Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Vermiculated Fishing Owl
Scotopelia bouvieri
Vermiculated Fishing Owl (Scotopelia bouvieri) — Owls of Africa.
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl (Scotopelia bouvieri) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 637 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Strigidae Owls
- Genus Scotopelia
- Species bouvieri
Quick facts
- Weight
- 637 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl (Scotopelia bouvieri) is a member of the Strigidae family, within the order Strigiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Nigeria to e DR Congo and n Angola.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 637 g, with a wing length of about 29.5 cm and a tail of around 16.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Vermiculated Fishing Owl?
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl is a large bird that weighs around 637 g.
Where does the Vermiculated Fishing Owl live?
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF Nigeria to e DR Congo and n Angola, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Vermiculated Fishing Owl belong to?
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl (Scotopelia bouvieri) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Vermiculated Fishing Owl eat?
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Vermiculated Fishing Owl migrate?
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Vermiculated Fishing Owl endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Vermiculated Fishing Owl make?
1 real field recording of the Vermiculated Fishing Owl — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Vermiculated Fishing Owl's range?
The Vermiculated Fishing Owl has a mapped global range of about 3.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Strigidae
A field guide to the Strigidae family — 236 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.