Fun Fishing Owl Facts For Kids
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Going through the studies by Del Hoyo, Collar, N., and others, we get to know that the fishing owls belong to the Strigidae bird family. These ginger-rufous, dark brown birds (of genus Ketupa) with false ear tufts are primarily found along rivers, lakes, and trees in Africa's Southern and Central ranges.
These birds have three subspecies, primarily with shared characteristics. The most common Pel's fishing owl was named after Hendrik Severinus Pel, the Dutch governor of the Gold Coast (now Ghana).
As the name suggests, these owls like to prey on a wide range of fishes and frogs.
Their flight is silent and helps them in catching the food with much ease. You can learn many more facts about them in this article.
If you enjoy our article on the fishing owl, you would surely enjoy these other articles on the northern pygmy owl and barn owl.
Fishing Owl Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a fishing owl?
Fishing owls are a sub-Saharan African bird family belonging to the Strigidae, the true owl family.
What class of animal does a fishing owl belong to?
The fishing owl, Scotopelia peli, is an owl species that belongs to the class of Aves.
How many fishing owls are there in the world?
Pel's fishing owl is known to be one of the world's largest owl species. Regardless, no census has been conducted to calculate their population.
Where does a fishing owl live?
From Nigeria through the Congo Basin and central Africa to the Zambezi River, and from Ethiopia to Southern Africa, along with vast rivers, lakes, and trees, are where the majority population of the fishing owl exists. These habitats are suitable for their breeding season, food, and building their nest.
What is a fishing owl's habitat?
Pel's fishing owl likes to live in forests and trees near rivers, lakes, or rice fields. Slow-moving rivers with large overhanging trees are ideal for roosting and foraging for fishing owls. It builds its nest in hollows and big tree forks.
Who do fishing owls live with?
This Pel's fishing owl is nocturnal in general, and it is most vocal on moonlit nights. The male and female roost together on a big tree branch during the day. Apart from this and the breeding seasons, this species prefers a solitary environment.
How long does a fishing owl live?
Due to the fact that most of the subspecies are not common, we do not know much about their age. Ages of species such as the rufous fishing owl, Pel's fishing owl, or the vermiculated fishing owl are not known as well. Some sources estimate the age of Blakiston's fishing owl to be about 16 years of age.
How do they reproduce?
During the dry season, Pel's fishing owls lay their eggs. This provides them with the advantage of deeper, clearer water, allowing them to spot fish more effectively. At the start of the breeding season, territories are claimed by hooting.
The nest is a natural cavity or hollow in an old shade tree by the river. The nest is usually near where dense branches grow from the trunk of a tree. Generally, one or two eggs are laid in a clutch.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of the species is different amongst the wide range of fishing owl subspecies. Depending on the suitability of the local climate is, the Pel's fishing owl can range from locally uncommon and erratic to very normal.
As a result, the IUCN has listed the species as being of the Least Concern. The brown fishing owl and the vermiculated fishing owl are both also of Least Concern. The rufous fishing oil, on the other hand, has the status of Vulnerable.
Fishing Owl Fun Facts
What do fishing owls look like?
Pel's fishing owls are a deep ginger-rufous color with thick black bars and scaling on the upperparts and underparts. The loose and long feathers around the head give the head a shaggy look.
The tarsi and toes are straw-colored and unfeathered. The white throat is mostly hidden, but it can puff out.
The rufous-brown upperparts are deeply streaked with black or dark brown, and the brown fish owl has conspicuous ear tufts. It also has a white throat that is prominently puffed like the Pel's fishing owl and helps to display courtship.
How cute are they?
Some people and enthusiasts do consider the Pel's fishing owl to be cute, while others feel scared by these birds.
How do they communicate?
Not much is known but generalizing the sources; The rufous or Pel's fishing owl may communicate in a variety of ways, including chirping, whistles, horn-like sound, grunt, screech, barking, and screaming. Anecdotal sources claim that this call is a deep, quiet, horn-like 'ooom,' with a series of grunts in between.
How big is a fishing owl?
The Pel's fishing owl height averages somewhere around 20-24 in (50.8-61 cm). The fishing owl is about three times smaller than the great gray owl.
How fast can a fishing owl fly?
Generalizing, the fishing owl would fly somewhere between 30-40 mph (48.2-64.3 kph).
How much does a fishing owl weigh?
The Pel's fishing owl weighs between 4.4-5 lb (2-2.2 kg).
What are the male and female names of the species?
There is no such specific name for the male and female of the fish owl species.
What would you call a baby fishing owl?
The baby fish owl can be referred to as a fish owlet.
What do they eat?
Fish owls, as their name implies, eat mostly fish. However, Pel's fishing owl is not a fussy eater. They will, on rare occasions, eat other marine species such as snakes, crabs, frogs, mussels, and huge insects as well. These birds have a very silent flight and are great hunters.
Are they dangerous?
Yes, these birds can be very dangerous. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the fish owl targets humans to protect their young, family, or territories. Joggers and climbers have reported attacks in huge numbers. Victims in fish owl attacks often survive without injuries, and these seldom result in death.
Would they make a good pet?
No, the Pel's fishing owl does not make a great pet bird.
Did you know...
The Pel's fishing owl uses any ripples produced as fish come to the surface to identify prey.
When startled, Pel's fishing owl fluffs up its head feathers, making its head look enormous.
Types of fishing owls
Scotopia or the fishing owl group primarily consists of the following subspecies: vermiculated fishing owl (Scotopelia bouvieri), Pel's fishing owl (Scotopelia peli), and rufous fishing owl (Scotopelia ussheri).
How do owls catch fish?
Owls typically have a hunting territory separate from their roost during the day. Both owls have unique adaptations that enable them to be effective predators.
The fish owls can skim quietly across the water, snatching fish on the fly (Pel's fishing owl) or perch at the water's edge, catching any fish or crayfish that surfaces nearby (Blakiston's fish owl). Wading into the river to chase their prey is also seen in some species.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these hummingbird facts and dodo facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Fishing owl coloring pages.
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