White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

OTHER NAMES: White-Tailed Sea Eagle, Erne

Latin Etymology: Haliaeetus ("Sea Eagle") albicilla ("white tail")

Adult White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) from Akan Crane Centre, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 3-7kg  /  Length: 70-90cm  /  Wingspan: 1.78-2.45m

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest of all raptors found in the UK, I must admit somewhat cheating and finally caught up with this species on the other side of the world in Hokkaido.  This was however, not my first attempt to see this species - several years ago I spend a day walking round a field near Basingstoke of all places looking for a vagrant bird that had been staying there for a while (just my luck, after being there for a while I arrived the day it left).  In Britain this species went extinct early in the 20th Century and was only restored later by a reintroduction program in 1975 on the Isle of Rum in Scotland and has subsequently expanded its range.  Seeing it in Hokkaido as an affix to a trip to Tokyo is actually probably easier and cheaper than seeing them as a trip in the UK - I saw these eagles on over half the days we were in Hokkaido, though unfortunately the closest views of down to 10m were through dusty windows on a moving train in the mist - hardly ideal for photographs!

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Haliaeetus
Subspecies: None - Monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - オジロワシ  /  O-jiro washi  ("White-tailed Eagle")  ///   Ainu - Onneu ("Old and Large One")

Locally fairly common resident to Hokkaido.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Seen from various locations including Akan Crane Centre, Akkeshi and Kushiro Airport in early December.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  .

Black Scoter (Melanitta americana)

OTHER NAMES: American Scoter

Latin Etymology: Melanitta ("black duck") americana ("American")

Thee adult male Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) at Shiranuka Harbour, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 980-1100g  /  Length: 49cm  /  Wingspan: 71cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

The Black Scoter was until recently considered as part of the Common Scoter, but has subsequently been split off into a full species.  The Black and Common are apparently differentiated primarily by their distinct vocalisations.  I first got brief views of this species from the train between Kushiro and Akkeshi but was unable to photograph it due to the movement of the train, but later found a small flock at the mouth of Shiranuka harbour.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Melanitta
Subspecies: None - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - クロガモ /  Kuro-gamo ("Black Wildduck")

Locally common Winter migrant in harbours on Hokkaido

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: One seen on the sea at Akkeshi, a small flock in the harbour at Shiranuka

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Larus ("gull") glaucescens ("blueish-grey")

Adult Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) with Four Slaty-backed Gull at Akkeshi, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 750-1600g  /  Length: 50-68cm  /  Wingspan: 120-150cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Glaucous-winged Gull is another Herring-Gull sized species, in this instance the clear defining feature is that it's wing-tip feathers are patterned with grey rather than with black (as in Herring, Vega, Lesser Black Backed etc) or being pure white (as in Glaucous Gulls and Iceland Gulls).   It is another North Pacific species, breeding from the Bering Sea to Oregon, but spreading as far as Mexico and Japan to Winter.  It didn't seem especially numerous on my visit, while I don't claim to have closely examined all the large gulls I saw (of which there were many) it was definitely Slaty-backed which dominated in Hokkaido.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ワシカモメ  /  Washi kamome  ("Eagle gull")

Widespread Winter Migrant to Northern Japan

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Single adult seen at Akkeshi associating with the more common Slaty-backed Gulls

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Pelagic Cormorant (Urile pelagicus)

OTHER NAMES: Baird's Cormorant, Violet-green Cormorant

Latin Etymology: Urile (Russian name for Red-faced cormorant) pelagicus ("marine/pelagic")

                             Winter plumage Pelagic Cormorant (subspecies P. p. pelagicus) at Shiranuka, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Urile pelagicus pelagicus

Weight: 1.4-2.4kg  /  Length: 64-89cm  /  Wingspan: 100cm

ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Pelagic Cormorant is a fairly small cormorant found around the rim of the Northern Pacific, from Southern Japan to Mexico. I saw this species twice, both times in Hokkaido.  Despite the name, both of the individuals I saw were close in to shore, the former close out on the sea, and this second individual that the picture above shows one that was feeding inside Shiranuka harbour itself.

Related Species:
Order: Suliformes
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Genus: Urile
Subspecies: U. p. pelagicus, U. p. resplendens

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ヒメウ  /  Hime-u ("Princess Cormorant")

Widespread Coastal Resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Seen at Shiranuka (1 Winter plumage adult, on the sea) and Akkeshi (1 Winter Plumage adult, on the sea)

UNITED STATES 
Found along the Pacific Coast
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Francisco and on Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Larus ("gull") schistisagus ("slate cloak")

Adult Winter Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Spain - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 1-1.7kg  /  Length: 55-68.5cm  /  Wingspan: 132-160cm

ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Slaty-backed Gull is a fairly standard sort of Larus gull visually - pink legs like a Herring Gull and a dark back like a Lesser Black-backed.  What I found fairly striking about the individuals that I got a close look at was how the darkened area around the eye and the fairly stocky build gave it a slight air of aggression that I'd normally associate with something like a Glaucous gull.  When it sits on a post above you, eyeing you up there is a bit of a hint of it trying to decide whether to try and eat you.  I found Slaty-backed Gulls abundant in Hokkaido, replacing the Vega Gulls which had been the most common species in Tokyo.  There was actually within the period I've been making this blog a Slaty-backed visitor to Britain, including visiting the landfill adjacent to Rainham which is a site I've frequented before.  However, given the quality of this view of this species in Japan, I'm glad I didn't bother then.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - オオセグロカモメ  /  ō se-guro kamome  ('large black-backed gull')  

Common Winter Migrant to Hokkaido and Northern Japan

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Abundant on Hokkaido Coast, dozens seen at each of Akkeshi, Kushiro and Shiranuka

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Vega Gull (Larus vegae)

OTHER NAMES: East Siberian Gull, East Siberian Herring Gull

Latin Etymology: Larus ("gull") vegae (after Swedish exploration vessel "Vega")

Two adult Vega Gull (Larus vegae) on the roof of Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan - November 2014

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1-1.5kg  /  Length: 55-67cm  /  Wingspan: 125-155cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Vega Gull is the East Asian equivalent of the Herring Gull, and was until fairly recently considered to be a subspecies of that group.  Unlike the Herring Gull in the UK however, in Japan it is primarily a Winter visitor.  However, it seems to generally be more closely tied to water at this point, generally being found along rivers and coasts.   In the north of the country it seems to be displaced as the most common large gull species by the Slaty Backed Gull.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Subspecies: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - 背グローかもめ  /  Seguro-kamome ("Black-backed Gull")

Widespread Winter Migrant

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Small numbers seen at Kamakura and Tsukiji Fish Market

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Brown-Eared Bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Hypsipetes ("high flyer") amaurotis ("brown eared")

Adult Brown-eared Bulbul (subspecies H. a. amaurotis) in Tokyo, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Hypsipetes amaurotis amaurotis
Weight: 30-35g  /  Length: 28cm  /  Wingspan: ?
ABSENT FROM UK  / IUCN Red List Least Concern

The Brown-eared Bulbul is a common but fairly shy species in Japan, while widespread it seems to be heard a lot more than you like to get good views of it, on my first trip to Japan, most of the time I saw them only distantly or heard them in the treetops.  On my second visit they were much more abundant however, and proved to be one of those species that often looked as if they would be something else, but then resulted in frustration when it turned out to be yet another Bulbul. They are thrush sized and fairly raucous, making a lot of loud noise wherever they go.  Apparently they are fairly omnivorous, eating fruits, seeds, insects and whatever else they can get hold of.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Hypsipetes or Microscelis
Subspecies: H. a. hensoni, H. a. amaurotis, H. a .squamiceps, H. a .magnirostris, H. a .borodinosis, H. a. ogawae, H. a. pryeri, H. a. insignis, H. a. stejnegeri, H. a. harterti, H. a. batanensis, H. a. fugensis, H. a. camiguinensis

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ヒヨドリ  /  Hiyo-dori  ("Bulbul")

Abundant resident. 

 - KYOTO 2013 TRIP: Seen often throughout Kyoto and Arashiyama thought never with good views.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Abundant in Tokyo and common in Hokkaido including Akkeshi, Kushiro and Akan Crane Centre

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Large Billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

OTHER NAMES: Jungle Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") macrorhynchos ("great billed")

Adult Large Billed Crow (subspecies C. m. japonensis) at Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, Kyoto, Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis
Weight: 500-700g  /  Length: 46-59cm  /  Wingspan: 104cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Large-Billed Crow found in Japan is sometimes split into a separate species (Corvus japonensis) but as I can currently find fairly minimal support for this, I'm changing this article to reflect the original setup. - either way it is one of the common crows of Japan, being found in a broad range of habitats, both urban and rural much as the Carrion Crow does in Europe, although it also co-exists with that species.  It is pretty much the most easy species to come across in Japan of all birds short of the Feral Pigeon and Tree Sparrow.  Personally, I really like the sound these birds - it is a lot less harsh than that of Carrion Crows and echoes in a pleasing way, although in Japan they are regarded as a nuisance.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. m. intermedius, C. m. tibetosinensis, C. m. mandshuricus, C. m. japonensis, C. m. connectens, C. m. osai, C. m. levaillantii, C. m. culminatus, C. m. colonorum, C. m. macrorhynchos, C. m. philippinus

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ハシブトガラス  /  Hasgi-buto-garasu ("Thick-billed Crow")

Abundant throughout Japan.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Common throughout Kyoto, Osaka and Arashiyama

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Very common throughout Tokyo, Kushiro, Kamakura, Akkeshi and Shiranuka.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Cygnus ("swan") cygnus ("swan")

Adult Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) in Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 8-11kg  /  Length: 1.4-1.6m  /  Wingspan: 2-2.8cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Whooper Swans are a large migratory swans that spend the Summer in Iceland and overwinter in the UK.  They are differentiated from Mute Swans by the yellow beak and from Bewick's swans by the larger size and the fact that the yellow on their beak is wedge shaped rather than rounded.  The wintering grounds are generally either in the North of the country, or in the general area of large estuaries such as the Wash and the Severn.  In the areas they frequent they can be seen grazing on fields in their family groups.  In Hokkaido, they are an abundant Winter visitor to wetlands and lakes, and can be seen easily even right next to towns. They are an important figure in Ainu mythology, regarded as a major divine spirit in the world.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding species (9-15 pairs) and locally numerous Winter migrant (15,000 birds)

 - One flock seen at Nene Washes in November 2012

JAPAN - Japanese - オオハクチョウ  / Oo-hakuchou ("Large Whitebird")  ///   Ainu: Pepap chikap ("Water-ladle birds") 

Locally abundant Winter migrant in Northern Japan.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Abundant in Akkeshi and a number seen at Akan Crane Centre 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Larus ("gull") hyperboreus ("Northern")

Top: Adult Glaucous Gull (subspecies L. h. pallidissimus) at Akkeshi, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014

Bottom: First Winter Glaucous Gull (subspecies L. h. leucretes) at Ditchford Gravel Pits, Northamptonshire - December 2011

Featured Subspecies Larus hyperboreus pallidissimus & Larus hyperboreus leucretes
Weight: 860-2700g  /  Length: 55-77cm  /  Wingspan: 132-170cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The glaucous gull is a huge gull, being the only UK species to rival the Great Black Backed for size.   It, along with the iceland gull aren't resident, but turn up in small numbers each winter across the country, often mixed in with flocks of other gulls.  It is possibly most often the first and second years which turn up, and the key identification features, along with the huge size, are the uniform "milky tea" colouration without any black on the wingtips.  Due to their scarcity, you will probably require a fair bit of luck to find one of your own, so, like me, it's probably best to follow reports (and even then there might well be a substantial bit of searching through more common gulls involved...)

In Hokkaido the species is more common, though still not the dominant large gull, and also more used to humans.  The pallidisimus bird pictured above was sitting on the road by the coast next to a carpark, and allowed me to approach it to some extent.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Subspecies: L. h. hyperboreus, L. h. pallidisimus, L. h. leucretes, L. h. barriovianus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare Winter migrant (under 200 birds)

 - A First Winter bird at Ditchford Gravel Pits in December 2011.

JAPAN - Japanese - シロカモメ / Shiro-kamome ("White Gull")

 Locally common Winter migrant to Hokkaido and Northern Honshu .

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: An adult seen at close range in Central Akkeshi.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)

OTHER NAMES: Red-breasted Goosander, Red-breasted Sheldrake, Garbill, Sea Robin
Latin Etymology: Mergus (unidentified bird named by Pliny) serrator ("saw")

Adult male Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) at East Wemyss, Fife -  January 2026

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 780-1350g  /  Length: 52-58cm  /  Wingspan: 70-86cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Red-breasted mergansers are the rarer species of "sawbill" found in the United Kingdom - they are far less numerous and more localised Goosanders - found more in the North and West of the country. They also Winter around the coast in other parts of the country. Smaller than Goosanders, the defining feature is the red neck of the name when comparing it against Goosanders.  I first came across this species while intentionally looking for them in the lake district, but have subsequently had the odd distance view along the Kent coast.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Mergus
Subspecies: none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and local breeding species (2,400 pairs) and uncommon Wintering species (9000 birds)

 - A small flock seen on Derwent Water in April 2011.  Also on the sea off North Kent and Fife in the Winter.

JAPAN - Japanese - ウミアイサ / Umi-aisa  ("Sea merganser"/"Sea Autumn-Sand")

A Winter migrant

  - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Seen on the sea in Akkeshi.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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