Scientific Name: Ketupa ketupu
Malay Name: Tumbuk-Ketampi Biasa
Chinese Name: 马来渔鸮
Range: Southeast Asia to Java and Borneo
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: ketupu, pageli, minor.
Local Subspecies: ketupu
Size: 45.5-47 cm
Identification: A medium-sized owl with buff facial disc, striking white eyebrows and yellow eyes. Distinct ear tufts. Upperparts are buff based, streaked with darker feathers and have pale rufous edges. Underparts have a buff background with thin, dark streaks. Legs are unfeathered and vary from grey to blackish.
Similar looking species: Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl
Habitat: Most areas in close proximity to waterways including coastal areas. Can be found in urban canals with large fish.
Behaviour/Ecology: Normally solitary. Most active at dawn and dusk where it can be seen next to waterbodies where it fishes.
Local Status: Uncommon resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Location: Any site with suitable habitat. Recorded in Sungei Buloh, Upper Seletar Reservoir Park, Ulu Pandan Park Connector, Pasir Ris Mangroves
- “How to start birding in Singapore?”. An article by Eldon Ng. (Birding Starter Pack)
- Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)
- 5 owl calls to know before your next night walk (Birding Starter Pack)
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Buffy Fish-Owl)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Ketupa ketupu. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22689024A93214791.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Buffy Fish Owl. Retrieved on May 7, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/buffy-fish-owl.