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Oriental Bay Owl calling throughout the night

on 9th September 2010

“We were camping in the Temengor Forest Reserve, Ulu Perak, Malaysia when we heard the continuous hooting calls of this Oriental Bay Owl (Phodilus badius). It was about 8.15pm. We went searching while the owl continuued making the calls with occasional pausing, probably to watch us from the tree. We searched for quite sometime before one of us spotted it on a branch of a tree. We took some shots and were surprised to see a rodent in its mouth. It continued hooting through the night even after we left the site. I was awake around 3.00am in the morning and could still hear the owl calling.

“There are a few puzzling questions that I hope someone could share the answers.

1. Why did the owl calls with its mouth full?
2. Why did it calls for at least 6 full hours?
3. What rodent species is that?”

Forest Ang
4th September 2010

Note: We sent the image to nature consultant R Subaraj who responded: “A very nice photo of the Oriental Bay Owl. As for its prey, it seems to be some sort of forest rodent but without measurements and having the head blocked, I cannot confirm which species it is.”

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. I think it trying to feed its fledged young as the young one still learning to hunt. When the juv reply it will go to them.

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