Oriental Bay Owl
NameOriental Bay Owl
Common NameOriental Bay Owl
Scientific NamePhodilus badius
FamilyPhodilidae
Wingspan (cm)65
Length (cm)31.5
Weight (g)275
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is predominantly rufous-brown to chestnut, heavily spotted with small white or buff dots on the upperparts. The underparts are paler, buffy-white with fine dark spots. It has a distinctive pale buff to whitish heart-shaped facial disc, bordered by a darker rufous band, and large, dark eyes.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations typically consist of a series of soft, mournful hoots or whistles, often described as a 'wup-wup-wup' or a drawn-out 'wheeeoo'.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across Southeast Asia, including northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Bali).
Identifying FeaturesHeart-shaped facial disc, Large, dark eyes, Rufous-brown plumage with white spots, No ear tufts, Nocturnal
Description
The Oriental Bay Owl is a nocturnal, medium-sized owl characterized by its distinctive heart-shaped facial disc and cryptic rufous-brown plumage. It typically perches motionless in dense forest undergrowth during the day, becoming active at night to hunt.
