Scientific Name: Ketupa zeylonensis Common Name: Brown Fish Owl
Identifying Features: prominent ear tufts, brown upperparts that are heavily streaked with black or dark brown, throat is white, dark bill, golden yellow eyes.
Fun Facts:
- Nocturnal but can often be located by the small birds that mob it while roosting in a tree.
- Brown fish owls frequently nest in shady spots such as old-growth mango trees, fig trees, and other large trees in lowland forests.
- In some parts of India, during the festival of Diwali, thousands of owls are killed – though programs to counter this practice are underway – including this species due to superstitious beliefs about the evil nature of owls and as an attempt to gain the power of black magic
This image was clicked by praveen pandian – via Flickr.
Where have you seen this bird? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share a photo of this bird clicked by you by sending it to birdwatcher@delhigreens.org
