Endangered Species Okinawa Rail

Here's one of my favorite photos and taken in Japan. The Okinawa rail (Gallirallus okinawae) is a species of bird in the rail family, Rallidae. It's existence was only confirmed in 1978 and was described in 1981. It is a medium-sized and mostly flightless with very short wings and tail with a red bill and yellowish legs. It occurs in subtropical moist forests and in neighbouring habitats. It nests and feeds on the ground but usually roosts in trees. It is classified as an endangered species and is threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators. Photo shot in 2006 with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 at 1/125 sec and F4.5 at 55mm. Prints are $35 ea. on ETSY.com Phillip Rauls Gallery.