UGUISU
Japanese Bush Warbler
Cettia diphone
The Japanese Bush Warbler is a resident of Japan and the official bird of Tokyo (Edo). A most elusive bird, it is rarely seen except in the spring before the leaves appear on the trees. It lives and nests in tall grass, bamboo scrub and dense brushy undergrowth. The bush warbler's diet consists mainly of insects, though it sometimes dines upon nectar and fruit.
The Bush Warbler is known for its distinctive breeding call which begins in early spring. The beauty of its song prompted this bird to once be called the Japanese nightingale by the English, even though the bird does not sing at night. The Bush Warbler emits a low chirping call during the winter which is referred to as sasanaki in haiku. (one has to wonder at the similarity in sound to the Scottish term sassenach, which they called the English)
This bird has been a favorite subject of Japanese poetry, a symbol of early spring and associated with the ume blossom. The Japanese make a sweet called Uguisu-boru, or Uguisu Balls, meant to look like the buds of the ume flower. An image of the Bush Warbler is also commonly used, along with the ume blossom, as a decorative back on hanafuda playing cards.
There is also a kind of flooring called uguisubari which squeaks when walked upon, a sound reminiscent of the winter chirping of the Bush Warbler. It was originally intended to warn of an approaching ninja in the night.
Hear the warbler sing (quicktime required)
Take home a Japanese Bush Warbler!
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sources:
NatureServe Explorer
wiki-Bush Warbler
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