Wildlife of Kozushima Island
Japanese Murrelet
Japanese murrelet is an endangerd seabird that only lives the sea near Japan. It is as same size as a starling, with a total length of 24 cm (9.4 inches). The crest and cheeks are black and the back of the head is white; this makes an attractive contrast. It dives to take the bait and swims like flying. It spends most of its life on the sea. It lives on land for a short period of the breeding season. In Kozushima Island, it is also called "Gyaaba."
http://vill.kouzushima.tokyo.jp/today/2017/05/post-444.html（外部サイト）
Blue Rock Thrush
The blue rock thrush has a wingspan of around 13 centimeters (5.1 inches), and is a member of the Muscicapidae family that is widely distributed throughout Africa and the Eurasian continent. During the breeding season from April to June, you can hear their beautiful songs. The bird is very similar to a bulbul, and in fact, the Japanese name of the blue rock thrush is isohiyodori, which means “beach bulbul.” The blue rock thrush is often seen among the rocks on beaches and on rocky mountains. The bird has had a close relationship with the people of Kozushima Island since ancient times. It is designated the official bird of Kozushima Village, and is depicted on some of the manholes on the island.
http://www.tokyo-atv.gr.jp/choson/guide/kozushima.html（外部サイト）
Namiyei Varied Tit
Kozushima Island is the main habitat of the namiyei subspecies of the varied tit that is classified as Vulnerable on the Red List of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.
The namiyei varied tit is an endemic subspecies distributed across Toshima Island, Niijima Island, and Kozushima Island, which are located in the northern part of the Izu Islands. Kozushima Island is believed to have the largest population of namiyei varied tits. The habitat density of these birds has always been low, and the population of the namiyei varied tit was always small. Unfortunately, recent years have seen the further reduction and fragmentation of the evergreen hardwood forests that that are their natural habitat.
https://ameblo.jp/sarusuberi1192/theme2-10047292100.html（外部サイト）
Mikurayama Stag Beetle
The Mikurayama stag beetle is a small stag beetle of less than 5 centimeters (2 inches) in length that is found only on Kozushima Island and Mikurashima Island, and nowhere else in the world. They cannot fly, and only move by walking along the ground. This subspecies is unique among stag beetles in that tree sap is not included in its diet. Because the population of the Mikurayama stag beetle is believed to be declining due to changes in the environment, capturing them is currently prohibited by ordinance.
Marlin
The marlin is a symbol of Kozushima Island and is the general name for a number of saltwater fish belonging to the striped marlin and swordfish families. Marlins share the distinctive feature of a sword-shaped, protruding upper jaw, and larger specimens can exceed 4 meters (13 feet) in length. These fish are caught by harpoon, and used to be the main marine produce on Kozushima Island. Harpoon fishing involves firing a harpoon from a small deck jutting several meters out from the prow of the ship, and requires a fair amount of courage and a great deal of skill. On Kozushima Island, you can also find manholes decorated with images of marlins.
https://www.gotokozu.jp/（外部サイト）
http://www.tokyo-atv.gr.jp/choson/guide/kozushima.html（外部サイト）
http://vill.kouzushima.tokyo.jp//travel/pamp-kozu.pdf（外部サイト）
Kozu Calanthe
In Kozushima Island, many wild orchids grow naturally. The Kozu Calanthe is an orchid endemic to Kozushima Island, and its dainty flowers bloom in May. The Kozu Calanthe is the main draw of the Kozushima Island Calanthe Exhibition held in early April, where approximately a hundred potted orchids cultivated on the island are displayed.
Black Pine
Black pine trees can grow up 40 meters (131 feet) tall, and are frequently found on coasts all over Japan. On Kozushima Island, the pines by the shore have grown into impressive trees. In contrast, on the top of Mt. Tenjo, where strong winds are always blowing, the pines grow close to the ground. Compared to the red pine, the black pine has a blackish bark, stiffer pine needles, and thicker branches. As a result, the black pine is sometimes called the male pine, whereas the red pine is referred to as the female pine.
Sakaki (Cleyera japonica)
It is very common to give branches or leaves of the sakaki tree as an offering to the Shinto gods during rituals. The sakaki is an evergreen tree that belongs to the Theaceae family and grows to about 10 meters (33 feet) in height. It grows naturally in fields and mountains and blooms with white flowers in early summer. Sakaki trees can be found growing naturally in various spots where alpine plants grow thickly on the slopes of Mt. Tenjo.
https://ameblo.jp/sarusuberi1192/entry-11109321676.html（外部サイト）
Iwachidori - A Rare Species of Orchid
On Kozushima Island, many wild orchids grow naturally. Among these is the iwachidori (Amitostigma keiskei), a rare species of endangered orchid that grows in the shadow of rocks. It is classified as Endangered in the Red Data Book of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.
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Related link
Kozushima Island
- Features of Kozushima Island
- History of Kozushima Island
- Wildlife of Kozushima Island
- Sightseeing on Kozushima Island
- Accessing Kozushima Island