Collared Owlet’s “dorsal face”

on 27th February 2016

OwletCol [DanarajManiam] 1

In December 2015, Danaraj Maniam was birding at the Batang Kali forest in Selangor, Malaysia when he saw this little Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei) at around noon time (above). “It was hunting for prey. This owlet is not shy, you can actually go very close about 20 meters to get a shot. It sat on the dry branch for about half an hour,” wrote Danaraj. “It is very active during the night with its two large orange yellow eyes. This little owlet is rare and is the smallest owl I have seen.”

OwletCol [DanarajManiam] 2

This owlet is a tiny bird with a rounded head and the eyes placed in front as compared to other birds where the eyes are on the sides. The neck is extremely flexible, being able to turn the head almost completely around – up to 270 degrees in either direction. This allows it to look back without turning around. This is shown in the image above where the head of the owlet is directed backwards.

Unique to this owl is the presence of a “dorsal face” on the nape behind, complete with dark “eyes” and “eyebrows:

OwletCol [DanarajManiam] 3

The above image shows the owlet in side view, calling for about 5 minutes.

Danaraj Maniam
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
8th February 2016

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.

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