The Okinawa robin is a passerine bird endemic to Okinawa of Japan. It previously was considered a subspecies of the Ryukyu robin.
Region
Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Typical Environment
Primarily confined to mature subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests with dense understory, especially in ravines and along stream gullies. It prefers areas with abundant leaf litter for foraging and thick ground cover for nesting and concealment. Edge habitats are used occasionally, but it is most frequently encountered in interior forest with minimal disturbance.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Endemic to Okinawa Island in Japan, the Okinawa robin was formerly treated as a subspecies of the Ryukyu robin before being elevated to full species. It favors the dense subtropical evergreen forests of the Yanbaru region and is notably shy, keeping close to the forest floor. Habitat loss and introduced predators have impacted its numbers, and it is a protected species in Japan.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through understory
Social Behavior
Typically observed singly or in territorial pairs, especially during the breeding season. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low, often in dense roots, vines, or shrubs near the ground. Both parents participate in rearing, and pairs defend small territories in suitable forest patches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, fluty series of rich whistles delivered from low perches within dense cover. The song is melodious but subdued in volume, often carrying only a short distance through thick forest.
