Scientific Name: Asio flammeus
Malay Name: Hantu-Telinga Pendek Biasa
Chinese Name: 短耳鸮
Range:
Found throughout the Holarctic with some northern populations winter south to Central America, northern Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, southern China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia
Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: flammeus, cubensis, domingensis, portoricensis, bogotensis, galapagoensis, pallidicaudus, suinda, sanfordi, sandwichensis, ponapensis
Local Subspecies: flammeus
Size: 37-39 cm
Identification: In Singapore, adult may only be confused with Buffy Fish Owl but has pale greyish-white facial disc with conspicuous white eyebrows, dark circles around yellow eyes creating a “black-eye” effect, broader and denser breast streaks and no obvious ear-tuffs.
Similar looking species: Buffy Fish Owl
Habitat: Grassland, marshes and open areas.
Behaviour/Ecology: Only flies in daylight.
Local Status: Very rare migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Location: There were only 3 confirmed recent records: Changi South (January 1988), Marina East (January 1988) and Changi Reclaimed Land (March 2006).
Photos:
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
Reference:
Craig Robson (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia
Allen Jeyarajasingam & Alan Pearson (2012) A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore
Lim Kim Seng (2009) The Avifauna of Singapore