It is called the Akahige, red beard, because the male is dark red and has black feathers from its forehead to breast, which makes it look like it has a beard. It lives mainly in the woods near mountain streams. Its call is very high-pitched and metallic sounding. During the breeding season between March and June, it brings dead leaves to a hole in a tree or a crack in a rock to make a nest. Its area of distribution is as great as from Nagasaki to the Yaeyama Islands. The ones that live on mainland Japan are called the Nai Akahige, the ones on the islands of Okinawa or the Kerama Islands are called the Hontou Akahige, and the ones living in Yaeyama are called the Usu Akahige.
If you know of any other endangered or rare plants or animals on Okinawa or the surrounding islands please send us what you know and pictures if possible. Thanks.
