Education & Conservation

Home   > Education & Conservation   > About Malay Eagle Owl (Click-Readmore)

About Malay Eagle Owl (Click-Readmore)


Malay Eagle Owl

Scientific Name: Bubo sumatranus
Malay Name: Hantu-Bertanduk Melayu
Higher classification: Bubo
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Owls
Rank: Species
Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable)

The barred eagle-owl, also called the Malay eagle-owl, is a species of eagle owl in the family Strigidae.

Description
Malay Eagle Owl is a large, striking owl with barred under parts and very long, outward slanting ear-tufts. Ear-tufts are very long, tousled, outward-slanting and are blackish-brown with the inner webs delicately barred white and brown. Adults are distinctive within their range, sporting finely barred under parts, dark gray-brown wings, while Juveniles are milky white with faint gray bars all over the body. Gives deep resonant hoots, screams, and howls.

Size
Length 40-46cm. Wing length 323-417mm. Weight 620g (1 individual). Females are slightly larger and heavier than males.

Distribution and habitat
Evergreen forest with ponds and streams, gardens with large, densely foliaged trees, groves in cultivated country, sometimes not far from habitation. Ranges from sea level to 1000m elevation, and rarely higher to about 1600m. Found in Southern Burma, Southern Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Bangka, Borneo, Java and Bali.

Habits
The Malay Eagle Owl is a nocturnal or crepuscular bird. It roosts by day singly or in pairs, hidden in a lofty tree with dense foliage, often near the trunk.

Diet

Feed on large insects, birds and small mammals and reptiles.

Breeding
This owl probably pairs for life and pairs are very loyal to nest sites, returning year after year. Nests are in large tree holes, or commonly on the top of large Bird Nest ferns. The female lays only one white oval egg (53.8-57.7mm x 42.8-44.9mm).