鶯 Japanese Bush Warbler

Complete track: / udppa
I got to know the Japanese Bush Warbler through the movement artist Masumi Saito. In June, for Xie Rong's project, I wrote a piece of music for Masumi that evokes the idea of 'mother' for her. Masumi wished to incorporate the sound of the Japanese Bush Warbler, which signals the arrival of spring in Japan, into the music.
Because they start singing at the beginning of spring, the Japanese Bush Warbler is also known as the 'Harukokucho' or 'Spring Teller Bird.' The polygamous Japanese Bush Warbler resides in Japan and Hokkaido throughout the year and migrates to Taiwan or southern China during winter. Interestingly, in the 1920s, they were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by humans, and they found the island to be a suitable habitat, becoming successful immigrant birds (that reminds me about the parakeets in the UK).
I am delighted to have learned about the Japanese Bush Warbler through Masumi. It is said that in Japan, their unique and beautiful songs are usually heard, but it is difficult to see their appearance because they are very shy.
Video made by Guy Wigmore from Xie Rong's My Mother is Beautiful performance.