Habitat requirements of the endangered Amami Thrush (Zoothera dauma major), endemic to Amami-Oshima Island, southwestern Japan

Abstract

Abstract Amami Thrushes (Zoothera dauma major) are endemic birds distributed on Amami-Oshima Island in southwestern Japan. The population is considered to have declined during the latter half of the 20th century, mainly because of deforestation. I investigated the breeding habitat of Amami Thrushes in order to contribute to conservation efforts for these endangered birds. Field surveys showed that the thrushes prefer old-growth broad-leaved forests for breeding habitat. Both male and female parents cared for the nestlings, and most food items delivered for nestlings were earthworms, which were more abundant on the forest floor in older forests than in younger forests. Nests were placed on forks of large tree branches, rock ledges, and epiphytic ferns in middle to low strata of the forest. Older forests contained more large trees than younger forests, and epiphytic ferns were distributed in old-growth forests. The thrushs' preference for old-growth forests as breeding habitat was explained by the abundance...