Eastern Barn Owl

Scientific Name: Tyto javanica
Malay Name: Serak Biasa
Chinese Name: 仓鸮

Range:
Ranges from the Indian subcontinent in the west through Southeast Asia and the Indonesian archipelago up to the Solomon Islands and northern Vanuatu in the east

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: stertens, javanica, sumbaensis, meeki, delicatula, crassirostris, interposita.

Size: 34-36 cm

Identification:
A medium-sized owl with distinctive, white facial disk and pale underparts. Proportionally large head, lacking ear tufts with relatively small, heart-shaped, dark-coloured eyes. Legs notably long with only sparsely feathered feet. Female is larger than the male with typically darker plumage.

Habitat: Urban structures, including under bridges, abandoned buildings, and in natural open-country habitats

Behaviour/Ecology: Normally solitary. Presence often detected by harsh shrieking call.

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Location: Any site with suitable habitat. Recorded in Sungei Buloh, Shears Bridge and the Istana building.

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Eastern Barn Owl at Marina Barrage. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Eastern Barn Owl. Photo credit: Mohamad Zahidi

Eastern Barn Owl in Singapore. Photo credit: Francis Yap