Spotted Wood-owl dismantling dead wood

An adult and a juvenile Spotted Wood-owl (Strix seloputo) were perching together on a branch of a tree. The adult was breaking off small pieces of the dead wood (above) with the juvenile watching nearby. Note that the adult had its eyelids totally covering the eyes to protect them from flying wood fragments.

The recently fledged juvenile subsequently took over the task and totally removed the short piece of dead wood (above, below). Obviously the adult was demonstrating to the juvenile how to forage for food.

According to Marks et al. (1999), most tropical owl species incorporate invertebrates into their diet. Insects like moths, beetles, crickets are either caught on the ground by pouncing from a perch, snatched from the forest canopy or from the air. Caterpillars have also been documented taken by owls.

The adult and the juvenile Spotted Wood-owls were most probably looking for insects or their larvae found in the rotting wood.

Jeremiah Loei
Singapore
27th March 2016

Reference
Marks, J. S., R. J. Cannings & H. Mikkola, 1999. Family Strigidae (Typical Owls). In: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to hummingbirds. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Pp. 76-242.

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.