Birds of Japan photographing and listing wildlife species plus other species. I update periodically when not in the field birding, so please check back now and again to find new species listed. Thank you for visiting, Namaste, Blain in Japan

The Red-Crowned Crane, Tancho as it is known in Japanese, stands at 150 to158 cm (4ft to 5 ft) tall weighing 8 to 11 kg (17 to 25) pounds with a large wingspan measuring 200 to 260 cm (6.5 ft to 8.5 ft) and live more than 60 years, wow imagine their size and watching the ballet! The population is less than 3,000 birds worldwide, but over 1/3 of the entire Red-crowned Crane population is native to Hokkaido. I photographed these Red-Crowned Cranes in 2019 while leading my annual Hokkaido photography tour.  Wikipedia  

The glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) is the second largest gull in the world which breeds in Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and winters South. This dominant gull is usually very pale in all plumages, and mostly with no black on either of the wings or the tail. Blain Photographed this Glaucous Gull while leading a Winter Hokkaido Photography Tour group of international birders. 

Onaga in English Azure-winged magpie (Cyanopica cyana) are from the Corvid family. And they are related to crows and jackdaws, but the Azure magpies are more elegant with beautiful light blue long tails and wings, raspy back, white throats, and black caps. They average 31- 36 cm long; the Japanese name Onaga means "long tail." These birds whistle and trill when in groups fired fast with a distinctive-sounding kwink-kwink-kwink followed by a single krarrah. They occur in large numbers in Japan and eastern Asia. These two I photographed in my backyard in Niigata in winter, but I also have, photographed them while leading a Hokkaido photo tour; I have seen them in flocks of up to 30, and some of my fellow birds have seen them in flocks of up to 80 in Japan.    Wikipedia

Kingfishers or Alcedinidae are a family of small to medium-sized, brightly colored birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species found outside the Americas. This kingfisher Blain photographed while  leading a Japan birding photography workshop tour in the Kanazawa region.  Wikipedia

The Steller's sea eagle is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was originally described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. No subspecies are recognised.  The Steller’ sea eagle is the champion of Raptors, glacial relics that have survived several ice ages. Somehow they seem immune to the passage of time. They are such extremely rare and formidable birds of prey that they have been around since the day of the dinosaurs, representing near evolutionary perfection, and with its deep piercing voice ra-ra-ra-raurau, those who have been in their presence “in the wild” have heard the echoes of the Steller’s dinosaur legacy.  Their plumage is blackish brown-black all over except on the shoulders, rump, tail, thighs, and forehead, which are white. Their HUGE, hooked bill is yellow; when they feed, they do it with raw power.  These Eagles are huge, on average, the heaviest raptor on our planet, weighing up to and over 10 kg (22 pounds). They are also tall, measuring up to 94 cm (3 ft) sometimes even taller, with a huge wingspan of up to 250 cm (8 - 9 ft).  I have personally photographed a Steller’s Sea Eagle I swear had a wingspan eclipsing 10 ft that I witnessed from my chartered helicopter while I was on assignment capturing landscape shots between Hokkaido and Russia. But sorry the raptor would not stop for me to get out my measuring tape.  Namaste, Blain in Japan

The Mejiro or Japanese White-Eye also, known as the warbling white-eye, is a very small and super fast passerine bird. Often the specific epithet is written japonica, but this is incorrect due to their species range and being native to Japan, East Asia, Russia, Indonesia, Korea, and the Philippines. They have also been introduced International as pest control with mixed results. When I took this shot of this Mejiro sucking the sweet nectar of the Kawazu Sakura Cherry Blossom that blooms in mid to late February, I had just returned from Hokkaido via Tokyo in the morning from my annual Hokkaido photo tour, and by noon I took the shot, I brought along all my Hokkaido photo tour participants to enjoy a rare opportunity to photograph Japans earliest blooming cherry blossom and the Mejiro, they certainly are a beautiful combination. The participants were genuinely amazed; not only did they get to photograph the Steller’s sea eagle, the red-crowned cranes, and other wildlife, they met the Ainu photograph minimalist winter scenes, enjoyed hot springs and Japans wild frontier. Just a few hours south, they got to enjoy cherry blossoms that most only dream of and believe they bloom in early spring March - April.    Wikipedia

The White-Tailed Eagle is also known as the white-tailed sea eagle, gray eagle, Eurasian sea eagle, which is one of the giant birds of prey in the family Accipitridae which includes other raptors such as hawks, kites, and harriers. The White-Tailed can be photographed all year round in Hokkaido, Japan. During harsh winters in Hokkaido, they co-exist with their bigger cousin The Steller’s Sea Eagle, and they can often be photographed in severe aerial combat or on a land fights, sometimes it's 2or 3 stellers against one white-tailed eagle, fish and food is why they fight, when there is no food shortage, they sit side by side in relative peace. These beautiful majestic raptors are known as the fourth largest eagle in the world; they are the only species known to be more massive in bulk then the Steller’s Sea Eagle, the Harpy Eagle, and the Philippine Eagle. These eagles measure from 65-95cm in length with a wingspan of 170cm to 260cm or about 5ft 5 to 8ft 5 inches. It is said this raptor has the largest wingspan of any living eagle. The male and female are similar in coloring and appearance, the accurate way to tell them apart is by tarsus width and depth and bill depth, but this is next to impossible unless they are captive or captured then released with tracking devices on their legs. I usually tell them apart by their size in which females are generally about 30% heavier and about 15% greater in linear dimensions.  I photographed this White Tailed Eagle while leading my annual Hokkaido Birding Tour Wikipedia  

The water rail is a bird of the rail family which breeds in well-vegetated wetlands across Asia, Europe and North Africa.  This water rail was photographed by Blain while leading a birding photography tour Japan.  Wikipedia

The Daurian Redstart is a small passerine bird from temperate Asia. In Japan, it is known as Jobitaki. Its length is 14 to 15 cm, and its weight is 11 to 20 g. Blain in Japan photographed this Durian Restart while leading a Japan private birding photo tour on Sado Island in Japan. Wikipedia

The great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) is a medium-sized woodpecker with pied black and white plumage and a red patch on the lower belly.  This species is found across Eurasia and parts of North Africa.  Photographed while leading a Hokkaido wildlife photo tour in northern Japan.   Wikipedia 

The Oriental stork is a large, white bird with black wing feathers in the stork family Ciconiidae. It was once thought to be extinct in Japan.  Blain photographed this endangered Oriental Stork in Japan while leading a birding photo tour Niigata.  Wikipedia

The Whooper Swan (Cygnus Cygnus) is a huge Northern Hemisphere Swan. These swans can be easily identified from other swans by the color of their bill, which has orangey yellow markings. Blain photographed these swans flying through a snowstorm while he was leading a birding wildlife photography workshop on Sado Island Niigata, Japan.  Wikipedia  

The Japanese Weasel (Mustela itatsi) is a carnivorous mammal belonging to the Mustelidae family. The Mustelidae is a family of carnivorous mammals, including weasels, badgers, otters, martens, mink, and wolverines, among others. Mustelids are diverse and the largest family in the order Carnivora. Blain’s team filmed this Japanse Weasel while on a Wildlife Winter Hokkaido Photography Tour Japan.  Wikipedia  

The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel is one of two species of the old world flying squirrels. Native to Japan they inhabit forests and boreal evergreen forests on Honshu and Kyushu islands. During the day these squirrels are comfortable in their den or hole mostly in the coniferous tree, emerging at night to feed. In 2019 - 2020 Blain will be once again leading Japan photography workshop vacation tours to photograph these amazing dwarf flying squirrels in the wild forests an hours drive from the middle of Tokyo.

The Kai Ken is a breed of dog that hails from Japan where it is a national monument and has been bred for centuries. It is a rare dog even in its native land and is one of the six native Japanese dog breeds protected by the Nihon Ken Hozonkai. Hachi is this Kai Ken’s Name and is part of Blain’s family who often accompanies him while Blain and his Team of expert photographers and explorers explore new regions for upcoming new and exciting Japan photography vacation tours & workshops.   Wikipedia  

Kawazuzakura is the earliest blooming Sakura in Japan. The Kawazuzakura/Cherry Blossom tree is well known in the Izu Peninsula and blooms in February. This species of Cherry Blossoms with its beautiful vibrant pink cherry pebble flowers is a must see, "so don't forget to add it to your bucket list." Blain Harasymiw annually leads many Japan hanami photo tours to view these beautiful early bloomers. Blain also leads Japan birding photo tours to photograph the Japanese white-eye, Meijiro bird feasting on the sweet nectar of the Kawazuzakura Cheery Blossom Flower.

Wikipedia 

The Japanese Tree Frog (Hyla Japonica) is a species of tree frog found in Hokkaido to Yakushima Japan and Northeastern China, Korea, Mongolia and the Russian East. Tree frogs are commonly found in rice paddies, and during the day can be found on leaves and vegetation, during the evening they are most active and chase insect and are attracted to lights. Blain photographed this tree frog while leading another Hokkaido photo tour.

The rustic bunting (Emberiza rustica) is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a species now separated mostly from the finches, (Fringillidae). The rustic buntings are a regular migrant of Japan and are a beautiful and fun bird to view and photograph, Blain loves these small passerine birds especially when they raise their hair as they perk their head and neck up. Blain photographed this rustic bunting while leading a private birding Hokkaido Photo Tour. Japan indeed is a birders paradise with over 600 species of bird to date.

The Eastern Spot-Billed Duck looks and sounds similar to it's close relative the mallard duck. You can quickly tell them apart by their bill, the mallard's bill is completely yellow while the spot-billed bill has only a spot of yellow. Aside from the bill, the Spot-billed duck can be identified by the white crescent shape of its wings, and their distinctive blue speculum. Blain photographed this spot-billed duck while he was leading a Hokkaido wildlife-birding photo tour.

The Tree Sparrow is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with rich chestnut crown and nape, with a black patch on each mostly pure shite cheek. Males and females have similarly plumaged, and younger birds are a duller version of the adult. The tree sparrow is not endangered globally, but globally there has been a drastic decline in their population due to human activities, and climate change. In many parts of the world, the tree sparrow is seen as a pest, although they are often seen and depicted in the oriental arts. These sparrows feed mainly on seeds and invertebrates, interestingly they have been documented by Blain Harasymiw & other plucking Cherry Blossom flowers and drinking the sweet nectar from the stem of the flower. Blain Photographed this tree sparrow drinking cherry blossom nectar while he was leading his annual group Cherry blossom photography tour in Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Niigata and Hokkaido Japan. The tree sparrow is found throughout Japan, so participants on Blain's cherry blossom photo tour have plenty of opportunities to photograph these adorable birds collecting the sweet nectar of the cherry blossom.

The Japanese Robin or Komadori is a small passerine bird in the family Muscicapidae. Participants on Blain Harasymiw's Hokkaido wildlife photography tours, and photo tours north of Tokyo, Japan often view and photograph these beautiful Japanese Robin.

The Mongolian Gull Larus mongolicus which diversifies in color and is a beautiful bird. They are usually medium grey comparable to Birula's gull and can be much darker in color The head of the Mongolian gull is largely white all year round with just a touch of streaking. The legs are ordinarily pink, and their eyes are usually pale with a red orbital ring. I photographed this stunning gull while leading my annual winter wonderland Hokkaido winter photography tour.

The grey-capped greenfinch or Oriental greenfinch (Chloris sinica) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae that breeds in broadleaf and conifer woodlands of Japan and other parts of East Asia. The grey-capped greenfinch is a medium-sized finch 12.5 to 14 cm (4.9 to 5.5 in) in length, with a strong bill and a short slightly forked tail. It nests in trees or bushes, laying 3-5 eggs. Blain photographed this greenfinch while leading a private birding photo tour Japan.

The White-cheeked Starling (spodiopsar cineraceus) is a passerine bird of the starling family and common to Japan. They are native to Japan and multiple parts of Asia; there is even a record of one reaching Homer Alaska in 1998 believed to have arrived by ship. They love to eat fruits their favorite food is said to be the Muku tree Nut and various other nuts. The adult male is mainly dark grey-brown with a paler belly and whitish band across the rump. The head is blackish white whiteish cheeks and forehead. Adult females are similar to the males but paler and duller. Blain Harasymiw photographed these white-cheeked starlings while leading his annual Autumn maple leaves highland photography tour in Japan.

The Japanese Rat Snake is a medium-sized snake found in Japan. It is known as “Aodisho” and is a non-venomous snake and is a member of the colubrid family. Generally, they are blue, but colors vary from pale yellow-green to dark blue-green. This is a Juvenile rat snake, and the juvenile has a pattern of brown stripes, which sometimes can be mistaken at the venomous mamushi snake. Japanese rat snakes eat a variety of small animals, rodents, frogs, and lizards, they are good climbers, and they often raid birds nests. I photographed this snake at my Ocean countryside traditional Japanese home in Niigata, Japan.

Shima Enaga is a uniquely all-white face and is a sub-species of the long-tailed bushtit. The Shima - Enaga occur mostly in Japan. But they inhabit the entire Paleatrictic realm. The long-tailed tit is sometimes referred to as the silver-throated tit or silver-throated dasher. Aegithalos (long-tailed tits) are five species birds with a tail.  Psaltriparus (North America Buishtit), monotypic. Psaltriparus (pygmy bushtit), monotypic.
The long-tailed tit is insectivorous throughout the year. The Shima Enaga feed on predominantly arthropods and prefer the eggs and astronomical huge moths and butterflies, and sometimes eat vegetable matter. Outside of the breeding season, they live in flocks from about July to February of half a dozen to two dozen composed of the family (parents and offspring) from the previous breeding season, together with extra adults that help raise the brood. The reason for the flocking behavior is believed due to winter roosting as they are susceptible to cold, and they huddle for warmth on cold nights. When the breeding season begins, the flock brakes up, and the birds attempt to breed monogamous pairs. Females tend to wander into neighboring territories, while males remain within their winter territories. I photographed this Shima Enaga while leading my annual birding and landscape photography tour Hokkaido 2020.

This mature white-tailed eagle, I photographed while leading my annual Hokkaido Photo Tour. The White-Tailed Eagle is also known as the white-tailed sea eagle, gray eagle, Eurasian sea eagle, which is one of the giant birds of prey in the family Accipitridae which includes other raptors such as hawks, kites, and harriers. The White-Tailed can be photographed all year round in Hokkaido, Japan. During harsh winters in Hokkaido, they co-exist with their bigger cousin The Steller’s Sea Eagle, and they can often be photographed in severe aerial combat or on a land fights, sometimes it's 2or 3 stellers against one white-tailed eagle,
they especially rumble when fish is on the table. These beautiful majestic raptors are known as the fourth largest eagle in the world; they are the only species known to be more massive in bulk then the Steller’s Sea Eagle, the Harpy Eagle, and the Philippine Eagle. These eagles measure from 65-95cm in length with a wingspan of 170cm to 260cm or about 5ft 5 to 8ft 5 inches. It is said this raptor has the largest wingspan of any living eagle. The male and female are similar in coloring and appearance, the accurate way to tell them apart is by tarsus width and depth and bill depth, but this is next to impossible unless they are captive or captured then released with tracking devices on their legs. I usually tell them apart by their size in which females are generally about 30% heavier and about 15% greater in linear dimensions.
The adult white-tailed eagle is greyish mid-brown colored overall. The plumage is relatively uniform over most of the body and the wings, but the wing coverts are generally paler; the rest of their plumage is usually softer looking from the head, neck, and upper breast is often a desert dawn hue. But colors of the white-tailed eagle can easily range from bright, vibrant, beautiful colors to washed out and spotted. Their bill is massive and can be vibrant orange to dull in color, and it is razor-sharp to rip apart their prey in a hurry, and they are an aggressive bird. And when fishing is terrible, they have been known to prey on rodents, young deer even family pets, young children in Hokkaido are closely watched when outside in areas the birds are plentiful from my over 25 years experience in Japan from Nemuero to Rausu Hokkaido. Once in Hokkaido, during an annual birding festival just outside of Nemuro, myself and other photographers photographed a videographer being attacked, the bird was lifting him up by his shoulders with its talons lodged firmly into his skin, muscle and bone; he spent three days in the hospital, his wounds took months to heal.  The males call is Kyi-Kyi-Kyi-Kli-Kliek-Yak with the head thrown back, and the last call normally ends with a lower Ko-Ko-Ko, the female has a similar call but deeper.
I photographed this White Tailed Sea Eagle in February 2019; we were in Zodiac boats, off the pacific coastline of Rausu Japan.
Namaste, Blain in Japan. 

The tufted duck (Aythya Fuligula) is a smaller diving duck with hundreds of thousands found in Japan, and there over a million found across Eurasia. The adult male is all black except for its white flanks, and their blue-grey bill. An easy field marking for them is their long tuft feathers from the crown of the head, which is rather cool looking similar to a ponytail and, they have bright yellow eyes. The adult female is brown with paler flanks and easily confused with other ducks. The male tufted are mostly silent but call during courtship with a simple “wit-oo,” the female has a harsh call almost a growl “Karr” and mostly in flight. I Blain in Japan photographed this duck while leading a spring Hokkaido photo tour, the tufted duck is common on Hokkaido’s east coastline with the regions many lakes and marshlands, the duck's favorite food is freshwater mussels, and they are abundant in Hokkaido’s East coastline lakes and many marshes.

The Red-Breasted Merganser is in my top favorite birds of all time. This Sawbill is a sea duck and is the fastest of all ducks; it has been recorded at flying at speeds of160KM/h. The birds are 51–62 cm (20–24 in) long with a 70–86 cm (28–34 in) wingspan. It has a spiky crest and long thin red bill with serrated edges. The male has a dark head with a green sheen, a white neck with a rusty breast, a black back, and white underparts. Adult females have a rusty head and a greyish body. The juvenile is like the female, but lacks the white-collar and has a smaller white wing patch. Their female call is a rasping prrak prrak, while the male gives a feeble hiccup-and-sneeze display call. I photographed this one while leading my annual Hokkaido photo tour; I used the Nikon D850 camera, my lens the Nikon 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR.

The Dusky Thrush (Turns euonymus) is a remember of the thrush family and is closely related to the more southerly breeding Naumann’s thrush both of them have been often regarded as conspecific. They are between double and triple the size of the common tree sparrow. The Dusky Thrush breeds in eastern Siberia to Kamchatka and winters over in Hokkaido, Japan, and some other parts of Asia. I photographed this Dusky Thrush while leading my annual Validates Day Hokkaido Photography Tour.