How Bird Species Adapt
The environment in eastern Hokkaido is diverse, with wetlands, grasslands, forests, and rocky coastlines supporting a broad range of endemic and migratory bird species. Some have long legs and long beaks to hunt for food in wetlands and tidal flats, while others have wide wingspans and sharp talons to snatch up small mammals and fish.
The Japanese crane (tancho; Grus japonensis) and the gray heron (Ardea cinerea) hunt in the wetlands. They use their long beaks to pluck small fish, amphibians, and mammals from the water. Whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) spend time on the wetlands and lakes around Kushiro, digging for roots with their webbed feet. Predatory birds such as Blakiston’s fish owl have powerful legs and talons that allow them to capture small mammals and fish.