Japan

Checklist of Endemic Bird Species

This list of bird species found exclusively in Japan is based on the taxonomy used in HBW/BirdLife v. 9 (2024). For further details on possible inaccuracies in the list see Sources & Caveats.

HBW/BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist (Version 9.0).The lists are based on the October 2024 update available here.

Additional species considered valid by other major checklists are listed at the bottom of the page.

Syrmaticus soemmerringii (Galliformes Phasianidae) Copper Pheasant

Phasianus versicolor (Galliformes Phasianidae) Green Pheasant

Columba versicolor (Columbiformes Columbidae) Bonin Woodpigeon (Extinct)

Columba jouyi (Columbiformes Columbidae) Ryukyu Woodpigeon (Extinct)

Treron permagnus (Columbiformes Columbidae) Ryukyu Green-pigeon

Hypotaenidia okinawae (Gruiformes Rallidae) Okinawa Rail

Hydrobates matsudairae (Procellariiformes Hydrobatidae) Matsudaira's Storm-petrel (Breeding)

Phoebastria albatrus (Procellariiformes Diomedeidae) Short-tailed Albatross (Breeding)

Puffinus bryani (Procellariiformes Procellariidae) Bryan's Shearwater (Breeding)

Puffinus bannermani (Procellariiformes Procellariidae) Bannerman's Shearwater (Breeding)

Scolopax mira (Charadriiformes Scolopacidae) Amami Woodcock

Picus awokera (Piciformes Picidae) Japanese Woodpecker

Dendrocopos noguchii (Piciformes Picidae) Okinawa Woodpecker

Dendrocopos owstoni (Piciformes Picidae) Amami Woodpecker

Pericrocotus tegimae (Passeriformes Campephagidae) Ryukyu Minivet

Garrulus lidthi (Passeriformes Corvidae) Amami Jay

Sittiparus owstoni (Passeriformes Paridae) Izu Tit

Sittiparus olivaceus (Passeriformes Paridae) Iriomote Tit

Phylloscopus ijimae (Passeriformes Phylloscopidae) Ijima's Leaf-warbler (Breeding)

Phylloscopus xanthodryas (Passeriformes Phylloscopidae) Japanese Leaf-warbler (Breeding)

Apalopteron familiare (Passeriformes Zosteropidae) Bonin White-eye

Zoothera major (Passeriformes Turdidae) Amami Thrush

Zoothera terrestris (Passeriformes Turdidae) Bonin Thrush (Extinct)

Turdus celaenops (Passeriformes Turdidae) Izu Thrush

Larvivora tanensis (Passeriformes Muscicapidae) Izu Robin

Larvivora komadori (Passeriformes Muscicapidae) Ryukyu Robin

Larvivora namiyei (Passeriformes Muscicapidae) Okinawa Robin

Ficedula owstoni (Passeriformes Muscicapidae) Ryukyu Flycatcher

Carpodacus ferreorostris (Passeriformes Fringillidae) Bonin Grosbeak (Extinct)

Emberiza sulphurata (Passeriformes Emberizidae) Yellow Bunting (Breeding)

The following additional endemic species was recognized as distinct by the IOC since the IOC 10.1 checklist (IOC) and was also not recognized in any of the other major bird checklists.

Chloris kittlitzi  (Passeriformes Fringillidae)  Bonin Greenfinch