Ibaraki is a prefecture in Japan, known for its rich variety of birds. The prefecture boasts over 350 species of birds, including many rare and endangered species.
Ibaraki is home to the world’s largest population of the Japanese crested ibis, a species of ibis found only in Japan.
Other birds found in Ibaraki include the Japanese crane, the great white egret, the white-tailed sea eagle, the white-bellied green pigeon, and the white-tailed eagle.
Ibaraki is also a great place to watch migratory birds, as the prefecture is located on the Pacific Flyway, a major bird migration route. With its diverse range of habitats and its close proximity to Tokyo, Ibaraki is an ideal place for bird watching and bird photography..
1. Green Pheasant
The green pheasant, scientifically referred to as Phasianus versicolor, is a species of bird endemic to Japan. It is also known as the Japanese green pheasant. This species is omnivorous, meaning it feeds on both plant and animal matter.
It is considered by some taxonomic authorities to be a subspecies of the common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus. The green pheasant is the national bird of Japan and is found only in the Japanese archipelago.
It is characterized by its vibrant feathers, which can exhibit a variety of shades of green, yellow and brown. It has a long, pointed tail and a distinctively curved beak. The male green pheasant is larger than the female and has a bright red patch on its forehead.
The female is typically smaller in size and has brownish-grey plumage. The green pheasant is mainly a ground dweller, but it is also known to take to the air in search of food. It is a solitary bird but will gather in small groups during the winter months.
It is a shy and timid creature, but its beautiful plumage makes it a popular subject for photographers and bird watchers alike.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Phasianus |
| Species | P. versicolor |
2. Japanese Bush Warbler
The Japanese bush warbler, known in Japanese as uguisu, is a small bird native to Asia. It is a member of the passerine family, which includes songbirds such as thrushes and warblers.
The Japanese bush warbler is rarely seen but is often heard due to its melodic and distinctive song.
During the springtime, the song of the Japanese bush warbler can be heard across much of Japan. The Japanese bush warbler is a small bird with grey-brown plumage and a white belly. The bird has a short pointed beak and long legs.
Its song is made up of short, sweet whistles and trills, often described as one of the most beautiful of any bird in the world.
The song has become an iconic part of the Japanese springtime and is often used in traditional Japanese art and music. The Japanese bush warbler is an important part of Japanese culture.
It has been featured in many works of art and literature and is seen as a symbol of renewal and hope. The bird’s song is often used to signify the coming of spring and to celebrate the beauty of nature.
Although the Japanese bush warbler is not a well-known bird, its song continues to bring joy to people across Japan.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Cettiidae |
| Genus | Horornis |
| Species | H. diphone |
3. Chinese Bamboo Partridge
The Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus) is a small Galliform bird found in East Asia. It is one of three species that are part of the genus Bambusicola, the others being the mountain bamboo partridge of the Himalayas and the Taiwan bamboo partridge found in Taiwan.
The Chinese bamboo partridge is the only species in its group, known as a monotypic species. It has a brownish-gray coloration, with a black crown and white throat and eyes. Its wings are darker and its tail has a broad white tip.
This species has a short and rounded bill, and its legs are strong and powerful, allowing it to move quickly through dense vegetation. The Chinese bamboo partridge generally lives in lowland or mountain forests that are close to streams, where it feeds on insects and seeds.
It is a shy bird that is usually heard before it is seen, with its call sounding like a whistle.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Bambusicola |
| Species | B. thoracicus |
4. Narcissus Flycatcher
The narcissus flycatcher is a small bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It is native to the East Palearctic region, which covers a large area stretching from Sakhalin in the north, through Japan, Korea, mainland China, and Taiwan.
During the winter months, the narcissus flycatcher migrates to southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Borneo. The flycatcher is a small bird, with a length between 13 and 15 cm, and a wingspan of 25 to 28 cm.
It is mostly grey-brown in color, with a white belly and a bright yellow patch on its throat. The male has a long tail and a white eye ring.
Its diet consists mainly of insects, such as crickets and beetles. The narcissus flycatcher is a social bird, and can often be found in large flocks, even during the winter months. It prefers to nest in trees, but will also use man-made structures like power lines and buildings.
During the breeding season, the male will often sing to attract a mate. The narcissus flycatcher is an important species in its native areas, helping to maintain the balance of insect populations.
It is also a popular bird among birdwatchers and ornithologists, due to its distinctive appearance and pleasant song.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Ficedula |
| Species | F. narcissina |
5. Rustic Bunting
Source: ebird.org
The rustic bunting is a type of bird that belongs to the family Emberizidae. This family of birds is now considered to be separate from the finches, which are from the family Fringillidae. The scientific name of the rustic bunting is Emberiza rustica.
The genus name, Emberiza, comes from an Old German word meaning bunting, and the specific name, Rustica, is Latin for “rustic, simple”.This species of bird breeds across the northern regions of the Palearctic.
The Palearctic is one of the eight biogeographic realms of the Earth and covers Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. This area of the world is known for its cold and harsh winters, which makes the rustic bunting well-suited for the region.
It is believed that the species has adapted to withstand the cold temperatures of the area, allowing it to survive and thrive in this environment.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Emberizidae |
| Genus | Emberiza |
| Species | E. rustica |
6. Asian House Martin
The Asian house martin is a small migratory bird that belongs to the swallow family, Hirundinidae. It has mainly blue-black feathers on its upper parts, with a distinctive white rump. The feathers on its underparts are a pale grey colour.
The bird migrates from Europe to Asia every year, usually during the spring and summer months. Its wings are long and narrow, allowing it to fly quickly and gracefully. It feeds on flying insects, often swooping rapidly through the air to catch them.
The Asian house martin is a common sight in many parts of the world and is an important part of many local ecosystems.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Delichon |
| Species | D. dasypus |
7. Eastern Marsh Harrier
The eastern marsh harrier (Circus spilonotus) is a diurnal bird of prey belonging to the marsh harrier group of harriers, which is closely related to the western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus).
It was previously considered to be the same species as the western marsh harrier, but is now usually classified as a separate species. The eastern marsh harrier is found throughout eastern Asia, and is further divided into two subspecies: C. s.
spilonotus, which is found in eastern Asia, and C. s. spilothorax, which is found in New Guinea. The eastern marsh harrier is a large bird, with a wingspan of up to 1.2 meters and a body length of up to 60 centimeters.
It has a brown back with a white underside and distinctive black patches on its tail and wings. Its diet consists mainly of small birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
The eastern marsh harrier is an endangered species, due to the destruction of its habitat and the illegal hunting of its prey.
Conservation efforts have been initiated to protect the eastern marsh harrier, such as the creation of protected areas, the regulation of hunting activities, and the introduction of public awareness campaigns.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Circus |
| Species | C. spilonotus |
8. Oriental Reed Warbler
The Oriental reed warbler is a bird species belonging to the Acrocephalus genus of reed warblers. It is native to eastern Asia and used to be considered a subspecies of the great reed warbler, which is found in the western Palearctic region.
The Oriental reed warbler is a passerine bird, which means that it belongs to the order Passeriformes, a group of over 5,000 species of small to medium-sized birds. These birds are widely distributed around the world and are known for their song and vocalizations.
The Oriental reed warbler is a slender, medium-sized bird, typically around 8-9 inches in length. Its plumage is mainly brownish grey on its upperparts, while its underparts are yellowish-white.
The bird has a pointed bill and long legs, which it uses to forage for food in reed beds and marshes. It mainly feeds on insects, but also consumes small fruits and seeds.
The Oriental reed warbler is generally a solitary bird, but during the breeding season, it forms monogamous pairs. The female builds the nest and lays up to five eggs, which are incubated by both parents.
The young fledge after around two weeks and gain independence shortly afterwards.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus | Acrocephalus |
| Species | A. orientalis |
9. Common Reed Bunting
The common reed bunting belongs to the bird family Emberizidae, which has been split off from the finches, Fringillidae, by most modern authors. The genus name Emberiza comes from Old German and means “bunting”.
The specific name schoeniclus is derived from Ancient Greek and means “a now unknown waterside bird”. The common reed bunting is a passerine bird, which means that it is a perching bird. This species can be found in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of North Africa.
It prefers wetland habitats, such as marshes, reed beds, and damp meadows. This species is a ground-feeding bird, so it forages in short grass and on the ground for its food. The common reed bunting is a medium-sized bird, typically measuring 16-17 cm in length.
It has a conspicuous black head with a white collar, a brown back and wings, and a white belly. The male is more brightly coloured than the female, with a blue-grey head and a black bib.
This species has a wide range of vocalizations, including chirps, trills, and whistles. The common reed bunting is a passerine bird belonging to the Emberizidae family.
It is found in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of North Africa, where it prefers wetland habitats. The male of this species is more brightly coloured than the female, with a blue-grey head and a black bib.
It has a wide range of vocalizations, including chirps, trills, and whistles.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Emberizidae |
| Genus | Emberiza |
| Species | E. schoeniclus |
Conclusion
Ibaraki is an ideal place for bird lovers to visit, with a wide variety of species of birds to be seen in its various habitats.
From the expansive wetlands of the Tone River to the towering mountains of the Bando range, Ibaraki is home to an impressive variety of birds that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you are a beginner or a lifelong avian enthusiast, Ibaraki has something for everyone.