Osaka, also known as the “Nation’s Kitchen,” is a bustling city in Japan that is home to a diverse range of bird species. From the small and charming Japanese white-eye to the majestic black kite, Osaka’s avian fauna is truly fascinating.
Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just a curious nature lover, this article will introduce you to some of the most spectacular birds that you can spot flying over Osaka’s parks and gardens. Let’s dive into the world of Osaka’s birds and discover what makes them unique and special.
1. White-Bellied Green Pigeon
The White-bellied Green Pigeon is a species of bird that can be found in many parts of Asia. Its natural habitat is temperate forests, and it has an unusual habit: drinking saltwater.
This behavior was first observed at Terugasaki in Ōiso, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It’s primarily green with a white underside; additionally the males have purplish patches on their wings while females do not.
They usually build nests together as pairs or small colonies near water sources such as rivers and lakes.
Along with other pigeons they feed mainly on fruits like berries and figs but also consume seeds grains insects and even nectar from flowers during certain times of year.
The White-bellied Green pigeon plays an important role in maintaining balance between nature’s ecosystem by dispersing seeds throughout its range which helps promote vegetation growth for years to come.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Treron |
| Species | T. sieboldii |
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2. Little Ringed Plover
The Little ringed plover is a small species of bird from the genus Charadrius. It has been given its scientific name due to an uncertain origin and yellowish colouring, which was first noted in the fourth century Vulgate Bible.
Native to river valleys across Europe and parts of Asia, this wader prefers areas with soft ground where it can feed on insects or worms.
Its plumage consists mainly of brown tones but during breeding season males will develop a black breast band for courtship displays.
These birds construct shallow nests near waterbodies using pebbles found nearby as well as vegetation such as grasses and mosses to provide camouflage from predators.
The female typically lays three eggs at one time that are incubated by both parents until they hatch after around three weeks before fledging shortly afterwards.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Charadrius |
| Species | C. dubius |
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3. Common Greenshank
The Common Greenshank is a type of wader, belonging to the large family Scolopacidae. It’s name originates from Aldrovandus in 1599, and references Aristotle’s ancient Greek work which mentions a thrush-sized bird with white rump and tail bobbing.
Its scientific name “nebularia” actually means mist. This small bird can be found near wetlands or marshes throughout Europe and Asia – it has even been spotted as far south as Africa.
They are known for their long legs that allow them to easily traverse shallow water while searching for food like insects, crustaceans, mollusks or worms.
The Common Greenshank is an interesting species whose beauty should not go unnoticed by any nature enthusiast.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Tringa |
| Species | T. nebularia |
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4. Greater Painted-Snipe
The Greater Painted-snipe is a medium-sized, plump wading bird found in marshes throughout Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
It has distinctive features that make it stand out from its peers: a long reddish brown bill slightly curved at the tip with an eye patch of white or pinkish coloration; rounded wings speckled with buff spots; and a short tail.
The breast of this species has extensive white plumage which extends up around the top of its folded wing.
With its unique appearance, this avian beauty stands out among other birds in wetland habitats.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Rostratulidae |
| Genus | Rostratula |
| Species | R. benghalensis |
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5. Grey-Headed Lapwing
The Grey-headed Lapwing is a bird native to northeast China and Japan. During the winter season, they migrate to northern Southeast Asia from India all the way down to Cambodia.
The Japanese population has been known to spend some of their time in southern Honshū during this period as well.
It’s also classed as a vagrant species in several other countries such Russia, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and Sri Lanka too.
This lovely little lapwing has grey feathers on its head along with white around its face and neck area which makes it easy for people to identify them if spotted out in nature.
They feed mainly off insects but have occasionally been seen eating plants or small seeds now and then too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Vanellus |
| Species | V. cinereus |
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6. Temminck’s Stint
Temminck’s stint (Calidris temminckii) is a small, grey-coloured wader named after the Dutch naturalist Coenraad Jacob Temminck.
This species migrates between its breeding grounds in Europe and wintering sites across Africa and Asia, covering vast distances along the way.
It has been identified as being particularly vulnerable to changes in habitat due to land use changes on migration flyways or at stopover locations.
For this reason, it is listed under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).
Due to declining populations caused by human activities such as drainage of wetlands for agriculture, conservation measures are needed if we want future generations to admire this remarkable bird.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. temminckii |
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7. Pacific Golden Plover
The Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva) is an attractive migratory shorebird known for its breeding habits in Alaska and Siberia.
During the nonbreeding season, these medium-sized birds migrate widely across the Pacific.
It was formally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 as part of his revised edition of Carl Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae.
The species has a unique yellowish colouration with dark markings on their wings and back which gives them splendid camouflage against coastal rocks or sand beaches during migration periods.
They are omnivorous feeders who primarily eat insects, small crustaceans, worms and plant material like seeds or berries found along coastlines while migrating through various islands such as Hawaii, New Zealand etc.. A remarkable bird that possesses both beauty and resilience.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Pluvialis |
| Species | P. fulva |
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8. Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper
The Sharp-tailed sandpiper is a small wader bird that may belong in the Philomachus genus as P. acuminatus.
This would place it with the Ruff bird, however, it would also need to make room for the Broad-billed sandpiper.
This bird is unique among calidrid species, but it is uncertain whether it will be merged into the Philomachus genus along with the Sharp-tailed sandpiper.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. acuminata |
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9. Asian Brown Flycatcher
The Asian brown flycatcher is a small bird belonging to the flycatcher family Muscicapidae. Its name comes from the Latin words for “fly” and “catch.” This bird is found in Japan, eastern Siberia, and the Himalayas, and feeds primarily on insects.
Its scientific name, Muscicapa dauurica, refers to the Dauria region of south-eastern Siberia where it is found.
Known for its distinctive brown coloring, this bird is a favorite of birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Despite its small size, the Asian brown flycatcher is an important part of the ecosystem, helping to control insect populations and contributing to biodiversity.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Muscicapa |
| Species | M. dauurica |
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10. Red-Necked Stint
The Red-necked stint is a migratory wader known for its small size. It is often compared to the Little stint due to its similar appearance.
The bird’s genus name, Calidris, refers to grey-coloured waterside birds, according to Aristotle.
The Latin word rufus, meaning “red,” and collum, meaning “neck,” comprise the bird’s specific name ruficollis.
These tiny birds are known for their vibrant colors and are easily recognizable due to their distinct red necks.
They are also known for their remarkable migration patterns, flying long distances during breeding and non-breeding seasons.
Despite their small stature, Red-necked stints are impressive birds with a fascinating history.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. ruficollis |
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11. Grey-Faced Buzzard
The Grey-faced Buzzard is a small raptor that can be found in Manchuria, Korea, and Japan. It is known for its grey head, neck, and breast, and its white throat.
The adult buzzard also has distinctive black moustaches and mesial stripes, adding to its unique appearance.
This bird of prey feeds on lizards, small mammals, and large insects and can often be seen in open land areas.
During the winter months, the Grey-faced Buzzard can be found in Southeast Asia. Despite its small size, this bird is a formidable predator and an important part of the ecosystem in its native range.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Butastur |
| Species | B. indicus |
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12. Brown-Cheeked Rail
The Brown-cheeked rail bird, also known as the eastern water rail, is a member of the Rallidae family. It can be found breeding in northern Mongolia, eastern Siberia, northeast China, Korea, and northern Japan, and migrates to southeast Asia for the winter.
Previously recognized as a subspecies of the water rail, this bird is distinguished by its lighter upperparts and brown-tinged underparts.
Its brown cheeks further set it apart from the nominate form. As a relatively small bird, the Brown-cheeked rail is inconspicuous and often difficult to spot.
Nonetheless, it is an essential member of its ecosystem, contributing to both biodiversity and food webs.
Despite its remote and elusive nature, the Brown-cheeked rail adds to the richness of the avian world and warrants recognition and conservation efforts.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Rallus |
| Species | R. indicus |
13. Blue-And-White Flycatcher
The Blue-and-white flycatcher, also known as the Japanese flycatcher, is a migratory songbird found in the Old World flycatcher family.
It breeds in areas such as Japan, Korea, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East.
During winters, they can be found in Southeast Asia, primarily in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
This species is highly observed due to its charismatic blue and white plumage, and they can often be found in diverse habitats such as forests, parks, and gardens.
It is a small bird with a distinctive tail that helps them to catch insects while perched or in flight.
These birds are highly vocal and can be heard singing their melodious songs high up in the trees.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Cyanoptila |
| Species | C. cyanomelana |
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14. White-Cheeked Starling
The White-cheeked starling, also known as the grey starling or Spodiopsar cineraceus, is a bird belonging to the starling family found in eastern Asia where it is a common and well-known species.
Its length is 24 cm. Typically, it is placed in the genus Spodiopsar. The adult male is mostly dark grey-brown with a lighter belly and a whitish band across the rump. Its head has white cheeks.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Spodiopsar |
| Species | S. cineraceus |