apr
    Haematopus ostralegus osculans

  155. Black-winged Stilt  (*) (ph)  (Seitaka-shigi) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,apr,may,dec  OK:may 
    Himantopus h. himantopus 




    Black-winged Stilts photographed during a FONT tour in Japan
    (photo by Paul West)

  156. Pied Avocet  (JAr) (*)  (Sorihashi-seitaka-shigi) ______ FW   KY:jan  NS
    Recurvirostra avosetta 
    (monotypic)

  157. Oriental Pratincole  (*)  (Tsubame-chidori) ______ SP   AM:may
    Glareola maldivarum 
    (monotypic)

  158. Long-billed Plover (nt) (*)  (Ikaru-chidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  AM:jan
    Charadrius placidus japonicus

  159. Little Ringed Plover  (*)  (Ko-chidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  HI:apr  KY:jan,dec  AM:jan,may,jul  OK:jan,feb,may
    Charadrius dubius curonicus

  160. Common Ringed Plover (JArw) (*)  (Hajiro-ko-chidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:dec  HI:may  AM:dec
    Charadrius hiaticula tundrae

  161. Kentish Plover  (*)  (Shiro-chidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may,dec  KY:jan,feb  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan,feb (Eurasian birds were considered conspecific with those in North America & South America called the Snowy Plover)
    Charadrius alexandrinus dealbatus 

  162. Lesser Sand Plover  (*) (ph) (has been called Mongolian Plover (Medai-chidori) ______ SP,FW   HN:apr,may  HI:may  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan  
    Charadrius mongolus stegmanni  




    Lesser Sand Plover

  163. Greater Sand Plover  (JAr) (*)  (O-medai-chidori)  ______ SP,FW   AM:jan,may
    Charadrius l. leschenaultii

  164. Eurasian Dotterel  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Charadrius morinellus

  165. Pacific Golden Plover  (*)  (Munaguro) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan  AM:jan,dec  OK:jan,feb,may
    Pluvialis fulva 
    (monotypic)

  166. American Golden Plover  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Pluvialis dominica

  167. Grey (or Black-bellied) Plover  (*) (ph)  (Daizen) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may,dec  KY:jan,dec  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan,may
    Pluvialis s. squatarola

  168. Grey-headed Lapwing (nt) (*)  (Keri) ______ SP,FW  HN:jan,may  KY:dec
    Vanellus cinereus 
    (monotypic)

  169. Northern Lapwing  (*) (ph)  (Tageri) ______ FW  HN:jan  KY:jan,feb,dec  OK:jan
    Vanellus vanellus 
    (monotypic)

  170. Great Knot  (*)  (Oba-shigi) ______ SP   HN:apr,may
    Calidris tenuirostris 
    (monotypic)

  171. Red Knot  (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Ko-oba-shigi) ______ SP  HN:may  HI:may  AM:may
    Calidris canutus rogersi

  172. Temminck's Stint  (*)  (Ojiro-tonen) ______ FW   KY:jan,dec  OK:feb
    Calidris temminckii
      (monotypic)

  173. Red-necked Stint  (JArw) (*) (ph)  (Tonen) ______ SP,FW   HN:apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan   
    Calidris ruficollis 
    (monotypic)




    A Red-necked Stint in Japan
    in non-breeding plumage


  174. Little Stint (JAr) (*)  (Yoroppa-tonen) ______ SP   AM:may 
    Calidris minuta 
    (monotypic)

  175. Long-toed Stint  (*) (ph)  (Hibari-shigi) ______ FW   HI:may  OK:jan  
    Calidris subminuta 
    (monotypic)




    A Long-toed Stint in the spring

  176. Sanderling  (*) (ph)  (Miyubi-shigi) ______ SP,FW  HN:apr,may  HI:may  AM:jan,may
    Calidris alba rubida

  177. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper  (*) (ph)  (Uzura-shigi) ______ SP  HN:may  AM:may  
    Calidris acuminata 
    (monotypic)




    A Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in Japan.
    This species has been seen during FONT Japan Tours in the Spring.


  178. Curlew Sandpiper  (*) (ph)  (Saruhama-shigi) ______ SP  HN:may  AM:may
    Calidris ferruginea
      (monotypic)




    Curlew Sandpiper
    (photo by Howard Eskin)

  179. Dunlin  (*) (ph)  (Hama-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:apr,may,dec  HK:jan,feb  KY:jan,feb,dec  AM:jan,dec  OK:jan 
    Calidris alpina sakhalina 
    (other subspecies also occur in Japan: C. a. arcticola from Alaska, and C. a. kistchinskii & C. a. actites, both of these from further north in east Asia)  

  180. Pectoral Sandpiper  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Calidris melanotos

  181. Rock Sandpiper  (JAr)  ______
    Calidris ptilocnemis

  182. Spoon-billed Sandpiper  (JAr)  ______
    Eurynorhynchus pygmeus

  183. Broad-billed Sandpiper  (*)  (Kirai)  ______ SP   HN:may
    Limicola falcinellus sibirica 
    (the single member of its genus)

  184. Ruddy Turnstone  (*) (ph)  (Kyojo-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:apr,may  HI:may  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan,may  NS:may
    Arenaria i. interpres 

  185. Ruff / Reeve  (*) (ph)  (Erimaki-shigi) ______ FW   KY:jan  OK:jan
    Philomachus pugnax 
    (monotypic, and the single member of its genus)

  186. Eurasian Woodcock  (*)  (Yama-shigi) ______ FW  HN:jan  AM:dec
    Scolopax rusticola 
    (monotypic)

  187. Amami Woodcock (t3) (JAe) (*) (ph)  (Amami-yama-shigi) ______ FW   AM:jan,feb,jul,dec
    Scolopax mira 
    (monotypic)




    An Amami Woodcock, as seen during numerous FONT tours on the island of Amami.
    The species has also been seen, though less often, during FONT tours in Okinawa. 

     
  188. Latham's (or Japanese) Snipe (nt) (JAneb) (*)  (Oji-shigi) ______ SP  HI:may
    Gallinago hardwickii 
    (monotypic)

  189. Common Snipe  (*)  (Ta-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:apr,may  KY:jan  AM:jn,may  OK:jan,feb (has been considered conspecific with Wilson's Snipe of North America, Gallinago delicata)
    Gallinago g. gallinago

  190. Solitary Snipe  (*)  (Ao-shigi)  ______ FW   HN:jan
    Gallinago solitaria japonica

     
  191. Pin-tailed Snipe  (JAr) (*)  (Hario-shigi) ______ FW OK:jan,feb
    Gallinago stenura 
    (monotypic)

  192. Swinhoe's Snipe  (JAr) (*)  (Chuji-shigi) ______ FW NS(o)
    Gallinago megola 
    (monotypic)

  193. Jack Snipe  (JAr) (*)  (Ko-shigi) ______ SP HI:apr
    Lymnocryptes minimus 
    (monotypic, with nipponensis merged) (the single member of its genus) 

  194. Long-billed Dowitcher  (JAr)  ______
    Limnodromus scolopaceus

  195. Asian Dowitcher  (JAr)  ______
    Limnodromus semipalmatus

  196. Spotted Redshank  (JArw) (*)  (Tsuru-shigi) ______ FW   HN:may
    Tringa erythropus 
    (monotypic)

  197. Common Redshank (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Akaashi-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  AM:may  OK:jan,feb,may,jul
    Tringa totanus eurhinus
     

  198. Common Greenshank  (*)  (Aoashi-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  HI:may  KY:jan  AM:jan,maymdec  OK:jan,may,jul
    Tringa nebularia 
    (monotypic)

  199. Nordmann's Greenshank  (JAr)  ______  (another name is Spotted Greenshank)
    Tringa guttifer

  200. Marsh Sandpiper  (*)  (Ko-aoasi-shigi) ______ SP,FW   AM:may  OK:jan,may 
    Tringa stagnatilis
      (monotypic)

  201. Green Sandpiper  (*)  (Kusa-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,dec  AM:jan,dec  OK:jan,feb,may 
    Tringa ochropus 
    (monotypic)

  202. Wood Sandpiper  (*) (ph)  (Takabu-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HI:may  KY:may  AM:jul  OK:jan,may,jul
    Tringa glareola 
    (monotypic)




    Wood Sandpiper
    (photo by Howard Eskin)


  203. Terek Sandpiper  (*)  (Sorihashi-shigi) ______ SP   HN:may  HI:may  AM:may  OK:may
    Xenus cinereus 
    (monotypic, and the single member of its genus)

  204. Grey-tailed (or Polynesian) Tattler  (*)  (Kiashi-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:may  HI:may  KY:may  AM:may,dec  OK:feb,may,jul  NS:may  
    Heteroscelus brevipes 
    (monotypic)

  205. Common Sandpiper  (*)  (Iso-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may,dec  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,feb,dec  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan,may  NS:may
    Actitis hypoleucos 
    (monotypic)

  206. Eastern Black-tailed Godwit  (*)  (Oguro-shigi) ______ SP  HI:may  OK:may
    Limosa melanuroides

  207. Bar-tailed Godwit  (*) (ph)  (O-sorihashi-shigi) ______ SP,FW  HN:apr,may  AM:may  OK:jan,feb,may  
    Limosa lapponica baueri 


     

    Bar-tailed Godwits photographed during a FONT tour
    (photo by Paul West)

     
  208. Eurasian Curlew  (*)  (Daishaku-shigi) ______ SP,FW  HN:dec  OK:jan,feb
    Numenius arquata orientalis

  209. Eastern Curlew (nt) (*)  (Horoku-shigi) ______ SP,FW  HN:apr  OK:jan,feb  (has been called Far Eastern Curlew)
    Numenius madagascariensis 
    (monotypic)

  210. "Eurasian" Whimbrel  (*) (ph)  (Chushaku-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:apr,may  HI:may  AM:may  OK:jan,may,jul  
    Numenius phaeopus variegatus

  211. Little Curlew  ______
    Numenius minutus

  212. Red-necked Phalarope  (*) (ph)  (Haiiro-hireashi-shigi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan.may  HI:may
    Phalaropus lobatus 
    (monotypic)

  213. Red (or Grey) Phalarope  (*) (ph)  (Haiiro-hireashi-shigi) ______ SP   HN:apr
    Phalaropus fulicarius 
    (monotypic)

  214. Parasitic Jaeger (or Arctic Skua) (*) (ph)  (Kuro-tozokukamome) ______ SP   HN:apr
    Stercorarius parasiticus 
    (monotypic)

  215. Pomarine Skua (or Pomarine Jaeger) (*) (ph)  (Tozokukamome) ______ FW   HN:jan,apr,dec
    Stercorarius pomarinus 
    (monotypic)

  216. Long-tailed Skua  (or Long-tailed Jaeger) (ph)  ______
    Stercorarius longicaudus

  217. South Polar Skua  (*) (ph)  (O-tozokukamo) ______ SP
    Catharacta
    (or Stercorarius) maccormicki  (monotypic)




    The South Polar Skua is among the 
    many pelagic species seen during our 
    spring tours, when we're on the ferry
    offshore from northern Honshu.


  218. Great Black-headed (or Pallas') Gull  (*)  (O-zuguro-kamone) ______ FW   KY:jan
    Ichthyaetus
    (formerly Larus) ichthyaetus  (monotypic)

  219. Saunder's Gull  (t3) (*)  (Zuguro-kamome) ______ FW   KY:jan  OK:jan
    Saundersilarus
    (formerly Larus) saundersi  (monotypic)

  220. Black-headed Gull  (*) (ph)  (Yuri-kamome) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may,dec  HI:may  HKjan,feb,dec  KY:jan,dec  OK:jan
    Chroicocephalus
    (formerly Larus) ridibundus  (monotypic)






    Black-headed Gulls are seen during FONT Japan Tours
    in the winter
    (above), and in the spring (below).
    (photos by Armas Hill)

     
  221. Black-tailed (or Japanese) Gull  (JAneb) (*) (ph)  (Umineko) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may,jul  HI:apr,may  KY:jan,feb,dec  OK:feb(once)  
    Larus crassirostris 
    (monotypic)




    Black-tailed Gull
    (photo by James Scheib)


  222. "Kamchatka Gull"  (*)  (Kamome) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr  HK:jan,feb,dec  (part of the Mew Gull, of North America, that's been called the Common Gull Europe)
    Larus canus kamtschatschensis

  223. Vega Gull  (*) (ph)  (Seguro-kamome) _______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,feb,dec  (considered by some distinct from Herring Gull of Europe, Larus argentatus, and the American Herring Gull, Larus a. smithsonianus)
    Larus (argentatus) vegae






    Upper photo: a first-year Vega Gull
    Lower photo: an adult Vega Gull (left) & an adult Slaty-backed Gull (right)


  224. "Heuglin's" Lesser Black-backed Gull  (*)  ______ FW   KY:dec
    Larus fuscus heuglini

  225. "Mongolian" Yellow-legged Gull  (*)  ______ SP,FW   KY:jan,dec  HN:apr  (part of the "Caspian (or Pontic) Gull" - of the Yellow-legged Gull; previously part of Herring Gull)
    Larus cachinnans mongolicus

  226. Thayer's Gull  (*)  (Kanada-kamome) ______ FW   HN
    Larus thayeri 
    (monotypic)

  227. Slaty-backed Gull  (*) (ph)  (O-seguro-kamome) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan,feb,dec   
    Larus schistisagus 
    (monotypic)




    A first-year Slaty-backed Gull

  228. Glaucous-winged Gull  (*)  (Washi-kamome) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HI:may  HK:jan,feb
    Larus glaucescens 
    (monotypic)

  229. Glaucous Gull  (*) (ph)  (Shiro-kamome) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,may  HK:jan,feb,apr,dec  KY:jan
    Larus hyperboreus pallidissimus

  230. Iceland Gull  (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Aisurando-kamome) ______ FW   HK:jan
    Larus glaucoides kumlieni

  231. California Gull  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Larus californicus

  232. Ross' Gull (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Hime-kubiwa-kamone) ______ FW  HN
    Hydrocoloeus
    (formerly Rhodostethia) rosea  (monotypic) 




    This 1st-winter Ross's Gull, a rarity on Honshu,
    was seen in Tokyo during one of our Japan winter tours.
       

  233. Ivory Gull  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Pagophila eburnea

  234. Black-legged Kittiwake  (*) (ph)  (Mitsuyubi-kamome) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr  HK:jan
    Rissa tridactyla 
    (now monotypic, with pollicaris merged)

  235. Red-legged Kittiwake  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Rissa brevirostris

  236. Gull-billed Tern  (*)  (Hashibuto-ajisashi) ______ FW  OK
    Sterna
    (formerly Gelocica) n. nilotica

  237. Roseate Tern  (nt) (*) (ph)   (Beni-ajisashi) ______ SP  AM:may,jul  OK:may
    Sterna dougallii bangsi

  238. Black-naped Tern  (*)  (Eriguro-ajisashi) ______ SP  OK:may,jul
    Sterna s. sumatrana

  239. Common Tern  (*)  (Ajisashi) ______ SP   HN:may  KY:may
    Sterna hirundo longipennis

  240. Little Tern  (*)  (Ko-ajisashi) ______ SP  HN:apr,may  AM:may  OK:may,jul  NS:may  (closely related to Least Tern of North America)  
    Sternula (formerly Sterna) albifrons sinensis

  241. Whiskered Tern  (*)  (Kurohara-ajisashi) ______ SP,FW   KY:may  NS:may
    Chlidonias hybridus javanica

  242. Bridled Tern  (ph)  ______
    Onychoprion anaethetus

  243. Sooty Tern  (ph)  ______
    Onychoprion fuscatus

  244. Brown Noddy  ______
    Anous stolidus

  245. Common Murre (or Guillemot) (*) (ph)  (Umigarasu) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr  HK:jan,feb,apr
    Uria aalge inornata




    Common Murre - sometimes during FONT winter tours
    many murres are seen from the ferry between Honshu & Hokkaido  
    (photo by Kim Steininger)

  246. Thick-billed Murre (or Brunnich's Guillemot) (*) (ph)   (Hashibuto-umigarasu) ______ FW   HN:jan  HK:jan,feb
    Uria lomvia arra




    Thick-billed Murre - another species seen during FONT winter tours
    between Honshu & Hokkaido, and offshore from Hokkaido  
    (photo by Alan Brady)  

  247. Spectacled Guillemot  (*)  (Keimafuri) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan  HK:jan,feb   
    Cepphus carbo 
    (monotypic)

  248. Pigeon Guillemot  (*)  (Umibato) ______ FW   HN:jan  HK:jan
    Cepphus columba snowi

  249. Long-billed Murrelet  (*)  (Madara-umisuzume) ______ FW   HN:jan  HK:feb
    Brachyramphus perdix 
    (monotypic)

  250. Ancient Murrelet  (*)   (Umisuzume) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr  HI:may  HK:jan,feb,apr  (the Japanese word "umisuzume" translates to "sea sparrow")
    Synthliboramphus a. antiquus  (the other subspecies, S. a, microrhynchos, at Commander Is. in northeast Asia) 

  251. Japanese Murrelet (t3) (JAe) (*) (ph)  (Kanmuri-umisuzume) ______ SP,FW  HN:apr,may
    Synthliboramphus wumizusume 
    (monotypic)




    Japanese Murrelet
    This threatened species has been seen during the ferry trips to & from Hegura Island,
    in the Sea of Japan off the west coast of Honshu, during FONT Japan Tours in the Spring   

  252. Crested Auklet  (*)  (Etorofu-umisuzume) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan  HK:apr
    Aethia cristatella 
    (monotypic)

  253. Least Auklet  (*) (ph)  (Ko-umisuzume) ______ FW   HN:jan  HK:jan
    Aethia pusilla 
    (monotypic)

  254. Rhinoceros Auklet  (*)  (Utou) ______ SP,FW   HN:apr,may  HI:may  HK:apr
    Cerorhinca monocerata 
    (monotypic, and the single member of its genus) 

  255. Horned Puffin  (*) (ph)  (Tsunomedori) ______ SP  HK:apr
    Fratercula corniculata 
    (monotypic)

  256. Tufted Puffin  (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Etopirika) ______ FW  HN:jan
    Fratercula
    (formerly Lunda) cirrhata  (monotypic)

  257. Common (or Feral) Pigeon (i) (*)  (Dobato) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may,jul,dec  HI:apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul  NS:may
    Columba l. livia

  258. Black Wood Pigeon (nt) (JAneb) (*)  (Karasu-bato) ______ SP,FW   HI:may  AM:jan,feb,may,jul  OK:jan
    Columba j. janthina

  259. Oriental Turtle Dove  (*)  (Kiji-bato) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may  HI:apr,may  HK:feb  KY:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul 
    Streotopelia orientalis
    Streotopelia o. orientalis
    (on Hokkaido, Honshu, & Kyushu)
    Streotopelia o. stimpsoni
    (on Amami & Okinawa)

  260. White-bellied Green Pigeon (nt) (*)  (Ao-bato) ______ SP,FW  HN:may  KY:feb,may  OK:jan
    Treron
    (formerly Sphenurus) s. sieboldii

  261. Ryukyu Green Pigeon (nt) (*) (ph)  (Zuaka-ao-bato) ______ SP,FW  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  OK:feb,may,jul  (was known as the Whistling Green Pigeon when it was conspecific with the Taiwan Green Pigeon, Treron formosae; has also rather inappropriately been called the  Red-capped Green Pigeon)
    Treron
    (formerly Sphenurus) riukiuensis   
    Treron riukiuensis permagnus 
    (on Okinawa)
    Treron riukiuensis medioximus 
    (on other Japanese islands in Nansei Shoto) 




    A Ryukyu Green Pigeon photographed during a FONT tour in Amami
     
  262. Emerald Dove  ______
    Chalcophaps indica

  263. Rose-ringed (or Ring-necked) Parakeet (i) (*)  (Wakake-honsei-inko) ______ SP
    Psittacula krameri

  264. Eurasian Cuckoo  (*)  (Kakko) ______ SP  HN:may  HI:may  KY:may  (has been called Common Cuckoo)
    Cuculus canorus telephonus

  265. Oriental Cuckoo  (*)  (Tsutsudori) ______ SP  HN:may  HI:may  KY:may  (was conspecific with the Himalayan Cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus; another name has been Horsfield's Cuckoo)  
    Cuculus optatus 
    (formerly C. saturatus)  (monotypic)

  266. Lesser Cuckoo  (*)  (Hototo-gisu) ______ SP  HN:may  HI:may  KY:may  OK  (a formerly alternate name of Little Cuckoo inappropriate as there is a bird with that name in South America)
    Cuculus poliocephalus 
    (monotypic)

  267. Northern Hawk-Cuckoo  (*)  (Juichi) ______ SP   HN:may  KY:may  (was part of the Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo, Cuclus fugax
    Cuculus hyperythrus  

  268. Chestnut-winged Cuckoo  (JAr)  ______
    Clamator coromandus

  269. Blakiston's Fish Owl (t2) (*) (ph)  (Shima-fukuro) ______ FW   HK:jan,feb,dec
    Bubo b. blakistoni 
    (now genus Bubo rather than Ketupa)

    Regarding the BLAKISTON'S FISH OWL, go to:  RARE BIRDS OF JAPAN   




    The big & rare Blakiston's Fish Owl has been seen 
    during FONT Japan Tours in Hokkaido in the Late-Fall & Winter

     
  270. Eurasian Eagle Owl  (JAr)  ______
    Bubo bubo borrisowi 

  271. Japanese Scops Owl  (*)  (O-konoha-zuku) ______ FW   HI:may  KY:may  OK (has been considered by some as part of the Collared Scops-Owl of mainland Asia, Otus lettia)
    Otus semitorques pryeri

  272. Oriental Scops Owl  (*)  (Konoha-zuku) ______ SP  AM:may  OK:may  (was at one treated as a subspecies of the Common Scops-Owl, Otus scops)
    Otus sunia japonicus

  273. Elegant (or Ryukyu) Scops-Owl  (nt) (JAneb) (*)  (Ryukyu-konoha-zuku) ______ SP,FW   AM:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  OK:jan,feb,may  (recently considered part of Celebes (or Sulawesi) Scops-Owl of se Asian islands, Otus manadensis - prior to that, considered part of Oriental Scops-Owl, and at one time, treated as a subspecies of the Common Scops-Owl, Otus scops)
    Otus e. elegans  (other subspecies are on islands off Taiwan and the Philippines)

  274. Brown (or Oriental) Hawk-Owl  (*)  (Aoba-zuku) ______ SP,FW   HI:may  AM:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  OK:jan,may
    Ninox scutulata japonica

  275. Ural Owl  (*)  (Fukuro) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan  HK:jan  KY:jan,may
    Strix uralensis 
    Strix u. japonica (on Hokkaido) (on that island formerly S. u. hondoensis)
    Strix u. fuscescens
    (on Kyushu)

  276. Northerrn Long-eared Owl  (*)  (Torafu-zuku) ______ SP,FW   AM:jan,may
    Asio o. otus

  277. Short-eared Owl  (*) (ph)  (Komini-zuku) ______ FW
    Asio f. flammeus

  278. Tengmalm's Owl   ______  (also called Boreal Owl, in North America)
    Aegolius funereus

  279. Grey Nightjar  (*) (ph)  (Yotaka) ______ SP   HN:may  HI:may  KY:may  (was part of the Jungle Nightjar
    Caprimulgus indicus jotaka




    A Grey Nightjar photographed during a FONT Japan Tour in May
    on Hegura Island

  280. White-throated (or Northern) Needletail  (*)  (Hario-amatsubame) ______ SP   OK:may
    Hirundapus c. caudacutus

  281. House Swift  (*)  (Hime-amatsubame) ______ SP,FW   KY:jul  AM:may
    Apus nipalensis subfurcatus

  282. Pacific Swift  (*)  (Amatsu-bame) ______ SP   HN:apr,may  HI:may  HK  OK:may,jul   (another name is Asian White-rumped Swift
    Apus p. pacificus  

  283. Common Swift  (JAr)  ______
    Apus apus

  284. Ruddy Kingfisher  (*) (ph)  (Aka-shobin) ______ SP   HI:may  KY:may,jul  AM:may,jul  OK:may,jul 
    Halcyon coromanda
    Halcyon c. major
    (on Kyushu)
    Halcyon c. bangsi
    (on Amami & Okinawa)




    Ruddy Kingfishers have been seen during FONT Japan Tours in the Spring
    in Kyushu, Amami, & Okinawa (and once on Hegura Island)


  285. Black-capped Kingfisher  (JAr) (*) (ph)  (Yama-shobin) ______ SP   HI:may
    Halcyon pileata 
    (monotypic)




    A Black-capped Kingfisher on Hegura Island during a FONT tour 

  286. White-throated Kingfisher  (JAr)  ______
    Halcyon smyrnensis

  287. Collared Kingfisher  (JAr)  ______
    Todiramphus chloris

  288. Common Kingfisher  (*) (ph)  (Kawasemi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HI:may  KY:jan,feb,may,dec  AM:jan,may,dec  OK:jan,feb,may,jul
    Alcedo atthis bengalensis




    The Common Kingfisher is a brilliant jewel
    (photo by Paul West)

  289. Crested Kingfisher  (*)  (Yamasemi) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  KY:jan,feb,may,dec  (was called Greater Pied Kingfisher)
    Ceryle lugubris
    Ceryle l. pallida
    (on Hokkaido)
    Ceryle l. lugubris 
    (on Honshu & Kyushu)

  290. Oriental Dollarbird  (*) (ph)  (Bupposo) ______ SP  HI:may  KY:may  (closely related to the Broad-billed Roller of Africa)
    Eurystomus orientalis calonyx




    An Oriental Dollarbird on Hegura Island during a FONT tour 

  291. Eurasian Hoopoe (JAr) (*)  (Yatsugashira) ______ SP   HI:apr,may
    Upupa e. epops 
    (as U. e. saturata now merged)

  292. Eurasian Wryneck  ______
    Jynx torquilla

  293. Japanese Green Woodpecker (JAe) (*) (ph)  (Ao-gera) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  KY:jan,may,jul
    Picus awokera
    Picus a. awokera 
    (on Honshu)
    Picus a. horii 
    (on Kyushu)
    (birds are larger & lighter in the north, smaller & darker in the south) 




    Japanese Green Woodpecker,
    one of the country's endemic birds 


  294. Grey-headed Woodpecker  (*)  (Yama-gera) ______ SP,FW   HK:jan
    Picus canus jessoensis

  295. Black Woodpecker  (*)  (Kuma-gera) ______ SP,FW   HK:jan
    Dryocopus m. martius

  296. Pryer's (or Okinawa) Woodpecker (t1) (JAe) (*) (ph)  (Noguchi-gera) ______ SP,FW   OK:jan,feb,may,jul
    Dendrocopos
    (formerly Sapheopipo) noguchii




    The Pryer's Woodpecker, one of the (if not the) rarest of woodpeckers.

  297. Amami (or Owston's) Woodpecker  (JAe) (*)  (O-aka-gera) ______ SP,FW   AM:jan,feb,may,jul,dec  (has been considered a race of the White-backed Woodpecker)
    Dendrocopos (formerly Picoides) (leucotos) owstoni

  298. White-backed Woodpecker  (*)  (O-aka-gera) ______ SP,FW   HK:jan  KY:may
    Dendrocopos
    (formerly Picoides) leucotos subcirrus  (this subspecies endemic to Hokkaido) 

  299. Great Spotted Woodpecker  (*) (ph)  (Aka-gera) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:may,dec
    Dendrocopos
    (formerly Picoides) major japonicus




    The Japanese race of the Great Spotted Woodpecker,
    a widespread species across Eurasia

     
  300. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker  (*)  (Ko-aka-gera) ______ FW
    Dryobates
    (formerly Dendrocopos; prior to that Picoides) minor amurensis

  301. Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker  (*) (ph)  (Ko-gera) ______ SP,FW   HN:jan,feb,apr,may  HK:jan,feb,dec  KY:jan,may,dec  AM:jan,feb,may,dec  OK:jan,may  
    Yungipicus
    (formerly Dendrocopos; prior to that Picoides) kizuki
    Yungipicus k. ijimae  (on Hokkaido)
    Yungipicus k. seebohmi  (on Honshu)
    Yungipicus k. amamii 
    (on Amami)

    Yungipicus k. kizuki 
    (on Kyushu & Okinawa)




    A Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker photographed during a FONT tour
    (photo by Paul West)


  302. Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker  (JAr) (ph)  ______
    Picoides tridactylus inouyei 
    (subspecies seems to be nearing extinction)

  303. Rufous-bellied Woodpecker  (JAr)  ______
    Hypopicus hyperythrus

  304. White-bellied Woodpecker  ______  (now extinct on Tsushima Island, Japan; still exists in Korea & elsewhere in Asia)  
    Dryocopus javensis richardsi

  305. Fairy Pitta (t3) (*)  (Yairocho) ______ SP   KY:may,jul  (at one time, by some, considered conspecific with Blue-winged Pitta, Pitta brachyura)
    Pitta nympha 
    (monotypic)

  306. Hooded Pitta  (JAr)  ______  (accidental in southern Nansei Shoto)
    Pitta sordida

Some Notes:

The Owston's (or Amami) Woodpecker, endemic to Amami Island, has traditionally been considered a subspecies of the White-backed Woodpecker - the largest and darkest race of that wide-ranging species across the Palearctic. So distinctive is the bird on Amami, however, that it may well be a full species.