Brown Fish Owl

This species is an all-year resident throughout most tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent to Southeast Asia and adjoining regions. West of its main range, it is patchily distributed to the Levant (possibly extinct) and southern Asia Minor (recently rediscovered).

This species is very nocturnal but it can often be located by the small birds that mob it while it is roosting in a tree. However, in some areas it may be semi-diurnal and has been seen hunting during daytime, especially in cloudy weather. Brown fish owl primarily hunt by stationing itself on a rock overhang or hanging perch over water, or by wading into shallow waters. It grabs food by gliding over the water, nearly skimming it with its feet and grabbing its prey by quickly extending its long legs.

The typical habitat of brown fish owls is forest and woodland bordering streams, lakes or rice fields.

It feeds mainly on fishes, frogs and aquatic crustaceans.

Usually nests are large natural holes, in hollows or at the base of large branches. The clutch is two or occasionally just one egg.