great cormorant
A large cormorant species (Phalacrocorax carbo) found in rivers and coasts across Japan.
A great cormorant is catching fish in the river.
Katakana spelling is common for this bird name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling using 川 (river) and 鵜 (cormorant); rarely used.
Alternate kanji spelling using 河 (river); rarely used.
Compound of 川 (kawa, 'river') and 鵜 (u, 'cormorant'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the name reflects its habitat.