Stomach analysis of Japanese woodpeckers

Abstract

Based on material kindly given to the author from late Mr. Jicho Ishizawa, stomach contents of Japanese woodpeckers, formerly collected by him, are analysed. The materials are from 8 species 12 spp. and subspp., 165 individuals of Woodpeckers collected during 1923-1941. They are: Picus canus jessoensis (5), P. awokera awokera (49), Sapheopipo noguchii (2), Dendrocopos major japonicas (14), D. m. hondoensis (58), D. leucotos subcirris (4), D. l. stejnegeri (7), D. l. owstoni (2), D. kizuki seebohmi (1), D. k. nippon (16), Dryocopus martius (5) and Jynx torquilla japonica (8).The result is summarized in the following table:It is to be noted that although ants are general foods especially preferred by Picus canus, P. awokera, Dendrocopos major hondoensis, D. leucotos and Jynx torquilla, much vegetable foods are taken by P. awokera, Saphaeopipo noguchii and D. major.