Java sparrows are pretty popular pets in Japan, where they’re called buncho. But even though buncho literally means “literature bird,” some of the cute little creatures apparently have more of a gift for music, like in this video of one Java sparrow dancing adorably to the sounds of one of Japan’s most popular rock bands and singing along like he’s at karaoke.
Java sparrows are pretty small, with a size so compact that you can have one perched on your thumb and still have room left over to hold a smartphone in the same hand. That’s what Japanese Twitter user Kiku-san did with her pet, and while he was there, she decided to play the video for “Yoru no Orodiko” (“Nighttime Dancers”) by Sapporo-based band Sakanaction.
But it wasn’t just Kiku-san who was enjoying the driving beat and energetic guitars, but her feathered friend as well, who got so amped up he started dancing like he was at a Sakanaction live show.
文鳥にサカナクション聴かせてみた結果がコチラwwwwww#サカナクション#buncho pic.twitter.com/o30WT6XrY6
— きくさん (@oo_KIKUSAN) November 15, 2015
▼ The official “Yoru no Odoriko” video
The Java sparrow shows off a pretty decent sense of rhythm, with his hops synching up with the song’s beats and the video’s cuts. Infused with the spirit of rock (or karaoke) the bird even starts singing along with a series of happy cheeps and chirps.
So even though the “Sakana” in Sakanaction comes from the Japanese word for “fish,” it looks like the band has at least one avian superfan.
Source: Hamster Sokuho, Twitter/@oo_KIKUSAN

Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Super Mario teams up with JR Kyushu for the perfect power-up steamed bun snack
Creator of Rurouni Kenshin anime/manga admits to possession of child pornography
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Monkey Majik and Taiiku Okazaki team up for bilingual Japanese-English track【Video】
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Super Mario teams up with JR Kyushu for the perfect power-up steamed bun snack
Creator of Rurouni Kenshin anime/manga admits to possession of child pornography
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Monkey Majik and Taiiku Okazaki team up for bilingual Japanese-English track【Video】
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Who the heck is this dancing foreigner advertising products in Japan?
Starbucks customers in Japan create a weird food hack that’s gone viral online
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]