By  Gurpreet Singh |November 27, 2025

Blakiston’s Fish Owl: The Largest Owl in the World

Blakiston’s Fish Owl

Blakiston’s Fish Owl is known for its huge size, impressive wingspan and powerful hunting abilities in rivers.

Image: Canva

Size & Wingspan

These owls can grow over 70 cm tall, with a wingspan stretching up to 2 meters wide.

Image: Canva

Appearance

Blakiston’s Fish Owl has mottled brown feathers, ear tufts and bright yellow eyes for night vision hunting.

Image: Canva

Habitat

They live mainly near rivers, streams and forests in Russia, Japan and northern China, preferring dense old forests.

Image: Canva

Hunting Skills

These owls hunt mainly fish, but they also catch small mammals, birds and amphibians near water bodies.

Image: Canva

Night Hunter

Blakiston’s Fish Owl is nocturnal, using its incredible hearing and vision to locate prey in darkness.

Image: Guinness book of Records

Unique Adaptations

They have strong talons, excellent hearing and silent flight, making them perfect predators in riverine forest environments.

Image: Canva

Conservation Status

Blakiston’s Fish Owl is endangered due to habitat loss, logging and disturbances along rivers and forests.

Image: Canva

Population Numbers

Fewer than 1,500 individuals remain in the wild, making every sighting extremely rare and valuable for conservation.

Image: Canva

Importance in Ecosystem

As top predators, they help balance river and forest ecosystems by controlling fish and small animal populations.

Image: Canva

Next: 10 Fascinating Bird Species Found in Asia
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