Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ken_san/ / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Japanese Night Heron
Gorsachius goisagi
Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 527 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
- Genus Gorsachius
- Species goisagi
Where it lives
Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu (central, southern Japan), Jeju (off southern Korean Pen.) and Taiwan
Quick facts
- Weight
- 527 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Japanese Night Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Japanese Night Heron is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) belongs to the Ardeidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu (c, s Japan), Jeju (off s Korean Pen.) and Taiwan.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 527 g, with a wing length of about 25.7 cm and a tail of around 9.3 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 158,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Japanese Night Heron?
The Japanese Night Heron is a large bird that weighs around 527 g.
Where does the Japanese Night Heron live?
The Japanese Night Heron is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu (c, s Japan), Jeju (off s Korean Pen.) and Taiwan, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Japanese Night Heron belong to?
The Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Japanese Night Heron eat?
The Japanese Night Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Japanese Night Heron migrate?
The Japanese Night Heron is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Japanese Night Heron endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Japanese Night Heron make?
1 real field recording of the Japanese Night Heron — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Japanese Night Heron's range?
The Japanese Night Heron has a mapped global range of about 158,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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