Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Tawny Fish Owl

Ketupa flavipes

The Tawny Fish Owl (Ketupa flavipes), a member of the Strigidae family, is a captivating bird of prey with a distinctive orangey-rufous plumage. Its crown and upperparts are adorned with broad, blackish markings, while the scapulars present a contrasting dingy yellow, forming a band across the shoulders. The flight and tail feathers are barred dark brown and buffish. This species has a poorly defined facial disc, but a noticeable off-white area on the eyebrows and forehead. The legs are feathered over two-thirds of the tarsi, with the exposed parts being greenish-yellow and the talons a greyish-horn color.

Identification Tips

The Tawny Fish Owl is characterized by large, tousled ear tufts that hang to the sides of the head and striking yellow eyes. It is similar in size to the Brown Fish Owl but is distinguishable by its heavier build, larger wings, and the unique coloration of its plumage. The tawny fish owl's legs are partially feathered, unlike the fully feathered legs of the Blakiston's Fish Owl or the bare legs of the Buffy Fish Owl.

Habitat

This species thrives in subtropical to temperate forests, requiring tracts with mountain streams. It is often found in the Himalayan foothills, from elevations of 1,500 to 2,450 meters, preferring areas with little to no disturbance.

Distribution

The Tawny Fish Owl ranges from southern Nepal to Bangladesh, and extends to Vietnam and China. Its habitat spans across the Himalayan foothills, including regions in Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Behaviour

The Tawny Fish Owl exhibits a blend of diurnal and nocturnal activity, with increased movement and foraging during twilight. It is known for its powerful and aggressive nature, often hunting by swooping down to the water to capture fish. This owl is highly solitary and territorial, with a breeding season from November to February in India.

Song & Calls

The territorial call of the Tawny Fish Owl is a deep "whoo-hoo," and it is also known to emit a cat-like "meow."

Breeding

Breeding occurs from November to February, with nests located in large holes in river banks, caves in cliffs, or the forks of large trees. Typically, two eggs are laid, although sometimes only one.

Similar Species

The Tawny Fish Owl can be confused with the Buffy Fish Owl and the Brown Fish Owl. However, it is larger and more orange-rufous in color than the Buffy Fish Owl and has a more solid brown color with distinct vermiculations below compared to the Brown Fish Owl.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet includes a variety of prey such as crabs, frogs, toads, fish, and occasionally larger animals like small mammals and birds. It hunts by swooping down to the water or actively pursuing terrestrial prey.

Conservation status

The Tawny Fish Owl is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, due to its wide geographical distribution.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Tawny Fish Owls on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
🦉
Shekhar Dhiman
25 Dec 2023 - 3:25am
India

More Owls

A photo of a Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Aegolius acadicus
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.