Birding in Japan Hokkaido

Ask any nature photographer, and they'll tell you that it's often the smallest subjects that leave the biggest impressions. During my annual Hokkaido Birding Photography Tour, one of my favorite subjects is the Shima Enaga (Aegithalos caudatus japonicus), which is Japan's third smallest bird. These tiny birds measure between 12 to 16 centimetres in length (about 5 to 6 in). Just a bit larger than the Goldcrest (regulus regulus) 8.5-9.5 cm (3.3-3.7 in) or the Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) 9-10.5 cm (3.5-4.1 in).

The Shima Enaga long-tailed tit has become an iconic winter species in Hokkaido, as well as a household name in Japan. It's common to find Shima Enaga merchandise in stores nationwide.

Most birders and wildlife photographers join my all-inclusive business class Hokkaido photography tour workshop to spot and photograph majestic species like Steller's Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus pelagicus), White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla), Blakiston's Fish Owls(Bubo blakistoni), Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus), and the elegant Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis), the tiny Shima Enaga often steals the show—especially for those adventures and patient enough to seek out these birds. Most years, we get lucky, and they appear at our regular birding hides/spots. However, in 2025, during my group Hokkaido workshops, they were a no-show at the usual winter spots due to the warm winter and these birds changing their eating habits. In March 2025, I led a private photography workshop for clients from Eurasia, and we had to journey deep into the Kushiro marshland backcountry to find them. And we did spot them; we spent a few days with them. One day, an entire flock of over twenty flew around us in circles for three hours, flying, jumping fast from tree to tree, sipping the oozing, sweet, watery sap and searching for insects caught in the hard tree sap from the previous season. It's one of the few days I can recall taking 1TB of images in a few hours. WOW, what a treat!

Shima Enaga - Japan Snow Fairy

NIKON Z 9 + NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S + TC-2.0x - ISO 800, 800mm, f/11, 1/8000s

The long-tailed tit (Aegithalidae) is sometimes referred to as the silver-throated tit or silver-throated dasher. Aegithalos (long-tailed tits) are five species of birds with a tail. Psaltriparus (North America Buishtit), monotypic. Psaltriparus (pygmy bushtit), monotypic. However, the Shima Enaga is found only in Hokkaido and is unique for its completely white, eyebrow-free adult face. Juveniles and mainland cousins usually have darker "eyebrows," which the Hokkaido subspecies lose as it matures. The long-tailed tit is insectivorous throughout the year. The Shima Enaga feed predominantly on arthropods, prefer the eggs of astronomically giant moths and butterflies and sometimes eat vegetable matter. Outside of the breeding season, they live in flocks from about July to February, composed of half a dozen to two dozen members, including the family (parents and offspring) from the previous breeding season, together with extra adults that help raise the brood.

These birds don't migrate, and in winter, they form tight-knit flocks of 10–20 individuals—usually made up of family. They're fiercely territorial and incredibly social, making for fascinating photo subjects in snowy forests.

In recent years, the Shima Enaga has become a cultural phenomenon in Japan. You'll find it immortalized as plush toys, cartoon characters, rice cakes, and even mochi-based rice balls designed to mimic their pure white fluff. But nothing compares to seeing the real bird perched delicately on a snowy branch.

The Shima Enaga is extremely fast and jittery, making it difficult to track with average camera gear. So in 2024, I upped the game and added the NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8 TC Z S to my bag; this lens has an all-new laser-fast autofocus VCM (SSVCM) motor coupled with the Z9, eye detection made it seem as if the Heavens Had Opened And a Bright Light Shined Upon Me, as the Shima Enaga were now easy to track focus on and photograph.

If you're ready to explore Japan's winter wildlife and capture one of its cutest and most captivating birds, join me in Hokkaido.

Japan Snow Fairy - Shima Enaga

NIKON Z 9 + NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S + TC-2.0x - ISO 800, 800mm, f/11, 1/2000s

Join me in 2027, The Hokkaido Birding and Wildlife Adventure of a Lifetime!

Previous Post Next Post