Gunma Prefecture, located in the Kanto region of Japan, is home to many species of birds. With its diverse landscape, including mountains, coastal areas, and plains, Gunma is a haven for a variety of bird species.
From the nationally-protected Japanese Bush Warbler to the migratory Great Cormorant, Gunma provides a unique opportunity for birdwatchers to observe a variety of birds in their natural habitats.
Gunma also offers ample bird-watching opportunities, with designated bird-watching areas, such as the Jyoshin’etsu-Kogen National Park and the Tsuru no Mori Forest Park. With its abundance of bird species, Gunma is the perfect place to explore for any bird lover.
1. Japanese Wagtail
The Japanese wagtail is a species of bird that belongs to the Motacillidae family, which consists of pipits and wagtails. This species is native to both Japan and Korea, where it can be found in a variety of habitats including wetlands, grasslands, and even urban areas.
Its population is estimated to be between 500,000 to 1.6 million, making it a relatively common bird. The Japanese wagtail is a small but colorful bird, with a long tail that it often flicks.
Its plumage varies in color depending on the season but typically consists of a white breast, grey head, and yellow to olive-green back.
It feeds mainly on insects and can be seen foraging on the ground or in trees. In Japan, the Japanese wagtail is often considered a sign of good luck. It is known for its beautiful song, which is said to bring happiness and joy to any who listens.
The species is also a popular subject for artwork, as it is seen as a symbol of good fortune. Overall, the Japanese wagtail is a popular and beloved species of bird. It can be found throughout Japan and Korea and is an important part of the local ecology and culture.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Motacillidae |
| Genus | Motacilla |
| Species | M. grandis |
2. Green Pheasant
The green pheasant is an omnivorous bird that is native to the Japanese archipelago, where it is found in abundance. It is also known as the Japanese green pheasant and is the national bird of Japan.
Taxonomically, some authorities consider it a subspecies of the common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus. The green pheasant is a medium-sized bird with a long tail and a red crest. It has a greenish-brown body with some white feathers on its wings and tail.
Its beak is yellow and its legs are grayish. It usually forages in open areas, feeding on seeds, fruits, and other plant matter. It also eats small insects, amphibians and reptiles. It has adapted to living in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands.
The green pheasant is a monogamous species, with pairs usually staying together for life. The female lays up to ten eggs in a clutch. The male and female take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch after about twenty-one days.
The chicks are cared for by both parents until they reach maturity. The green pheasant is an important part of the biodiversity of the Japanese archipelago and has been designated as the national bird of Japan.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Phasianus |
| Species | P. versicolor |
3. Bull-Headed Shrike
The Bull-headed Shrike is a type of passerine bird, or perching bird, that lives in eastern Asia. It belongs to the shrike family, Laniidae. The Bull-headed Shrike is approximately 19-20 cm in length.
The male of the species has a distinct look with a brown crown, white eyebrow, and black mask. The back of the bird is grey-brown in color, while its wings are dark with a white patch. Its appearance is quite striking, making it easily identifiable in its natural habitat.
The Bull-headed Shrike is a carnivorous bird that mainly feeds on insects, small amphibians, and other small animals. It hunts by perching on a high spot and waiting for its prey to come by. It is known for its loud call, which can be heard from a great distance.
The Bull-headed Shrike is a widespread species that can be found in many different countries in eastern Asia such as China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. The species is not threatened and is listed as least concern by the IUCN.
It is an important species in the ecosystem, as it helps to control insect populations.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Laniidae |
| Genus | Lanius |
| Species | L. bucephalus |
4. Japanese Tit
The Japanese tit, also known as the Oriental tit, is a species of passerine bird native to Japan and the Russian Far East. It is closely related to the great tit, another member of the same family, but is distinct in its own right.
In its native range, the Japanese tit is found from the Amur River eastward, including the Kuril Islands, where it takes the place of the great tit. This species is found in a range of habitats, from deciduous and mixed forests to more open areas, making it quite adaptable.
It feeds on a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and small invertebrates. It also has a preference for nesting in tree cavities and uses its long, pointed bill to excavate its own nesting sites.
The Japanese tit is a vocal bird, with a number of distinctive calls that can be heard throughout its range. It is an important seed disperser, helping to maintain healthy forests in its native range.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Paridae |
| Genus | Parus |
| Species | P. minor |
5. Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
The Japanese pygmy woodpecker is a species of woodpecker that can be found in coniferous and deciduous forests in Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. It is a small species of woodpecker that has been placed in the genus Dendrocopos or Picoides.
The pygmy woodpecker is known for its small size and its ability to cling to tree trunks and branches. It has a black head with white spots and a brown back and wings. The underside of the wings is white with a black band and the tail is also black with white spots.
The pygmy woodpecker feeds on insects found on trees, as well as seeds and fruits. It is also known to sometimes feed on small birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
The pygmy woodpecker is a relatively common species but is not as widespread as some of the larger species of woodpecker. It is a protected species in some areas and is considered threatened in others. Despite this, the species is still found in many parts of its range.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Yungipicus |
| Species | Y. kizuki |
6. White-Bellied Green Pigeon
The white-bellied green pigeon is a species of bird that belongs to the family Columbidae. It is native to several countries in Asia, including China, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, India and Vietnam.
It has a preference for temperate forests for its natural habitat. This pigeon species is known for its distinctive behavior of drinking saltwater. This is a behavior that is not typical of most bird species, and is likely a result of the pigeon’s adaptation to its environment.
The saltwater consumption helps to replenish the salt and minerals that the bird may have lost through its diet, and helps it to survive in its native habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Treron |
| Species | T. sieboldii |
7. Eastern Buzzard
The eastern buzzard, also known as the Japanese buzzard, is a bird of prey that is of medium to large size. It is closely related to the common buzzard, and some scientists originally classified it as a subspecies of the common buzzard.
In 2008, however, some scientists began treating it as a distinct species, as opposed to a subspecies. Still, other scientists regard it as either one subspecies, or three distinct subspecies.
This is an example of the different approaches that scientists may take when classifying organisms. For instance, some may consider a species to be distinct if it meets certain criteria, while others may choose to classify it as a subspecies of a related species.
This demonstrates the complexity of classifying organisms, and the importance of conducting further research.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Buteo |
| Species | B. japonicus |
8. Narcissus Flycatcher
The narcissus flycatcher is a species of passerine bird that belongs to the Old World Flycatcher family. It is native to the East Palearctic region, which comprises of Sakhalin in the north and stretches across to Japan, Korea, mainland China and Taiwan.
During the winter season, these birds migrate to other parts of south east Asia, such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Borneo. Their habitat usually consists of open woodlands, forest edges, and gardens. The narcissus flycatcher has a rather distinctive appearance.
It is mostly grey in color with a white belly. It has a bright yellow patch on the throat and a white patch on the wings. It also has a thick, black bill with a yellow base. The length of the bird ranges from 13 to 16 cm.
The diet of the narcissus flycatcher primarily consists of insects, such as flies, moths and beetles. It also feeds on small fruits and berries. They usually hunt in open areas, such as fields and meadows.
The breeding season of the narcissus flycatcher begins in April and lasts until June. During this time, the birds build their nests in tree cavities or on walls. The female usually lays 2 to 4 eggs which are incubated by both the parents for around 14 days.
The young birds fledge after around 16 to 18 days. The narcissus flycatcher is not considered to be endangered, however, its population is decreasing due to habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts are needed to ensure the survival of this species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Ficedula |
| Species | F. narcissina |
9. White’s Thrush
White’s thrush is a species of bird which belongs to the family Turdidae, which is commonly referred to as the thrush family. This species of thrush was named after the English naturalist Gilbert White.
The genus name Zoothera for this species of thrush was derived from Ancient Greek, where zoon translates to “animal” and theras translates to “hunter”. The specific aurea is from the Latin word aureus, meaning “golden”.
This is likely in reference to the golden-brown plumage of the White’s thrush.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Zoothera |
| Species | Z. aurea |
10. Rustic Bunting
Source: ebird.org
The rustic bunting is a type of passerine bird, also known as a perching bird, that belongs to the Emberizidae family. This family of birds, which includes buntings and other species, has been separated from the finch family, Fringillidae, by many modern bird experts.
The genus name Emberiza is derived from an old German word, Embritz, which means bunting. The species name, rustica, is Latin for “rustic” or “simple”.
The rustic bunting is found throughout the northern part of the Palearctic, which is a biogeographical region encompassing the northern and western parts of Eurasia.
During the breeding season, these birds can be found in a variety of habitats such as grasslands, shrublands, and wetlands. The rustic bunting is an important species in its ecosystem, playing a role in seed dispersal and insect control.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Emberizidae |
| Genus | Emberiza |
| Species | E. rustica |
11. Asian Brown Flycatcher
The Asian brown flycatcher is a small bird belonging to the Muscicapidae family of flycatchers. The name Muscicapidae can be translated from Latin as ‘fly catcher’.
This family of birds is named after the area of Dauria, a region in south-eastern Siberia that was named after a nomadic tribe. The specific term dauurica is used to refer to this particular species of bird that comes from this area.
The Asian brown flycatcher uses its beak to catch flying insects in the air, and it is well-known for its ability to do this. It is a common sight in many parts of Asia, where it can be seen flitting around in search of food.
It is a small, attractive bird, usually with a brownish-grey head and back, and a white underside. Its wings and tail are darker, and it has a thin dark eye stripe.
It is an important part of the ecosystem in its native habitat, as it helps to keep the insect population under control.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Muscicapa |
| Species | M. dauurica |
12. Blue-and-White Flycatcher
The blue-and-white flycatcher is a migratory songbird that is part of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae.
It is also commonly known as the Japanese flycatcher due to its origins in the countries of Japan, Korea, and parts of the Russian Far East and northeastern China.
This bird is believed to have originated in these areas, and they continue to be the primary breeding grounds for the species. The blue-and-white flycatcher is identified by its bright blue and white feathers that cover the majority of its body.
It is a small bird that loves to inhabit areas of dense vegetation and woodlands, as this environment provides it with plenty of food sources and protection from predators.
During the winter months, many of these birds migrate to other parts of Asia and sometimes even further away to countries like India and Pakistan. The blue-and-white flycatcher is an important species to the environment and is often used as an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Cyanoptila |
| Species | C. cyanomelana |
13. Yellow Bittern
The yellow bittern is a species of small heron that is native to the Old World. It is found in the northern Indian Subcontinent, extending eastwards to the Russian Far East, Japan, and Indonesia.
Yellow bitterns tend to remain in the same area throughout the year, though some individuals in more northern regions may migrate short distances. The yellow bittern is a relatively small heron, with a wingspan of around 45 cm.
Its plumage is mostly yellow with dark streaks along the wings and back. Its bill is dark yellow and its legs are olive-green. The yellow bittern is a solitary bird, foraging for small fish, amphibians, and insects in shallow waters.
It is considered to be a vulnerable species due to the destruction of wetlands and the pollution of waterways.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ixobrychus |
| Species | I. sinensis |
14. Chestnut-Cheeked Starling
The Chestnut-cheeked Starling is a species of starling belonging to the family Sturnidae. It is found in several areas of East Asia, where it breeds in Japan and the Russian islands of Sakhalin and Kuriles.
During the wintertime, it migrates to Taiwan, the Philippines, and northern Borneo.
This species was formerly classified in the genus Sturnus, however, more recent taxonomic studies have reclassified it into its own genus. The Chestnut-cheeked Starling is a medium-sized bird, measuring around 18 cm in length.
It has a black head, neck, and wings, along with a black tail.
Its distinguishing feature is the chestnut-colored cheeks, which stand out in contrast to its otherwise dark plumage. The Chestnut-cheeked Starling is a mainly insectivorous bird, but it also consumes seeds and fruits.
It typically forages in small flocks, although it can also be found alone or in pairs. Breeding season for the species begins in April, with the birds nesting in holes in trees.
The female typically lays two to three eggs. Overall, the Chestnut-cheeked Starling is an interesting species of bird that is found in several areas of East Asia.
Its distinct chestnut-colored cheeks make it easily identifiable, and its insectivorous diet helps make it a valuable member of its native ecosystems.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Agropsar |
| Species | A. philippensis |
15. Yellow-Throated Bunting
Type II chain migration occurs when a species of bird migrates in a series of steps with only partial movements in each direction. In the case of the yellow-throated bunting, its migratory pattern follows this type of migration.
This species of bird migrates between its breeding grounds in China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Russia, and Taiwan and its wintering grounds. The migratory pattern is broken down into stages with only some individuals making the complete journey.
During the breeding season, the yellow-throated bunting can be found in temperate and subtropical or tropical dry forests. The yellow-throated bunting is an example of how some species are still able to migrate in spite of the challenges posed by human-induced climate change.
As the species is impacted by climate change, it may be forced to alter its migratory route or become extinct. This emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts, both for the species itself and the habitats in which it lives.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Emberizidae |
| Genus | Emberiza |
| Species | E. elegans |
Conclusion
Gunma is home to a wide variety of birds, from the majestic cranes of Mt. Akagi to the small songbirds of the Takasaki area.
These birds are an important part of the local ecology, providing food for other animals, as well as providing aesthetic beauty to the area. With the right conservation efforts, Gunma can continue to be a haven for birds for many years to come.