Okinawa woodpecker feeds baby bird

Okinawa woodpecker feeds baby bird

NAHA, Japan - An adult Noguchigera, an Okinawa woodpecker that is a Japanese natural treasure, feeds a chick in Higashison Takae, Okinawa Prefecture, on May 8, 2014.

Data collected by 2-yr survey to protect Okinawa Woodpecker

Data collected by 2-yr survey to protect Okinawa Woodpecker

NAHA, Japan - Survey team members from the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology and other entities discuss the methods for an ecological survey of the Okinawa Woodpecker in a forest in the village of Higashi, Okinawa Prefecture, on Feb. 21, 2013.

Data collected by 2-yr survey to protect Okinawa Woodpecker

Data collected by 2-yr survey to protect Okinawa Woodpecker

NAHA, Japan - Photo taken Feb. 21, 2013, in the village of Higashi, Okinawa Prefecture, shows an Okinawa Woodpecker, an endangered species with a characteristic long bill.

Data collected by 2-yr survey to protect Okinawa Woodpecker

Data collected by 2-yr survey to protect Okinawa Woodpecker

NAHA, Japan - Photo taken Feb. 21, 2013, shows an Okinawa Woodpecker, temporarily captured for an ecological survey in the village of Higashi, Okinawa Prefecture. The endangered species has beautiful red-tipped feathers around its belly.

Microchips to be implanted into pet cats in Okinawa

Microchips to be implanted into pet cats in Okinawa

TOKYO, Japan - The Environment Ministry plans to begin implanting microchips into pet cats, which will carry information about the cat and its owner, in a bid to protect endangered birds that are increasingly being preyed upon by stray cats. The ministry said Jan. 21 it hopes the move will protect endangered species such as the rare flightless bird, the Okinawa Rail (yambarukuina - in file photo), and the Okinawa Woodpecker (noguchigera), which live in the Yambaru region in Okinawa.

Endangered bird in newly designated nat'l park in Okinawa

Endangered bird in newly designated nat'l park in Okinawa

An Okinawa woodpecker, designated a Japanese natural treasure, is pictured in the Yambaru region of Japan's southernmost island prefecture of Okinawa on June 29, 2016. The region was designated as Japan's 33rd national park on June 20. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Microchips to be implanted into pet cats in Okinawa

Microchips to be implanted into pet cats in Okinawa

TOKYO, Japan - The Environment Ministry plans to begin implanting microchips into pet cats, which will carry information about the cat and its owner, in a bid to protect endangered birds that are increasingly being preyed upon by stray cats. The ministry said Jan. 21 it hopes the move will protect endangered species such as the rare flightless bird, the Okinawa Rail (yambarukuina - in file photo), and the Okinawa Woodpecker (noguchigera), which live in the Yambaru region in Okinawa. (Kyodo)