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, & December)

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.