A mesmerizing predator, the barred eagle-owl (Ketupa sumatrana) is a resident of the verdant Southeast Asian woodlands. This intriguing bird may not have the same nаme recognition as other owls, but it is an important part of its ecosystem and has some very distinctive characteristics. Warm, humid lowland forests in the subtropics and tropics are ideal habitats for the barred eagle-owl. When hunting, it prefers dense evergreen forests with streams or ponds close by.

It is worth noting that they are capable of adjusting to expansive gardens with towering trees and even agricultural regions, sometimes even coming close to human settlements. From the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, which includes the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, their range extends to nations such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. They also inhabit Myanmar, Malaysia, and Singapore. From the ocean floor to an elevation of 1,000 meters (3,300 feet), and in some places even higher, you can spot them. The banded eagle-owl is a show-stopper despite its diminutive stature (40–48 cm).

Its underbelly bears a barring pattern that looks like a pattern of stripes and is its most defining characteristic. Its imposing appearance is enhanced by its large, tufts of fur that curl outward. The eyes are a dark brown color (though occasionally reported as yellow) and contrast with the grayish-white face. Zigzag bars of rufous-tawny highlight the woolly pattern of browns and greys that covers the upper body. Brown wood owls don’t have the barred eagle-owls’ signature ear tufts, yet their underparts might give them that impression for a split second. The tawny overall coloration and absence of the white stripe on the head and ear-tufts make fish owls another possible source of mistake. The dusky eagle-owl is easily recognizable by its warmer brown plumage, yellow eyes, and sparse contrasting barring.

Fortunately, the spot-bellied eagle-owl, the most comparable species, is considerably bigger and located in a different part of the world. Barred eagle-owls make a deep, resonant hoot that sounds like “hoo” or “hoo-hoo,” or even “whooa-who, whooa-who.” This call is called a territorial call. At the very end of each hoot, you’ll hear a little dip in pitch. It is possible to hear two hoots followed by a two-second silence. It is common to hear them cackle, screech, and make strangulation sounds in the early evening. The locals in Borneo believe that when they take flight, they make a series of hoots and then a moan. As a master hunter, the barred eagle-owl consumes a wide range of insects, rodents, birds, and even snakes. They play an important role in ecological balance maintenance by regulating populations of these smaller animals. The calls of the barred eagle-owl are thought by some Javanese to be those of demons. This further shrouds this hypnotic nighttime beast of Southeast Asia in mystеry.