Japanese Murrelet

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Japanese Murrelet Synthliboramphus wumizusume

Common. Endemic. Their breeding sites are confirmed on Nanatsu-jima (Ishikawa), Kutsu-jima (Kyoto), Hoshinokami-shima (belonging to Oki Islands, Shimane), Okino-shima, Koya-shima, Eboshi-jima (above islands are in Fukuoka), Birou-jima (Miyazaki), Kou-shima (Kochi), Mimiana-jima (Mie), Tori-shima, Kojine (Hachijo-kojima), O-nohara-jima, Onbase-jima, Tadanae-jima, Nefuzaki (Nii-jima), Mikomoto-shima (above islands belonging to Izu Islands, Tokyo). In addition to this, there is a possibility they breed in Tobi-shima (Yamagata). 

Recent studies show that Japanese Murrelets migrate annually around Japan. After breeding season they go towards the east and north on the Pacific Ocean with their chicks. In the summer, they are often seen at sea off Hokkaido, the Russian Far East, Sakhalin. After that (by the fall) they go towards the South on the Sea of Japan or the Pacific Ocean. In the winter, they go back to their breeding sites.

Fig. 1. Adult breeding.
Fig. 2. Adult breeding.
Fig. 3. Adult breeding.
Fig. 4. Molting breeding to non-breeding.
Fig. 5. Non-breeding.
Fig. 6. Non-breeding.
Fig. 7. Non-breeding birds.
Fig. 8. Presumed juvenile. Blackish bill.
Fig. 9. Presumed juvenile.
Fig. 10. Off Iwate Pref. 15 May 2021.
Fig. 11.
Fig. 12. During the non-breeding season, usually seen 1 to 3 birds, but sometimes seen flocks of more than 10 birds.