1166. Ketupa javanensis.
The Malay Fish-Owl.
Strix ketupu, Horsf. Tr. Linn. Soc. xiii, p. 141 (1821). Ketupa javanensis, Less. Traite, p. 114 (1831); Blyth, Cat. p. 37; Horsf. f M. Cat. i, p. 76; Hume, Rough Notes, p. 384; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. ii, p. 9; Blyth & Wald. Birds Burm. p. 66; Armstrong, S F. iv, p. 300; Hume & Dav. S. F. vi, pp. 33, 497; Hume, Ca,. no. 73 bis; Bingham, S. F. ix, pp. 146, 471; Oates, B. B. ii, p. 149; id. in Hume's N. & E. 2nd ed. iii, p. 98.
Coloration. Similar to that of K. flavipes, except that the present species is browner and less orange, especially above; the buff borders to the upper plumage frequently wanting altogether in old birds, whilst white or buff spots on the dark parts of the feathers are more numerous. Chiefly, however, the species is distinguished by having the tarsus entirely naked behind up to and including the joint, and not, as a rule, clad in front so much as halfway down, and by much smaller size.
Bill dusky; cere dark slate-colour ; irides light yellow; legs and feet dusky yellowish brown.
Length about 18.5; tail 6.5 ; wing 13.5; tarsus 2.75; bill from gape 1.75.
Distribution. Arrakan, the Irrawaddy delta, and throughout Tenasserim, the Malay Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo.
Habits, &c Very similar to those of the other species, except that K. javanensis appears to feed largely on insects, but it probably eats fish and crabs as well. It sees well by day and has a low soft whistling note. Major Bingham found the nest, containing a single white egg, in a fork of a large peepul tree, on February 27th. The egg measured 2.21 by 1.17, and was, as usual, a broad oval.
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