Page 60 - Animals of the Sakhalin Region in myths and legends

Blakiston’s fish owl

(Ketupa blakistoni)

One of the largest owls in the world and the largest representative of its kind.
The body length is about 70 cm, the wingspan is 180–190 cm. The female fish owl
is much larger than the male, her weight sometimes reaches 4 kg. Has a dense,
slightly massive build. Wide feather «ears» are clearly visible on the head. The
wings are long, the tail is slightly rounded. The color is monophonic, brownish,
with dark longitudinal spots all over the body, on the throat there is a white spot.
White spots are sometimes also found on the crown and back of the head. The
tarsus is feathered, the toes are bare. On the plantar surface of the toes there are
small spines that help to hold the prey.
Basically, the eagle owl feeds on salmon fish that go for spawning. Also eats
crayfish, muskrats, minks, amphibians, small rodents, waterfowl.
The general distribution is Manchuria, northern Korea, the island of Hokkaido
(Japan). In Russia, it lives in the Far East (from Magadan to Priamurye and
Primorye, on Sakhalin and the Southern Kuriles). Lives in forests along river
banks, and in winter gathers near non-freezing sections of rivers.

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