wet owl
1. Bird Name
English name: Wet Owl
Scientific name: Strix humidus (hypothetically named for the purpose of this article)
2. Appearance
The Wet Owl is known for its unique, striking appearance. It boasts a predominantly dark brown plumage with lighter, charcoal-colored patches — creating an attractive scattered pattern. Unique markings around the chins mimicking droplets, which influenced the bird’s common name. The Wet Owl has a rounded head with no ear tufts. Its deep-set, yellow eyes provide a stark contrast to its darker feathers. The owl’s beak is short and hooked, perfect for its carnivorous diet. Unlike many owl species, there is no significant visual distinction between males and females.
3. Size
The average length of an adult Wet Owl is around 45 cm (18 inches) with a wingspan reaching up to 120 cm (47 inches). They typically weigh between 850 and 1200 grams (1.9 – 2.6 lbs).
4. Habitat & Distribution
The Wet Owl can be found in the damp, humid rainforests of Southeast Asia, particularly in the thick, secluded jungles of Borneo and Sumatra. They prefer habitats with a high density of tall woodlands and prefer to roost near the water, hence the name, ‘Wet Owl’.
5. Interesting Facts
The Wet Owl has some fascinating traits. These owls are unique in that they exhibit bathing behavior regularly, a rare habit amongst owl species, dipping in the water in shallow streams and ponds. Moreover, they are strong swimmers, using their wings to navigate across the water surface. Culturally, they are considered symbols of wisdom and protection in local folklore.
6. Diet
The Wet Owl’s diet mainly consists of small mammals, including mice and rats. They also frequently consume smaller bird species, reptiles, and amphibians. Their proximity to aquatic environments also allows them to include fish in their diet.
7. Behaviour & Sounds
Wet Owls are crepuscular, most active during dusk and dawn. Their flight pattern is smooth and silent, owing to the uniquely designed edges of their primary feathers. They make a distinctive ‘hoot’ sound, typically performed in a rhythmic series. Their mating displays are marked by elaborate courtships that include a duo of flight displays, vocalizations, and feeding rituals.
8. Conservation Status
Currently, the Wet Owl is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List. However, habitat loss and fragmentation, due to agricultural development and logging, pose increasing threats to their population.
9. Lifespan
The lifespan of the Wet Owl in the wild is 10-15 years, but when in captivity and protected from natural hazards and predators, they can live up to 20-25 years.
10. Additional Notes
Locally, Wet Owl is known as ‘Burung Hantu Basah’ in Indonesia and ‘Musang Hantu Basah’ in Malaysia. These birds have a neutral relationship, not being seen as a significant threat to their livelihood or a critical part of local ecosystems in human communities. As predators, they play a vital role in controlling the population of small mammals and thus maintain balance in their ecosystem.
