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.
- Bird List Revision for March 2019 (Revisions)
- First checklist revision for year 2017 (Revisions)
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Barn Owl)
References:
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Eastern Barn Owl. Retrieved on June 2, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/eastern-barn-owl.