A Small Change, A More Magical Experience [Starting 1 May 2026]
We're making a few gentle changes to how you'll experience our tours - designed to feel even more natural and enjoyable for both you and the elephants. Full Information → ×
You are here: / / / BUFFY FISH OWL
Buffy Fish Owl
Length:Body: 38-48 cm.
Wing: 29-40 cm.
Tail: 16-18 cm.
Weight:1-2.1 kg.

BUFFY FISH OWL

KETUPA KETUPU

Description:

The Buffy fish owl, also known as the Malay fish owl, is a fairly large owl but is the smallest of the four species of fish owl which are in Strigidae Family. They have yellow eyes and have long eyebrows. Feathers are tawny and their wings as well as tail are yellowish and dark brown. The wings are distinctly rounded in shape when they are seen in flight. The under parts are a yellow-brown, buff or fulvous colour with broad blackish stripes. Their legs are long and so are their nails; long, curved and sharp. The Buffy fish owls call is a pronounced kutook, pof-pof-pof and hie-e-e-e-e-keek. They are listed as Least Concern by IUCN but they are protected in Thailand according to the Wildlife Preservation and Protection act b.e.1992

Did you know...?

…that they mainly live in lowlands but can be found at elevations up to 1,600 m.?

Diet:
The Buffy fish owl as with most owls is nocturnal. They hunt mainly from the land but also over water, swooping down much in the manner of a fish eagle. They feed on small animals such as fish, crayfish, frogs, crabs, bats, other kinds of bird and almost every kind of reptile. Rats, mice and large insects are also occasionally taken.

Habitat:
The Buffy fish owl‘s natural habitat is wet tropical forests and other woody areas near water. This includes wooded banks of rivers, lakes, fish ponds and rich paddies. They can survive well close to human habitation but can also be found in desolate mangrove forests. They are found from Southern Burma and central India to the south and east to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, peninsular Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, the Riau Archipelago, Sumatra Brunei, Cocos Island, Indonesia down to Java, Bali and Borneo.

Reproduction
The Buffy fish owl is rather noisy before breeding because they will call to find others for several minutes. Usually one, but sometimes two eggs are laid which hatch in 28-29 days. Generally, only one owlet will survive and will fledge after 6 weeks.

THE OLIVE-BACKED SUNBIRDTHE OLIVE BACKED SUNBIRDJUNGLE & LAKE CAMP SAFARI – 4 Days & 3 NightsJungle Lake Safari – 4 Days