FeatherScan logo
FeatherScan
Overview
Vermiculated fishing owl

Vermiculated fishing owl

Wikipedia

The vermiculated fishing owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found within riverine forest in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria. This species was first described by British zoologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1875 and named in honour of French naturalist Eugène Louis Bouvier.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Central Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs along forested rivers, oxbows, and swamp-forests within the Congo Basin and adjacent regions. It favors quiet, slow-moving waters bordered by mature gallery or riverine forest with ample overhanging branches. Typically avoids open savanna and fast, turbulent stretches. Roosts by day in dense foliage close to water and hunts at night from low, concealed perches. Human disturbance and riparian deforestation can limit local presence.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1200 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size40–48 cm
Wing Span90–105 cm
Male Weight0.65 kg
Female Weight0.75 kg
Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Vermiculated Fishing Owl is a secretive, nocturnal owl that specializes in catching fish and other aquatic prey from forested rivers and streams. It perches quietly over water and snatches prey with long, unfeathered legs equipped with spicules for grip. Its fine, wavy ‘vermiculated’ barring provides excellent camouflage in dappled riverine forest light. Like other fishing owls, it relies heavily on intact riparian forest, making it sensitive to habitat degradation.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and secretive

Flight Pattern

short silent flights with strong, deep wingbeats over waterways

Social Behavior

Usually encountered alone or in pairs, especially during breeding. Nests near water, often in large tree cavities or concealed platforms in dense riverine forest. Pairs are presumed monogamous, maintaining territories along stretches of suitable river habitat. Roosts during the day in thick foliage close to the waterline.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A low, resonant series of hoots and booming notes, often delivered at night from a concealed perch near water. Calls may be spaced in rhythmic sequences that carry across rivers. Contact calls include softer hoots and gruffs.

Similar Bird Species

Vermilion cardinal
Resident

Vermilion cardinal

The vermilion cardinal is a species of bird in the family Cardinalidae, the cardinals or cardinal grosbeaks. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.

Vermilion flycatcher
Migratory

Vermilion flycatcher

The vermilion flycatcher is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family found throughout South America and southern North America. It is a striking exception among the generally drab Tyrannidae due to its vermilion-red coloration. The males have bright red crowns, chests, and underparts, with brownish wings and tails. Females lack the vivid red coloration and can be hard to identify—they may be confused for Say's phoebe. The vermilion flycatcher's song is a pit pit pit pidddrrrreeedrr, which is variable and important in establishing a territory. Riparian habitats and semi-open environments are preferred. As aerial insectivores, they catch their prey while flying. Their several months-long molt begins in summer.

Vermilion tanager
Resident

Vermilion tanager

The vermilion tanager is a species of Neotropical bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is the only member of the genus Calochaetes.

Vernal hanging parrot
Resident

Vernal hanging parrot

The vernal hanging parrot is a small parrot which is a resident breeder in the Indian subcontinent and some other areas of Southeast Asia. It undergoes local movements, driven mainly by the availability of the fruit, seeds, buds and blossoms that make up its diet. They frequent the banyan tree for the fruit and plantain trees for the nectar from the flowers.

Verreaux's coua
Endemic

Verreaux's coua

Verreaux's coua is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. According to a BBC documentary, it is found only near a salt lake in the southern part of the island. The lake is 16 km long but only a couple of metres deep. The area has been drying out for the last 40,000 years and the organisms living here have become adapted to conserve water.

Verreaux's eagle
Resident

Verreaux's eagle

Verreaux's eagle is a large, mostly African, bird of prey. It is also called the black eagle, especially in southern Africa, not to be confused with the black eagle of south and southeast Asia. The Verreaux's eagle lives in hilly and mountainous regions of southern and eastern Africa, and very locally in the Middle East.