Ecological and behavioral observations of Okinawa Woodpecker Sapheopipo noguchii, with notes on conservation
1977 Volume 9 Issue 2 Pages 143-158
Details
1977 Volume 9 Issue 2 Pages 143-158
1, From 21st to 27th April, 1973, ecological status in breeding season of Okinawa Woodpecker or Noguchigera (Sapheopipo noguchii) was surveyed mainly in Mnts. Yonaha and Iyu. This research was supported by the Environmental Agency of Japanese Government.
2. Although Noguchigera had been formerly distributed south to the northern slopes of Mt. Nago of central part of Okinawa Island, the southern limit of its present distribution was determined at Mt. Iyu area.
3. Two breeding pairs of Noguchigera showed that they had a certain foraging range, but this was not considered to be a distinct defended territory.
4. Judging from the behaviors of a pair observed in Mt. Yonaha, Noguchigera is most active in this season in early morning (5:30 to 7:30) and in late afternoon (16:00 to 19:00).
In the midday time, Naguchigera was feeding quietly, coming out to open deforested area, but it was more actively foraging in undisturbed thick forest.
5. The drammings of Noguchigera were mainly heard in early morning (5:00 to 7:00), and in late afternoon (16:30 to 19:30).
Sometimes, we heard its drammings also in the midday at part of the feeding area, but these midday drammings were considered to be the hummerings for feeding on the dead branch.
6. It is thought that thick forest with dense fog is the most suitable habitat for the nesting of Noguchigera, and therefore, its original living environment. Such thick and humid forests are widely preserved in natural conditions on Mt. Iyu, especially in the Training Area of the United States Marines.
7. The breeding season of Noguchigera is between February and June. This bird builds its nest in half-dead old trees newly excavating the trunk of Castanopsis cuspidata, Machilus Thunbergii, but doesn't use to tally dead tree.
8. We attempted to estimate population density of Noguchigera, compareing with several published estimations of this bird population (Hachisuka et al 1953, Kuroda 1971, Short 1973, and Ikehara et al 1975).
9. We have discussed how should we do to protect the Noguchigera endemic to so small area only on Okinawa Island and how should we preserve the habitat of this bird.
