【National Designation：Natural Monument (Animal)】Wood Pigeons (Karasubato: Columba janthina)

The wood pigeons inhabit the evergreen broadleaved forests in mountainous areas of northern Okinawa Island, and on the Kerama Islands, Miyako Islands, and the Yaeyama Islands. Those found on Miyako and the Yaeyama Islands are subspecies known as Yonakuni-Karasubato (Columba janthina stejnegeri). They are black in color and when in the light, they have a metallic luster, showing various colors. They are the biggest species of pigeons found in Japan. Their call is unique in sound, calling out twice after a pause: u-oo, u-oo, mo-u, mo-u, or guru-guroo, guru-guroo, at times sounding similar to the sounds of cows. Their breeding period is long, extending from around February to September, making a nest atop a tree with loosely put together branches, and generally laying one, pure white egg. These birds mainly feed on nuts and fruits. They are rarely seen and appear to be very few in number.
Another subspecies, the Ryukyu Karasubato (Columba jouyi) which was bigger in size, hasn’t been observed since 1936 and is believed to have become extinct. (Designated without a specific area.)