What Are Fishing Owls?

Fishing owls are almost as large as eagle owls, measuring over 60 cm in length. They have short wings to allow them to fly easily between trees, even when the forest or woodland is quite dense. They usually hunt from clearings or from river banks within their territory.

They are termed fishing owls because they eat mainly fish. They do also take other prey such as small rodents, amphibians, reptiles and crabs. Some species fish by day but they are still very shy birds. This, in combination with the fact that they usually live in dense forests has made it difficult for humans to study the owl at close quarters.

The brown fish owl lives near forested streams and lakes from the Middle East to southern China, Sri Lanka and South east Asia. Its wing feathers lack the structure and arrangement that make their flight noiseless – they seem to have lost this ability because it is not necessary.