A family of Blackiston's Fish-Owl stay year round in the same river. Parents and chicks live together for about 10 months. We can, therefore, observe their interesting behaviors in each season at the Fish-Owl Observatory.

February　Begging of breeding season

The male and female call together for many hours to confirm their territory. In early February visitors may observe their courtship feeding. Owls mostly spend their time to patrol thier territory. The owls come up to the feeding pond only a few times in one night.

March 　Quiet Brooding

In early March, the female owl lays eggs and stay in the nest at all times until May. The male carry fishes to the nest for the female. The male owl comes up to the feeding pond only a few times in one night.

April - Juy　 Hungry Fledgling and Busy Parents

In early April, eggs hatch and the parents owls become active gradually. A couple of Fish-Owl usually rises up one chick. In early May, the female owl comes up to the feeding pond and begins to carry fishes for her chicks. Once chicks have fledge, parents become very active. Owls come up to the feeding pond 5-15 times in one night.

 

August - September　Noisy Chicks

By late July, chicks are coming up to the trees behind of observing cabin. Visitors often hear shrieks of chicks. In early September, chicks usually come up to the feeding pond. Lucky visitors may watch a feeding scene of parents and chicks. Owls are very active and come up to the feeding pond 10-20 time in one night and stay for very long time.

 

October－January　Preparation for Self-dependent

Chicks stay in the river for very long time and try to hunt fishes by themselves. The parents and chicks often come up to the feeding pond together. Owls stay around the feeding pond for many hours and eat 25-30 fishes in one night. This is the best season for observation and photography. In January the parents force chicks out from thier territory, and their activity is getting quiet.