Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Rufous Fishing Owl
Scotopelia ussheri
Rufous Fishing Owl (Scotopelia ussheri) — Owls of Africa.
The Rufous Fishing Owl (Scotopelia ussheri) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 787 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Strigidae Owls
- Genus Scotopelia
- Species ussheri
Quick facts
- Weight
- 787 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rufous Fishing Owl hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Rufous Fishing Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Rufous Fishing Owl (Scotopelia ussheri) is a member of the Strigidae family, within the order Strigiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Sierra Leone to Ghana.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 787 g, with a wing length of about 32.5 cm and a tail of around 18.1 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 358,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rufous Fishing Owl?
The Rufous Fishing Owl is a large bird that weighs around 787 g.
Where does the Rufous Fishing Owl live?
The Rufous Fishing Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF Sierra Leone to Ghana, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Rufous Fishing Owl belong to?
The Rufous Fishing Owl (Scotopelia ussheri) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Rufous Fishing Owl eat?
The Rufous Fishing Owl hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Rufous Fishing Owl migrate?
The Rufous Fishing Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Rufous Fishing Owl endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the Rufous Fishing Owl's range?
The Rufous Fishing Owl has a mapped global range of about 358,000 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.