Could Tokyo really be an avian paradise? It might sound surprising. Yet, here we stand before the Bird House.
The Bird House offers a gateway to discover Tokyo’s unexpected bird life. It reveals a world where kingfishers dart through urban streams. Buzzards soar above parks.
Tokyo may seem like a concrete jungle. However, this megacity surprisingly offers diverse habitats. These habitats include forests, mountains, and even islands.
The Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park, a short distance from here. It is a prime example of this. This sanctuary is only 27 hectares. It has recorded over 235 bird species.
Imagine, shorebirds wading in tidal flats. Ducks paddle in freshwater ponds. Songbirds flit through woodlands. The Bird House serves as a starting point to observe such diverse species.
Centuries ago, Tokyo, then Edo, was even more welcoming to birds. Rice paddies, marshes, and riverbanks dominated the landscape. These environments attracted various bird species.
Today, the Bird House encourages us to look closer. Warbling white-eyes forage outside windows. Barn swallows nest in apartment garages.
Kingfishers are a jewel. Many birders love them. In Kasai you can observe frequently. It is the yearning of many birders.
Black-faced Spoonbill is one of endangered species. There are approximately 4500 in the world. It is very popular among birders at Kasai in winter and spring season.
Many birders come to see it. It’s easy to find Japanese White-eye. It loves flower nectar. It flies from flower to flower. It is in search of honey.
Osprey in Kasai Marine Park is probably the easiest place to observe in Tokyo Bay. It is always eating a fish on a pile of the sea.
Azure-winged Magpie lives only in part of the Iberian Peninsula of Spain and east of Japan.
Bull-headed Shrike is a small hunter. Sometimes it catches small birds.
Black-headed Gull is a symbol bird of Tokyo Metropolis. In summer, its head turns black. In winter season, it has a cute face like a picture.
Greater Skaup is a bird that can be said as a symbol of Kasai. In winter, over 20000 Skaups come from Siberia for overwintering.
Eastern Buzzard is one of the most common raptores in Kasai. It is often on the dead tree or the dead grass. At that time it is very difficult to find like ninja. The color of plumage make invisible by means of protective coloring.
Great Cormorant can be observed all through the year in Kasai. The emerald green eyes are beautiful.
Black Kite is the most familiar raptor and can be found everywhere.
Common Greenshank is a most slender species in the sandpiper family.
Common Teal is the smallest duck in Japan. Males have a vivid head pattern and are very noticeable.
Little Grebe is the smallest species in the grebe family. In Kasai, you can also observe the nest and the chicks in it in spring.
From the Bird House, consider visiting Kasai Rinkai Park. This is a reclaimed garbage dump. Now, it is a refuge for over 120 bird species.
Before leaving the Bird House, reflect on Tokyo’s dual nature. The bustling metropolis coexists with pockets of thriving wildlife. Keep an eye on the skies. You will hear the songs around. You may spot something amazing.