The spotted wood owl is an owl of the earless owl genus, Strix. Its range is disjunct; it occurs in many regions surrounding Borneo, but not on that island itself.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Found patchily from southern Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia to Singapore, and on the large Sunda Islands of Sumatra, Java, and Bali; notably absent from Borneo. It inhabits lowland forests, forest edges, mangroves, swamp-forest margins, plantations, and large urban parks. The species favors areas with tall trees for roosting and nesting and nearby open spaces for hunting. Occurrence is localized but it can be common where suitable habitat persists.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Spotted Wood Owl is an earless owl of the genus Strix, notable for its orange-buff facial disc boldly rimmed in black. Its distribution is strikingly disjunct, occurring around Borneo but not on the island itself. It adapts well to human-modified landscapes and is famously seen in urban parks and wooded areas of Singapore. Pairs often duet with deep, booming calls that carry far at night.
Spotted wood owl at National Zoo Malaysia
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong, silent wingbeats with short glides between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs; pairs often roost close together in tall trees. Nests in large tree cavities or occasionally in abandoned stick nests. Clutch typically consists of 1–2 eggs, with the female incubating while the male provides food. Family groups may remain together for a time after fledging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Deep, booming hoots delivered in series, often as duets between the pair; carries far on still nights. Also gives grunts and softer hoots during close pair communication.
Plumage
Upperparts dark brown with dense whitish spotting and fine barring; underparts whitish to buff with bold black bars and some rufous wash. Facial disc rich orange-buff with a distinctive thick black rim; no ear tufts. Legs are feathered; toes pale and lightly scaled.
Diet
Primarily small mammals such as rats and mice, making it an effective urban and agricultural predator. Also takes birds, large insects, and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Hunts mainly from perches, dropping onto prey on the ground or snatching from low vegetation.
Preferred Environment
Edges of forests, clearings, parklands, plantations, mangroves, and riparian corridors. Prefers mosaics with open ground for hunting and tall trees for cover and roosting.
