One of great attraction of Mt. Takao is to be able to observe all kinds of birds. Its number is almost 150 kinds which is one third of the species confirmed in all over Japan. Mt. Takao is the paradise for birds and one of the best place for bird watching. Various kinds of birds and its lifestyle could be observed including summer birds come in spring time, winter birds come from the higher altitude and hearing beautiful bird songs during breeding season.
Change habitat by season and fly to Mt. Takao from autumn to spring. The color of body is gray with black head and wings and throat of male is distinct red. Live in a small group except breeding season and feed on seeds of plants, buds of trees and insects. Often feed on buds of cherry blossoms and ume. Prunus yedoensis is the favorite. Chirp sounding like whisles, hence the Japanese name uso (whisles are used to be called as uso in the past). The breeding season is from May to July and raising chicks in forests in mountains of 1,500 meters high elevations. Build a cup-shaped nest on trees including Japanese hemlock and lay four to six eggs in a season.
●Body Length about 16 cm
●Season November to March (wandering bird, bird that have different areas for breeding and spending winter)
●Body Length about 16 cm
●Season November to March (wandering bird, bird that have different areas for breeding and spending winter)