Enables iron ion binding activity. Involved in innate immune response; positive regulation of cold-induced thermogenesis; and siderophore transport. Acts upstream of or within extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway in absence of ligand; response to bacterium; and response to virus. Located in extracellular space. Is expressed in several structures, including genitourinary system; gut; liver; lung; and spleen. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and urinary tract infection. Orthologous to human LCN2 (lipocalin 2). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]