Okinawa woodpecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Okinawa woodpecker |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dendrocopos
|
| Species: |
noguchii
|
 |
|
| Resident | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Sapheopipo noguchii |
|
The Okinawa woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii) is a special type of woodpecker. It lives only on Okinawa Island in Japan. This means it is an endemic bird.
Contents
What is the Okinawa Woodpecker?
This bird is also known by other names. Some people call it Noguchi's woodpecker. Others know it as the Okinawan woodpecker or Ryukyu woodpecker.
How to Spot an Okinawa Woodpecker
The Okinawa woodpecker is a medium-sized bird. It is about 31 centimeters (12 inches) long. Its body is mostly dark brown. Some of its feathers have red tips. You can see white spots on its main wing feathers.
The head of the bird is a lighter brown. Male woodpeckers have a dark red crown on their heads. Females have a blackish-brown crown instead. The Okinawa woodpecker makes a sharp "whit" sound. It also has a special call that sounds like "kyu-kyu kup kup kup."
Where the Okinawa Woodpecker Lives
These woodpeckers live in subtropical forests. These forests have evergreen broad-leaved trees. The trees must be at least 30 years old. They also need to be tall, with trunks wider than 20 centimeters (8 inches).
The Okinawa woodpecker builds its nests between late February and May. They prefer to nest in these old, tall trees.
Protecting the Okinawa Woodpecker
The Okinawa woodpecker is in great danger. It is listed as critically endangered. This means there are very few of them left. Their population is getting smaller.
There are less than 600 of these birds left. Their numbers are dropping fast. Scientists think their population might have gone down by 10-19% in just ten years.
Why the Woodpecker is in Danger
The biggest problem for the Okinawa woodpecker is losing its home. People are cutting down the old forests where they live. This is happening because of:
- Logging: Cutting down trees for wood.
- Dam construction: Building dams that flood forest areas.
- Agriculture: Clearing land for farms.
- Military developments: Building bases or training areas.
- Golf course developments: Creating new golf courses.
One of their main forest homes is being destroyed. This makes it very hard for the woodpeckers to find safe places to live and raise their young.
Efforts to Help the Woodpecker
The Okinawa woodpecker is protected by law in Japan. This means it is illegal to harm them. They live in special protected areas. These include the Yonaha-dake Prefecture Protection Area. They are also found in smaller protected spots on Mount Ibu and Mount Nishime.
Some groups have even bought land to protect the woodpeckers. In 1996, a large forest area called Yambaru became a national park. This helps protect the birds and their habitat.
New Challenges for the Woodpecker
The Okinawa woodpecker's home faces new threats. Construction of new helipads (landing spots for helicopters) near the Yanbaru forest can disturb them. Also, flights of large aircraft like the V-22 Osprey over the island can create loud noises. These noises can scare the birds and disrupt their lives.
Images for kids
-
An Okinawa woodpecker getting ready to drum on a tree.
-
Map showing where the Okinawa woodpecker lives.
