The heart-fluttering ‘beauty’ of the Japanese ‘snow fairy’

This “snow fairy” is actually Shima Enaga – a long-tailed sparrow that lives in Hokkaido, Japan. Possessing white fur, glittering eyes and a lovely, graceful expression, Shima Enaga is nicknamed the “snow fairy of Hokkaido” by the Japanese.

This beautiful nickname comes from the behavior of Shima Enaga. Every winter, they will appear more in the forests of Hokkaido. The quiet, melancholy natural scene suddenly became more alive when this sparrow took off and flew.

The first difference from the general finches of this Shima Enaga is the weight. The body of the “snow fairy” is quite small: it weighs about 8g and is about 14cm long. This mass is only about half that of common sparrows. However, the fluffy fur and graceful tail make Shima Enaga look more beautiful.

Also, what makes Shima Enaga stand out from her Enaga breed is her face. Most of the “fairy’s” relatives have the same pattern as the eyebrows, but Shima Enaga is pure white, spotless.

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The special cuteness and cuteness of this bird became a “phenomenon” when in the 90s, Mr. Ohara (animal photographer) published a picture book documenting the life of Shima Enaga. Since then, “Hokkaido’s snow fairy” has gradually become a popular character throughout Japan. They are also inspired for comic characters, crafts, souvenirs…

When the winter is over, the Shima Enaga will become “thinner” because the snow-white plumage has decreased in thickness in the spring.

It is not difficult to admire the “fairy” when you have the opportunity to go to Hokkaido in winter. With just a keen eye, you will see them in paths, parks, and roadside plants. This is the most beautiful and lovely “muse” in Hokkaido when winter comes.