Birds of Minamisanriku
The abundant mountains, forests, and coastlines of Minamisanriku are ideal environments for numerous types of birds. In fact, some 260 different bird varieties are known to inhabit the region for at least some part of each year.
Arguably the most majestic is the Japanese golden eagle, an endangered species that is also Minamisanriku’s representative bird. Other birds of prey in the area include Steller’s sea eagle, the osprey, and the mountain hawk-eagle. There are various kinds of waterfowl as well, from seagulls and ducks to the rare brent goose, which winters here, feeding on the abundant seagrass. The Sunda scops owl also inhabits the area.