Which species is uniquely recognized as Japan's only flightless bird?
Answer
Okinawa Rail (Gallirallus okinawae)
The Okinawa Rail is distinguished by holding the unique status of being the only bird species in Japan that is entirely flightless. This rare bird is strictly confined to Okinawa Island in the far south of the archipelago. Its inability to fly is a classic demonstration of island evolution, where ground-dwelling birds that inhabit areas facing few native predators evolve to lose the evolutionary pressure necessary to maintain flight capabilities. Due to its extreme confinement to a single, relatively small island, the conservation status of the Okinawa Rail remains a major concern globally, as localized disaster could wipe out the entire species.
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