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Wildlife of Miyakejima Island

Izu Thrush - A National Natural Treasure, an Endangered Species, and the Official Bird of Miyake Village

The Izu thrush (Turdus celaenops) is designated as a national natural treasure and an endangered species. Its beautiful appearance and contrasting feather colors are extremely attractive, and it inhabits the coast, mountains, residential areas, and elsewhere. The Izu thrush is notable for its black head with yellow eye-rings and beak, its deep orange chest and stomach, and its brown back. The population is decreasing as a result of natural events, such as the predation of weasels and the eruption of Mt. Oyama in 2000. Miyakejima Nature Center Akakokko, which is operated by the Wild Bird Society of Japan, is currently researching the Izu thrush and monitoring its habitat and population.
(C)Miyakejima Tourist Association

An Izu thrush

Iijima's Leaf Warbler - A National Natural Treasure and an Endangered Species

Iijima's leaf warblers are migratory birds that migrate to Miyakejima Island in the spring and live here through the summer. After spending the summer in the Izu Islands, they then fly to the Philippines for the winter. It has been designated a national natural treasure and an endangered species, and is also recognized as one of Japan's endemic species. Iijima’s leaf warblers are small birds with olive green backs, white chests and stomachs, and cream-colored eyebrows. Their diet consists of insects, spiders, and fruit such as the Rubus trifidus, a relative of blackberries and raspberries. The name Iijima’s leaf warbler comes from Isao Iijima, who acted as the first chair of the Ornithological Society of Japan.
(C)Miyakejima Tourist Association

Ijima's leaf warbler

Japanese Murrelet - A Seabird and a National Natural Treasure

The Japanese murrelet is a seabird that reproduces in the seas around Japan and South Korea. They are an endangered species, and their conservation is considered a high priority throughout the world. These birds live at sea, except during the breeding season, and visitors can see them by participating in tours conducted by the Wild Bird Society of Japan. The Wild Bird Society of Japan is committed to the conservation of the Japanese murrelet as a symbol of the protection of the marine environment.

Japanese Murrelet

Styan's Grasshopper Warbler - A Migratory Bird on Cape Izu

Styan's grasshopper warbler is a member of the bush warbler family. Because there are very few of them living in the wild, they are considered to be precious, and are designated an endangered species. Their tail feathers have a distinctive shape, with white dots on the tips. Miyakejima Island is the largest breeding area for the Styan's grasshopper warbler in the Izu Islands, and Cape Izu is one of the most popular areas. Cape Izu is the place to see Styan's grasshopper warbler. Your chances of seeing one are very good from spring through early summer (April to June).

Styan's grasshopper warbler

Abundant Sea Life Carried by the Kuroshio Current

Many saltwater fish, originating from the south, are brought to Miyakejima Island by the blessing of the Kuroshio Current. Saltwater fish born in the southern seas, including the surge damselfish and the circular spadefish, are carried by the Kuroshio Current to Miyakejima Island during the period from spring to autumn. In addition, very rare fish, such as Morrison's dragonet, are found near Miyakejima Island, as well as Fisher's angelfish and the black leopard wrasse, which are aquarium fish native to south Japan and the Hawaiian islands. There are about 90 kinds of plentiful corals, and you can observe various living creatures.
(C)Miyakejima Tourist Association

Morrison's dragonet

Miyake’s Tree・Castanopsis sieboldii Forest

Castanopsis sieboldii is a Japanese evergreen, broad-leaved tree, which grows to over 20 meters (66 feet) in height. The forest of Castanopsis sieboldii is rounded and raised because the tree’s crown is spherical. The bark is dark brown, with a vertical cracks. The tip of the leaf is thin, and gold on the underside. In May, small yellow flowers will bloom, and the whole forest turns a beautiful yellow.

Over an extended period of time the Castanopsis sieboldii has taken over the forest of Miyakejima Island. Maigojii , Lost Child Castanopsis (pictured)on the side of Tairo pond is more than 600 years old.

Maigoji (stray chinquapin)

Wild Hydrangeas and Lacecap Hydrangeas Born from the Volcano

The official flower of the village, the lacecap hydrangea, blooms throughout the island during the early summer from June to July. Tiny blue flowers appear in the middle of the flower clusters, and white flowers bloom around them like a frame-shaped ornament. The Japanese name for the lacecap hydrangea is gaku ajisai (frame hydrangea). This name comes from the frame-like appearance of the white flowers. Each flower grows differently, and upon a closer look, you can see that they contain various colors. The color gradually changes from the time they start to bloom, making them enjoyable flowers to observe.

A lacecap hydrangea

Hibiscus and Lantana - Tropical Flowers

Miyakejima Island is also home to many tropical plants, such as the colorful hibiscus that bloom from June to October. The lantana, which blooms on Miyakejima Island from May to October, is called shichihenge in Japanese, which means that the color of the flower changes with time. Viola grypoceras var. hichitoana bloom on the Izu islands from March to May, and Japanese pittosporum can be found on the warm coastlines from April to May. Japanese fairy bells (Disporum sessile), which also bloom from April to May, are called hochakuso (decorative temple bells) in Japanese, and seaside morning glory, which is sensitive to cold weather, thrives here in the south part of Japan. Thunberg lily, a member of in the Liliaceae family, grows in the mountains and on the forest hills, blooming from June to August in various places in Miyakejima Island.
(C)Miyakejima Tourist Association

Hibiscus flowers

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