The Oriental Bay Owl Phodilus badius is supposed to be a bird of the lowland forest but here is one up at Kinabalu Park, just over 1,500 metres above sea level.  A definite altitude record for this beautiful owl.  It was perching upright against the trunk of the tree, perhaps giving it additional stealth in this daytime roost.  When I took this photo in fading light, the bird was just slowly opening its eyes.  I think it would be great fun for someone who has never seen this bird before to spot the location of the eyes when they are closed.

Thanks to Andy Boyce and Adam Mitchell of the University of Montana Avian Life History project.

The last of the 3 large owls in Borneo, the Barred Eagle-0wl !  While less common than the other 2 large owls, it has been kind to me, showing up in most of my trips.  It is found in lowland and swamp forest.  Many years ago, I saw a young bird in a cage.  I was amazed by the whiteness of its plumage but to see one in natural surroundings is so much better.

So I got lucky.  Yes, you would have to, to see this nocturnal beauty on a daytime roost.  The Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica is locally common in the edge of dense lowland forests.  On a night drive around the roads of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, consider yourself to be very unlucky if you don’t see this bird.  Of course in the bright illumination of the spot light, darker birds might appear to be pale.

The Buffy Fish-owl Bubo ketupu is one of the biggest owls in Borneo.  After its size, probably the next thing you will notice is the brilliant yellow iris.  Known for its fishing ability, away from the streams and rivers,  it is also attracted by lights.  Thus around the habituated areas along the Kinabatangan river, this is easily the most common owl.

I have never been lucky with day time roosting owls in Borneo.  So on a night (around 9pm) outing at the Klias Peatswamp Forest in Beaufort 3 days ago, I had to take my chance with this Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata borneensis.  It was moving back and forth from tree to electric wire, at times feeding on insects.  Early the next morning I could still hear its hoot whoo whoop so I suppose this is its hawking area.

Digiscoped with Swarovski ATS65 HD and Sony DSC W7.

Thanks very much to Andrew who held the torch light with one hand while trying to get his shots with the other hand.