Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Ninox scutulata
Family: Owls · Status: Uncommon resident · Size: 30–31 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Resident across eastern Asia from the Indian subcontinent through the the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo; non-breeding range extends to Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas.
Has an overall dark brown coloration, large yellow eyes, small white patch above the bill, and whitish underparts with brown heart-shaped blotches. Separated from Northern Boobook by rounder, heart-shaped blotches on the underparts compared to the more teardrop-shaped blotches in Northern. When in hand, Northern Boobook has a longer wing-to-tail ratio. Calls are diagnostic.
Forested areas. It is rarely encountered out of the central forests in Singapore.
Forages at dusk and nocturnally, hunting from a perch and pouncing on prey along forest edges. Pairs often duet.