Blakiston’s Fish Owl
Blakiston’s Fish Owl (shimafukuro; Bubo blakistoni) is one of the world’s largest owls, with a wingspan that can reach over 1.8 meters. The indigenous Ainu people referred to it as kotan kor kamuy, or “god who owns the village.”
A fully grown adult male can weigh up to 3.5 kilograms, while females can weigh up to 4.6 kilograms. Their diet consists mainly of fish.
The owl is endangered due to deforestation, construction of dams, and river-straightening, which reduce potential nesting and feeding sites.
To prevent extinction, the Ministry of the Environment has introduced supplemental food sources, installed nest boxes in trees to provide nesting sites, and rehabilitated weak and injured owls.