Brown Fish Owl

Ketupa zeylonensis

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Aves · Strigiformes · Strigidae

About

The brown fish owl is a fish owl species in the family known as typical owls, Strigidae. It is native from Turkey to South and Southeast Asia. Due its wide distribution it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It inhabits forests and wooded wetlands. Of the four living species of fish owl, it is the most widely distributed, most common and best-studied. It occupies a range of over 7,000 km (4,300 mi).

Fun Fact

Brown fish owls sit motionless on branches above streams for hours, then plunge feet-first to grab fish — their toes lack the feathering of most owls and have rough, scaly pads for gripping slippery prey.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Forests near rivers and lakes

Diet

Piscivore

Lifespan

15-20 years

Threats

Wildfire
Habitat Fragmentation

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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