Okinawa Woodpecker (Sapheopipo noguchii)
Justification This woodpecker has a single tiny, declining population which is threatened by continued loss of mature forest to logging, dam construction, agriculture and golf course developments. These factors qualify it as Critical.
Identification 31 cm. Medium-sized, dark woodpecker. Generally deep brown with reddish tips to feathers, brightest on lower rump and uppertail-coverts. White spots on primaries. Tan-brown lores, malar area and ear-coverts and paler brown throat. Male has dark red crown and nape streaked with blackish-brown and female has blackish-brown crown. Voice Sharp whit call and a variable kyu-kyu kup kup kup or kyu kyu kup.
Population estimate 146 - 584
Sapheopipo noguchii is endemic to Okinawa Island, Japan, where it is confined to Kunigami-gun (=Yambaru) with the main breeding areas along the mountain ridges between Mt Nishime-take and Mt Iyu-take. It also occurs in coastal areas. It was considered close to extinction in the 1930s and, in the early 1990s, the breeding population was estimated to be c.75 birds and the total population between 146-584 birds. A density of 12.1 birds per km has been estimated at the US Forces Northern Training Area in north-eastern Okinawa.
Ecology It occurs in subtropical, evergreen broadleaved forest of at least 30 years old, with tall trees of more than 20 cm in diameter, much of which is now confined to hill-tops. Nesting is between late February-May, often in hollow Castanopsis cuspidata trees
Threats Its decline is primarily attributable to deforestation, which continues at a significant rate as a result of logging, dam construction and associated road-building, agricultural development and golf course construction. Its limited range and tiny population make it vulnerable to extinction from disease and natural disasters such as typhoons.
Action It is legally protected in Japan. It occurs in Yonaha-dake Prefecture Protection Area and small protected areas on Mt Ibu and Mt Nishime and conservation organisations have purchased sites where it occurs. In 1996, Yambaru was designated as a national park
