Ezo Ural Owl
Ezo Ural Owl: Hokkaido’s Silent Ghost of the Forest
In the dense, snow-covered forests of Hokkaido, where the only sound is the crunch of your footsteps on a frozen path, there is a bird so elusive and so quiet that you might not even realize it’s watching you. Meet the Ezo Ural owl (Strix uralensis japonica), a master of stealth and camouflage, blending seamlessly into the white-barked trees of its wintry domain. Known as Hokkaido’s “ghost of the forest,” this owl is as mysterious as it is mesmerizing, with its pale, spectral appearance and haunting, silent flight.
The Ezo Ural owl is a subspecies of the Ural owl found across Eurasia, but this particular variety is perfectly adapted to Hokkaido’s rugged, snowy landscapes. Though it is a fierce predator with excellent hunting skills, the Ezo Ural owl has an undeniable gentleness to its appearance—large, round eyes, soft feathers, and a composed, watchful presence that exudes quiet authority over its forest realm.
Diet: A Nighttime Hunter’s Feast
Like most owls, the Ezo Ural owl is a skilled nocturnal predator, hunting primarily at night when its excellent vision and silent wings give it the upper hand. This owl has a particular fondness for small mammals, with voles and mice making up the bulk of its diet. In Hokkaido’s forests, these rodents are plentiful, providing the owl with ample hunting opportunities, especially in the winter months when other prey may be harder to come by.
But Ezo Ural owls aren’t picky. They’ll also feast on birds, frogs, insects, and even the occasional fish or amphibian if the opportunity presents itself. Their hunting style is one of patience and precision: the owl perches high in a tree, listening intently for the rustle of leaves or the faint scurrying of a vole beneath the snow. Once it locks onto its prey, it swoops down in near silence, its soft, broad wings making almost no sound as it approaches its target. In a single, swift motion, the owl snatches its prey with its powerful talons, securing a meal to bring back to its nest or perch.
Habitat: The Silent Sentinel of Hokkaido’s Forests
The Ezo Ural owl calls the forests of Hokkaido home, particularly old-growth forests with large, mature trees and plenty of undergrowth to conceal its presence. These forests, rich in coniferous and deciduous trees like birch, spruce, and fir, provide the perfect environment for the owl to hunt, roost, and nest. The owl prefers areas with dense tree cover, where it can perch unnoticed during the day and emerge at night to hunt.
Tree cavities are essential for the Ezo Ural owl’s nesting and roosting habits. Unlike many other birds that build nests in open branches or cliffs, Ural owls prefer the safety and seclusion of a hollowed-out tree trunk, where they can rear their young and remain hidden from predators. The owl’s pale plumage blends perfectly with the birch trees that dominate Hokkaido’s forests, making it even more difficult to spot during the day.
Despite being such a master of disguise, the Ezo Ural owl isn’t completely restricted to remote wilderness. In fact, they’ve been known to live near rural villages or forested parks, as long as the environment remains undisturbed. However, their true magic shines in Hokkaido’s deep, untouched forests, where their ghostly presence feels perfectly at home.
Best Places to See Them: Maruyama Park and Nopporo Forest
Spotting an Ezo Ural owl in the wild requires patience, a keen eye, and a little luck, but Hokkaido has a few key locations where you stand a good chance of encountering this elusive creature. Maruyama Park, located in Sapporo, is a popular spot for owl watchers, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the owls may be seen roosting in tree hollows or quietly perched on branches. Maruyama Park’s old-growth trees offer plenty of nesting sites for the owls, making it one of the best places to spot them in the urban environment.
Another prime location is Nopporo Forest, a sprawling natural reserve near Sapporo that’s home to a healthy population of Ezo Ural owls. The forest’s dense trees and quiet trails provide the perfect habitat for these nocturnal hunters, and with a little patience, you might catch a glimpse of one resting in a tree hollow during the day or swooping through the trees at dusk.
For those staying in Furano, Daisetsuzan National Park is another excellent destination. The park’s remote forests, particularly around the lower elevations, offer prime habitat for the owls, though their elusive nature means that sightings are rare. Still, knowing that these silent hunters are out there, blending into the snowy landscape, adds an air of mystery to any hike through the park.
The Sound of Silence: A Noiseless Predator
One of the most fascinating traits of the Ezo Ural owl is its ability to fly in complete silence. Thanks to its uniquely adapted feathers, which are designed to reduce noise, this owl can glide through the air without making a sound. The leading edges of its wings have a comb-like structure that breaks up the air as it flies, while the soft, velvety texture of its feathers absorbs sound, making it nearly impossible for prey to hear the owl approaching.
This silent flight is crucial to the owl’s hunting success. Small mammals like voles and mice are notoriously skittish, darting for cover at the slightest sound. The owl’s stealthy approach allows it to get close enough to strike without alarming its prey, ensuring a higher rate of success in its nightly hunts.
In addition to its silent flight, the Ezo Ural owl has exceptional hearing, thanks to the asymmetrical placement of its ears. This design allows the owl to pinpoint the exact location of sounds, even those hidden beneath snow or foliage, making it a deadly predator during Hokkaido’s long winters.
Courtship and Breeding: A Family Affair
Ezo Ural owls are monogamous, and once they find a mate, they tend to stay together for life. Courtship usually begins in late winter, with the male calling to attract the female. The call of the Ural owl is a series of soft, rhythmic hoots—less eerie than some other owl species but no less distinctive. Once paired, the male and female work together to select a suitable nesting site, usually a large tree hollow where the female will lay her eggs.
The breeding season kicks off in early spring, with the female laying two to four eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, but it’s the female who handles most of the brooding. After about a month, the eggs hatch, and the real work begins. The parents must hunt constantly to provide enough food for their hungry chicks, who grow rapidly and are ready to leave the nest after about five weeks.
Even after fledging, the young owls stay close to their parents for several months, learning how to hunt and survive in the wild. It’s a steep learning curve—Hokkaido’s winters are unforgiving—but those who make it through their first winter stand a good chance of thriving.
Cultural Significance: The Owl as a Symbol of Wisdom
Owls have long been seen as symbols of wisdom and mystery in cultures around the world, and in Japan, the Ural owl holds a special place as a guardian of the forests. In Japanese folklore, owls are considered protectors and bringers of good fortune. Their ability to see in the dark is often associated with insight and knowledge, qualities that have made them symbols of intelligence and guidance.
In the indigenous Ainu culture of Hokkaido, owls, particularly Ural owls, are considered sacred animals. Known as “kotan kor kamuy”, or “the god who protects the village,” the owl was believed to watch over the people and offer protection from misfortune. This reverence for owls has carried over into modern Hokkaido, where they remain symbols of the island’s untamed wilderness and the balance between nature and humanity.
Conservation: Protecting the Ghost of the Forest
While the Ezo Ural owl is not currently endangered, it faces challenges from habitat loss due to deforestation and urban expansion. The old-growth trees that the owls rely on for nesting are disappearing in some areas, making it harder for them to find suitable nesting sites.
Fortunately, conservation efforts in Hokkaido are working to protect the forests that these owls depend on. The establishment of national parks and protected areas, such as Daisetsuzan and Shiretoko, has helped preserve large tracts of forest, ensuring that the owls have a place to thrive. Local conservation groups also monitor owl populations and work to educate the public about the importance of maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.
Final Thoughts: The Enigmatic Ezo Ural Owl
To encounter an Ezo Ural owl in the wild is to experience one of Hokkaido’s most enigmatic creatures. Whether you spot one perched silently in a birch tree, its pale feathers blending perfectly with the bark, or hear its soft hoot echoing through the forest at dusk, the Ezo Ural owl is a reminder of the quiet, hidden beauty that exists in nature’s darkest corners.
If you’re planning a trip to Hokkaido and want to experience the magic of the Ezo Ural owl for yourself, pack your binoculars, head out into the forest, and keep your eyes and ears open. With a little patience and a lot of luck, you might just catch a glimpse of this ghostly sentinel of the woods, watching over the wilderness with its wise, unblinking gaze.