Sado Wildlife in Focus | Crested Ibis Feeding Frenzy Marks the Start of Winter
Fumie Oyama, Photojournalist 
The vivid contrast between the red amaryllis and the crested ibis' feathers feels like a poignant goodbye to autumn. (©Fumie Oyama)
As winter approaches, the cold deepens on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. Despite the chill, the island experiences little snowfall due to the strong winds from the Sea of Japan. Through my camera lens, I observed the Japanese crested ibis displaying its voracious appetite as it adapted to the harsh winter. Having previously written about herons and black kites for this column, I now continue to focus on the crested ibis, a subject that has become a lifelong passion.
Struggling to Swallow?
After the rice harvest, Sado Island's muddy fields become a treasure trove of food for the crested ibis. These birds often probe the mud with their beaks, swallowing their finds. During one photography session, I saw an ibis vigorously shaking its neck, trying to swallow or regurgitate something.
According to Japan's environment ministry, a crested ibis requires about 230 kcal of energy daily, roughly equivalent to around 50 loaches.
With an estimated 530 crested ibises inhabiting Sado Island, they would consume about 26,500 loaches per day if their diet consisted solely of them. In reality, their diet is more varied. It includes frogs, freshwater crabs, earthworms, grasshoppers, and other insects. This variety highlights the importance of a rich natural environment teeming with small wildlife for their survival.
Continue reading the full story on Japan 2 Earth to learn more about the behavior of the crested ibis as winter approaches.
Read more Sado Wildlife in Focus photo essays by photojournalist Fumie Oyama. And find more great articles on the environment and the SDGs on our affiliated website Japan 2 Earth (J2E).
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(Read the essay in Japanese)
Author: Fumie Oyama, Photojournalist
