BIRDS IN HOKKAIDO

It is said that Hokkaido was not connected to Honshu even when sea levels fell by about 100 metres during the Last Glacial Maximum, around 21,000 to 18,000 years ago. (北海道の歴史 上, p42 北海道新聞社: History of Hokkaido volume 1, p42 The Hokkaido Shimbun Press ) This is why certain animals can be found that are unique to Hokkaido.

On this page, I would like to introduce some birds photographed by my father, including species unique to Hokkaido.

A bird's appearance can vary depending on the season, sex or age, so it may not be easy to identify which species you are looking at while trekking at somewhere in Hokkaido. Nevertheless, every bird has its own beauty and charm - so simply enjoy the moment whenever you see one in the wild.

The bird images below have been identified with reference to The Wild Birds of Hokkaido (北海道野鳥図鑑) published by Alicesha (亜璃西社). Rarity evaluations are based on the classifications in the book, as described below:

★★★★: Very rare

★★★☆: Rare

★★☆☆: Frequently seen, depending on the region

★☆☆☆: Frequently seen

　　　March 2009 - Yakumo Town

Shima-Enaga: シマエナガ

'Shima' means island, Hokkaido. 'Enaga' means a long tail.

★☆☆☆

March 2009 - Yakumo Town　　　 

Yama-Gara: ヤマガラ

'Yama' means mountain. 'Gara or Kara' indicates a small bird. Yama-Gara means Kara living in mountains.

★★☆☆

September 2009 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo

Aka-Gera: アカゲラ

'Aka' means red. 'Gera' originates from Kitsutsuki (woodpecker).

★☆☆☆

March 2009 - Yakumo Town　　 　　 

Ko-Gera: コゲラ

'Ko' means 'small'. 'Gera' originates from Kitsutuki (woodpecker).

★☆☆☆

　　　March 2009 - Yakumo Town

Gojuh-Kara: ゴジュウカラ

It is unclear where 'Gojuh' comes from.

★☆☆☆

　　April 2012 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo　　 

Shiju-kara: シジュウカラ

It is unclear where the name comes from.

★☆☆☆

　　　January 2010 - Toyohira-ku

Hiyodori: ヒヨドリ

The name seems to originate from the bird's call.

★☆☆☆

January 2010 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo　　 

Miyama-Kakesu: ミヤマカケス

'Miyama' means 'deep inside mountain'. Kakesu is a popular bird name but it is unclear where it comes from.

★☆☆☆

　　May 2009 - Toyohira-ku Sapporo

Aoji: アオジ

'Ao' used to mean 'green'. Aoji describes a green 'Hohjiro'. Hohjiro is also a  bird name, which means 'a white cheek'.

★☆☆☆

February 2015 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo　 

Ki-renjaku: キレンジャク

'Ki' means yellow. 'Renjaku' expresses a flock of Suzume (sparrow).

★★☆☆

　　May 2013 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo

Oh-Ruri: オオルリ

'Oh' means 'large'. 'Ruri' indicates blue.

★☆☆☆

May 2013 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo　　 

Ko-Ruri: コルリ

'Ko' means 'small'. 'Ruri' describes blue.

★★☆☆

　March 2013 - Toyohiraku-ku, Sapporo

Tsugumi: ツグミ

Although the Tsugumi sings frequently in certain seasons, it suddenly falls silent in summer. That is why the name 'Tsugumi' is though to derive from 'Kuchi wo Tsugumu, meaning ' to keep one's mouth shut'.

★☆☆☆

May 2013 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo　　 

Nogoma: ノゴマ

'No' means 'wild field'. 'Goma' comes from 'Koma-dori', another bird.

★★☆☆

　　March 2009 - Yakumo Town

Beni-Hiwa: ベニヒワ

'Beni' means red. 'Hiwa' comes from the category of species.

★★☆☆

March 2009 - Yakumo Town　　　 

Miyama-Hohjiro: ミヤマホオジロ

'Miyama' means 'deep inside mountain'. 'Hohjiro' expresses 'a white cheek'.

★★★☆

　　June 2015 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo

Ki-Sekirei: キセキレイ

'Ki' means yellow. 'Sekirei' originates from the Chinese word '鶺鴒', which is pronounced 'Sekirei' in Japanese, meaning 'a bird with a beautifully upright posture'.

★★☆☆

June 2009 - Minamikayabe, Hakodate     

Haku-Sekirei: ハクセキレイ

'Haku' means white.

★☆☆☆

　　

　　

　　June 2014 - Toyohiraku, Sapporo

Sendai-Mushikui: センダイムシクイ

'Sendai' is written as '千代', which is also pronounced 'Chiyo', reflecting the call of the bird. 'Mushikui' means 'bug eater'. 

★★☆☆

April 2009 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo　　 

Ma-Hiwa: マヒワ

'Ma' means genuine. 'Hiwa' is something delicate.

★★☆☆

　May 2009 - Toyohira-ku, Sapporo

Shime: シメ

The name is thought to come from the call of the bird.

★☆☆☆

June 2007 - Mombetsu　　　　 

No-Bitaki: ノビタキ

'No' means wild field. 'Hitaki or Bitaki' originates from the call of the bird.

★☆☆☆