Facts and Features of Uguisu

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family: Cettiidae
Genre : Cettia
Scientific Name: Cettia diphone
Common Name : Uguisu
Other Name ( s ) : Oriental bush warbler ,Japanese Bush -warbler,singing bush warbler
Group:Birds
Number of species : 1
Staying Location: Japan, China, Korea
Habitat: Lowland and Mountain Forests
Color: Green, Brown , Green
Skin Type : Feathers
Size ( L ) : 14 cm - 16.5 cm ( 5.5 - 6.5in )
Wingspan: 20cm - 22cm ( 7.9in - 9 inches)
Weight: 18 g - 22 g (0.5 oz - 0.7 oz )
Maximum SPEED : 30kph (18 mph)
Diet: Omnivore
Eating habits : Insects , worms , berries
Attackers: cats , snakes , birds of prey
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behavior : Solitary
Life Period : 2-5 years
Sexual Maturity Age : 10 to 12 months
Gestation period : 2 to 3 weeks
Average Clutch Size : 3
Young name chick
Fledging age: 12-15 days
Preservation Status : Least Concern
Estimated Population Size : Stable
Major Threat: Loss of habitat
Most distinctive feature :Light colored lines on the eyes

Classification and evolution of Uguisu

Uguisu is a small bird species found in Japan ,China and Taiwan ,along with a number of other regions in East.It is also popular as the Japanese Bush - warbler,named due to it's beautiful special song.The Uguisu is more closely attached to other small song birds like nightingales ,Bushtits which are similar in appearance as well, although the Uguisu is slightly larger.Although they do not sing at dark night , as per the fact of it's beautiful song it is popular as Japanese nightingale.In 1830 it was first explained as a documented species by Heinrich von kittlitz.

Appearance and Anatomy of Uguisu

The Uguisu is characterized by it's dull coloration,especially compared to the beauty of  it's singing.They tend to be light brown or olive green along with dark plumage color to the tips of the wings and tail.Uguisu tail is relatively long in relation to their body size and consists of straight feathers , and it is similar in appearance to long tailed tits with which the Uguisu are believed to be closely attached.Like other species of small bird, the Uguisu also has thin legs , toes with long claws to help stick to branches more easily.The Uguisu has small dark eyes with light strips on top of each, and straight tan coloured beak.

Distribution and Habitat of Uguisu

The Uguisu commonly stays across Japan , where it is found throughout the year , along with some parts of northern Philippines.The Uguisu is also found in southern Russia, China and Korea, and in countries like Taiwan on seasonal.The Uguisu tends to be found in the mountainous regions in the different heights and is known to come down the mountains during winter season.The Uguisu is found in seasonal forests and bamboo thickets , where a lot of leaves are available to hide, along with a wide range of foods.

Behavior and lifestyle of Uguisu

As similar to Nightingales ,the Uguisu is a solitary bird and they gather during the breeding season.The Uguisu is pretty quiet during the winter months making low chirping noise in the bare trees , but in early spring they try to attract a mate by singing.Due to its highly hiding nature ,it is normally not seen rather than heard because they spend most of the day hours hiding in deep shadows of surrounding foliage.In some parts, the Uguisu are migratory birds flying different countries with the change of seasons.This is commonly used to protect themselves from cold mountain winters , especially in the large Japanese island of Hokkaido in the north direction.

Reproduction and Life Cycles of Uguisu

In the early spring season the breeding begins when the males are broken into beautiful song in order to try to attract a female to mate. As Nightingales , males and females are quite similar in appearance although the female are slightly smaller in size.The Uguisu female builds a cup-shaped nest in a dense branches,where it gives up to 5 small eggs.The female sits on eggs to keep hot and protect them from 2 to 3 weeks , when the chicks hatch.Uguisu Chicks are fed and taken care by their mother until they leave the nest about 2 weeks old.The Uguisu tend to live between 2 and 5 years in the wild .

Diet and Prey of Uguisu

The Uguisu feeds on a variety of plants and animals as it is omnivore in nature.Like other warblers and nightingales , the Uguisu has a predominantly diet consisting of  flies, worms , beetles , moths and grasshoppers.The Uguisu also eats fruits and berries to supplement their diet.The need for food is one of the reasons why the Uguisu migrate its natural environment.During the winter months , Uguisu faces difficulties to find food in these conditions without compromise.Moving to the lowlands , there is a greater likelihood that food will not be so scarce.

Attackers and Threats of Uguisu

The sound of this bird can be heard through the mountain forests of the Far East.Although it's easy to hear the sound but difficult for predators to detect among the foliage.There are a number of animals that catches Uguisu such as cats and dogs as well as snakes , lizards and birds of prey. Uguisu are also threatened by people who are declining natural forests to make way for the growth of cities , which means that the Uguisu has lost much of its natural range.

Special Facts and Features of Uguisu

The beautiful song of this bird is believed to not only be concerned with finding a partner ,but also is believed to be a declaration of territory to other individuals in the area.The Uguisu droppings (called guano ) are now used as a product in certain facial creams , as it will make skin smoother and more radiant Apparently , it is believed that this peculiar choice of moisturizer that has been used by geishas and Kabuki actors in Japan for centuries , and is now sold as a business elements.The Uguisu is seen as a sign of coming spring in Japan , so it is popular for other names, such as spring bird and Hanami bird.

Relationship of Uguisu with humans

Due to it's Japan habitat, the Uguisu has been represented in art and poetry for the beauty of its song.Also it is kept as cage birds which is very sad for this bird to live.As a use of guano in skin product it is kept to be transferred all around the world.Growing human settlement and land clearance for logging and agriculture , and increasing pollution levels are leading to decline the population of Uguisu.

Status and Life Today of  Uguisu

It has been included in the IUCN Red List as an animal of Least Concern and therefore is not under imminent threat as a species in its natural environment.This is because it is available in a number of countries at different altitudes and habitats.Population figures in certain areas are also stable , but are declining in others , mainly due to deforestation. At present it is cultivated in Japan , so their droppings can be collected and used as a composition of facial creams.