The Japanese Pygmy woodpecker or (Yungipicus kizuki) is a species of woodpecker, which is found in coniferous and deciduous forests in Japan and neighboring nations. This species has also been placed in the genus Dendrocopos or Picoides.

The Japanese pygmy woodpecker is 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in) long. The crown is grey-brown. A white supercilium starts above the eye and continues to the neck and breast. The ear coverts are brown, and they have a white moustachial stripe and a grey-brown malar stripe. The chin and throat are white. The mantle and back are dark brown and have white bars. The upper wing coverts and flight feathers are brownish-black and have white bars. The breast has a brownish suffusion. The breast, flank and belly have shifting streaks. The tail is blackish, with white bars on its outer feathers. The iris is chestnut, the beak is blackish, and the legs are grey. The female's beak, wings, and tail are longer than the males. The juvenile bird's throat is often streaked.

The Japanese pygmy woodpecker species eat invertebrates and berries. Its calls are hit, and kzz notes, and it drums weakly in short bursts. Breeding starts in March in Japan and in late May in northern Japan. A nest hole is excavated in a lifeless branch of a tree. Their eggs are white and lay five to seven; incubation is 12 to 14 days. Fledging occurs about three weeks after.

I photographed this Japanese Pygmy woodpecker while leading my annual winter wonderland wildlife, landscape Hokkaido Photography Workshop/Tour. My Camera was a Nikon D850, lens Nikor 800mm; my setting were F/8, 1/2500s, ISO 800.

Namaste, Blain in Japan