Spotted Wood Owl

Overview

The spotted wood owl (Strix seloputo) is a member of the earless owl genus, Strix, characterised by a disjunct distribution across various regions surrounding Borneo, excluding the island itself. It is a relatively common species with a wide range and a stable population, currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Length approximately 44 to 48 cm with a wing span of 30 to 36 cm.
• Chocolate brown head featuring an orangish-buff facial disc and no ear-tufts; nominate subspecies possess a yellowish throat band.
• Coffee-coloured upper parts marked with white bars and spots edged in black, while underparts are dull yellow with broad white and narrow black bars.
• Dark brown eyes and a greenish-black beak; legs and toes are well-feathered with visible olive sections.
• Call described as a rolling 'huhuhu' followed by a long 'whoo'.

Habitat

The species inhabits lowland forests, mangrove swamps, cleared woodlands, plantations, and urban parks. Its range is disjunct, occurring in South Myanmar, central Thailand, Singapore, parts of Sumatra and Java, the Calamian Islands, Palawan, and the island of Bawean, but notably absent from Borneo itself.

Diet

This owl primarily feeds on mice and rats, supplementing its diet with insects and small birds.

Did you know?

Despite its common name and distribution in Southeast Asia, the spotted wood owl has a disjunct range that excludes Borneo, where it does not occur despite being present in many surrounding regions.