Recently, I went on a short excursion with my friend (and fellow Birdwatching Asia writer) Ashwin to see a special bird – the Barred Eagle-Owl in Puchong, Malaysia. I have never been able to see this species before, so naturally, I was quite excited about this trip!
The Barred Eagle-Owl in Puchong, Malaysia
The location for the owl is an unassuming public park/playground in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong. Apparently, the owl has been there for a few weeks. A quick check on eBird reveals sightings since the end of March. This was also the same site as the nesting Laced Woodpeckers that attracted many local birdwatchers and photographers recently.
We arrived at 8.45 am and searched the area for about 20 minutes before spotting the bird perched silently on a branch. The bird was perched very still on an unobstructed branch, just above eye level. As a result, it allowed us great views and fantastic photo opportunities.
The bird itself was stunning! The entire plumage was exquisitely patterned, with barring on its brown back and white belly. The legs are feathered all the way down, and the feet are armed with fearsome-looking talons. It has a ‘wise old man’ look due to feather extensions called ‘ear tufts’ sticking out horizontally from the head.
Looking straight at me was a pair of glassy, black eyes. The iris is dark, giving the impression of deep, bottomless eyes. The reflections on the eyes seem almost like stars twinkling in the night sky.
Where is the Owl in Puchong?
The park is at Jalan BK 5 / 6, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, Selangor.
The owl can still be seen there as of 18/4/23. Locate a small, open gate near the side of the park, and walk into an area next to a large monsoon drain. Look for it around there. It is quite tricky to spot as it is perfectly camouflaged! (Avoid using call playback since this may scare the bird away permanently.)
As this is a local public park, kindly respect the resident’s privacy. Refrain from making loud noises or causing unduly disturbances here. Moreover, don’t block anyone’s driveways when parking, and don’t litter.
The residents were very welcoming when we went there, so if you have trouble locating the owl, the locals are more than happy to help! Finally, remember that this is a wild bird; therefore, there’s always the possibility the owl may no longer be there when you visit.
About the Barred Eagle-Owl
Scientifically, it is known as Ketupa sumatranus. One of Malaysia’s larger owls, this nocturnal species is uncommon but widely distributed throughout Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Lowland primary and secondary forests are the preferred habitat of this species. Additionally, it can also occur at lower montane elevations in Borneo.
Occasionally, it can turn up at lush urban parks, such as this one in Puchong and the Seremban Lake Gardens in 2022. When this happens, it becomes a magnet for birders and photographers from around the country. Check out the eBird page for more sightings around Malaysia.
More often heard than seen, the most familiar call sounds like a deep ‘hoot….hoot’ repeated several times. I’ve heard this a few times in the past. It also has several other types of calls. Refer to the Xeno-canto page for more of its vocalisations.
The Owl Pages website and the Wikipedia page have additional information about the Barred Eagle-Owl.
Conclusion
I was very happy to get a great view and some nice photos of this bird, so that’s one more tick for my owls of Malaysia list!
References:
Puan, C.L., Davison, G. & Lim, K.C. (2020). Birds of Malaysia. Covering Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo and Singapore. Lynx and BirdLife International Field Guides. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
