Blakiston's Fish-Owl
Ketupa blakistoni
EndangeredAves · Strigiformes · Strigidae
About
Blakiston's fish owl, the largest living species of owl, is a fish owl, a sub-group of eagle-owls that specialize in hunting in riparian areas. It is native to China, Japan, and the Russian Far East. This species is a part of the family known as typical owls (Strigidae), which contains most species of owl. Blakiston's fish owl and three other piscivorous owls are placed with some eagle-owls in the genus Ketupa. Its habitat is riparian forest with large, old trees for nest sites near lakes, rivers, springs, and shoals that do not freeze in winter. Henry Seebohm named this bird after the English naturalist Thomas Blakiston, who collected the original specimen in Hakodate on Hokkaidō, Japan in 1883.
Fun Fact
Blakiston's fish owl (Ketupa blakistoni), the largest living species of owl, is a fish owl, a sub-group of eagle-owls that specialize in hunting in riparian areas.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Occurs in dense, minimally or undisturbed old-growth forest near waterways including floodplains or wooded coastlines.
Diet
Feeds on a variety of aquatic prey.
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Loss
- Human Disturbance