Pel's fishing owl

The Pel's fishing owl is named after the Dutchman H.S. Pel who identified this species in the mid-nineteenth century. Although the Pel's fishing owl is a very large owl, it is not the largest member of its family. The Pel's fishing owl can be found in Africa.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Strigiformes

Family: Strigidae

Genus: Scotopelia

Species: Peli

The Pel's fishing owl is covered with deep, orange-red plumage, or feathering. Growing to a length of between 20 and 25 inches (51 and 63 centimeters), the Pel's fishing owl is one of the largest members of the Strigidae family. It has a wingspan of up to 60 inches (153 centimeters). Unlike the barn owl, which has feathered feet, the Pel's fishing owl has unfeathered feet. This feature helps the owl to avoid collecting debris, or waste, in its feet. Unfeathered feet also aid the owl in moving its claws through water.

The Pel's fishing owl may be found throughout the lowland river areas in sub-Saharan Africa. Pairs of Pel's fishing owls generally share territories. The only time a pair leaves its territory is when the river or pond has dried up and there is no longer any food in the area. The pair first seeks prey in a nearby swamp or flood plain, and then eventually establishes a new territory near a river or pond rich with fish.

Unlike most other owls, which feed mainly on land animals and insects, the Pel's fishing owl feeds primarily on water animals, such as fish, amphibians, and crustaceans. Its carnivorous, or meat-eating, diet includes pike, bream, catfish, frogs, crabs, and mussels. Like other owls, the Pel's fishing owl is nocturnal. It rests during the day and awakes in the evening to hunt. The Pel's fishing owl perches itself along a branch or sandbank overlooking the water. From this perch, the Pel's fishing owl watches the water for any ripples or movements that may be caused by fish. When the Pel's fishing owl sees movement in the water, it slashes down its sharp, curved, talons, or claws, in an attempt to catch a fish. If successful, the Pel's fishing owl will begin to eat its prey headfirst.

Mating for the Pel's fishing owl occurs during the dry season and begins with the hooting and calling of the male for the female and her high-pitched response. Once the two are paired, they choose a nesting site. The Pel's fishing owl often uses a hollow high in a large, riverside tree. After mating, the female lays one to two white eggs within the hollow. Although the male and female do not actually build a nest together, the eggs are cushioned by the leaves and bark flakes which rest in the hollow of the tree. Once the eggs are resting safely in the tree, the female incubates, or warms, them with her body heat for 32 days. During this time, the female is fed by her mate. After the young hatch, they remain in the nest for about 10 weeks and then fledge, or fly for the first time.

Fish-eagles and eagle owls may prey on juvenile Pel's fishing owls or compete with them for resources. The life span of the Pel's fishing owl is up to 16 years. They are not a threatened species.

Bibliography

Lewis, Deane. “Pel's Fishing Owl (Scotopelia Peli) - Information, Pictures, Sounds.” The Owl Pages, 22 Oct. 2020, www.owlpages.com/owls/species.php?s=1430. Accessed 7 May 2024.

“Pel's Fishing owl - Facts, Diet, Habitat, & Pictures on Animalia.bio.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/pels-fishing-owl. Accessed 7 May 20