There is provided a hetero junction field effect transistor including: a first layer of a nitride based, group III-V compound semiconductor; a second layer of a nitride based, group III-V compound semiconductor containing a rare earth element, overlying the first layer; a pair of third layers of a nitride based, group III-V compound semiconductor, overlying the second layer, the third layers being spaced from each other; a gate electrode disposed between the third layers at least a region of the second layer; and a source electrode overlying one of the third layers and a drain electrode overlying an other of the third layers. A method of fabricating the hetero junction field effect transistor is also provided.