Pel’s fishing owl – what’s all the hype?

What is this creature?

Like its name suggests, it’s an owl that has adapted to fishing. There are only three of these fishing owls in the world (genus Scotopelia) although there are four species of fish (without the ing) owl (genus disputed between Ketupa and Bubo, the latter containing the eagle owls) – it’s all rather confusing. Fish and fishing owls apparently like to eat fish and are adapted to catching them although many of them will eat other things such as amphibians, crustaceans, carrion, small mammals and even fruit in some cases.

The Pel’s fishing owl, named for a seemingly forgotten naturalist called Pel, is a large owl and stands roughly 63cm (almost two feet) tall and weighs in at a healthy two kilograms or so.

When hunting, this owl perches on a low branch overhanging water. From here it hunts fish in slow-moving water using its long talons and the spiny soles of its feet to grip slippery fish. It has also been known to catch young crocodiles. Its maximum meal weight is an astounding two kilograms – in other words this bird is able to lift its own body weight from the water.

Because it hunts fish which are not known for their sharp hearing, Pel’s fishing owls fly noisily unlike many of the other owls which have soft edges to their flight feathers.

When the owl is not hunting (normally during the day), it roosts in the deep shade of trees with dark leaves where it’s easily overlooked.

Why is it so special?

Like most things people want to see, it’s difficult to find a Pel’s fishing owl. . They are not thick on the ground or air – and are noted as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. They can however, be locally common in ideal habitat (e.g. riverine vegetation and wetlands such as the Okavango Delta).

The bird has become something of a Mega Tick for twitchers around the world.

Where can I see it doing its stuff?

The best place to see this owl is definitely the Okavango Delta. It is often seen perching in the evening after sunset and, for the very patient, it can be seen hunting in the slow moving channels that weave their way through the Delta.

For the more adventurous, travel to equatorial and west Africa is an option. The bird has been in the Congo Basin and in coastal West Africa.

Wilderness Safaris and Safari Adventure Company

You can potentially see this spectacular owl at the following Wilderness Safaris and Safari Adventure Company camps:

Botswana, Okavango Delta: Xigera Camp, Jao Camp, Jacana Camp, Vumbura Plains

Malawi: Mvuu Camp, Mvuu Lodge

South Africa, Kruger National Park: Pafuri Camp – the only place in the country to see the owl