Vermiculated Fishing-Owl Scotopelia bouvieri

A round-headed, gingery fishing-owl with heavily streaked underparts and a yellow beak. It is shy and day-roosts are well hidden in huge trees along rivers in lowland primary, swamp and flooded forests. The call is a deep low horn-like “hooooo”, and young birds sometimes emit an eerie screeching “wheeeuuu”. Similar Pel’s Fishing-Owl is larger and rustier (especially on the underparts) than Vermiculated Fishing-Owl, has a black (not yellow) beak, and is covered in spots, bars and chevrons.