Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species was once one of the rarest in Asia, with a global population size of <250 mature individuals. It has since undergone a remarkable recovery due to conservation action, from 50-100 breeding pairs at the turn of the century, to more than 1,000 estimated now (2,000-6,000 mature individuals). The chief threats, habitat loss and invasive Small Indian Mongoose, have been mitigated and the area of available habitat is now probably at carrying capacity. With a likely stable population trend, the species has a low risk of becoming extinct in the near-future. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.
Population justification
The number of mature individuals (singing males x 2) was estimated at 1,890 (95% CI; 1,654–2,210) in 2010, and increased to 5,024 (4,346-5,794) in 2013 (Mizuta et al. 2016). These data found relatively little change in abundance between 2007 and 2012, followed by a sudden increase in 2013, which went unexplained. It is therefore not clear whether the number counted in 2013 was artificially high, and the population size estimated in 2007-2012 remains a better reflection of the contemporary population size. Since 2013, it is possible that the population size has slightly increased, but is perhaps more likely that by 2013 the population was approaching its carrying capacity given the available area of habitat, and the fact that the threats by then had been considerably mitigated. To account for these uncertainties, the number of mature individuals is estimated at 2,000-6,000, with a best estimate at the upper half of this (i.e. 4,000-6,000).
Trend justification
The population trend is likely either stable or increasing. Based on a 1996 estimate the population size was reported as 58 mature individuals (Amami Ornithologists’ Club [AOC] 1997). Since the early 2000s, the population has been increasing in response to slowed forest loss and degradation and the mongoose eradication project, with 50–100 breeding pairs estimated in the early 2000s (MOE 2002). The number of birds (singing males x 2) quickly increased to an estimated 1,890 (95% CI; 1,654–2,210) in 2010, and further to 5,024 (4,346-5,794) in 2013 (Mizuta et al. 2016). The population size is now estimated to be 2,000-6,000, to reflect probably a now stable population at or close to carrying capacity.
Zoothera major is endemic to Amami in the northern Nansei Shoto Islands, Japan.
It is confined to mature (over 60 years old) subtropical broadleaved evergreen forest around humid valleys at altitudes of 0-400 m. A shy bird, it is often found near moss-covered rocks by forest streams. The diet includes invertebrates and fruit. Breeding is in May and June, when it nests on low branches c.1.5-3 m above the ground, laying clutches of 3-4 eggs.
No threats are thought to be currently acting on this species' range. Historically, its population was undoubtedly depleted by the clearance of mature broadleaf forest, and it is likely that the introduction of mongooses in the 1970s also contributed significantly (Mizuta et al. 2016). Mongoose numbers are believed to have peaked at c.10,000 in 2003, but are now very close to being entirely eradicated (Kanda 2023).
Conservation Actions Underway
It is legally protected in Japan. Much of this species' range is now protected and logging has ceased. A programme to eradicate Small Indian Mongoose is nearly complete (Kanda 2023).
30 cm. Large, heavily patterned thrush. Warm olive-brown to buff upperparts and whitish underparts with heavy black scaling. Twelve tail feathers. Similar spp. White's Thrush Z. dauma is smaller and has 14 tail feathers. Voice Cheerful song, mostly delivered in morning and similar to Siberian Thrush Z. sibirica. Z. dauma has more mournful song, often delivered at night.
Text account compilers
Westrip, J.R.S., Berryman, A., Benstead, P., Martin, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Amami Thrush Zoothera major. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/amami-thrush-zoothera-major on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.