Ketupa zeylonensis -- (Gmelin, 1788) ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- STRIGIFORMES -- STRIGIDAE Common names: Brown Fish-owl; Brown Fish Owl European Red List Assessment European Red List Status CR -- Critically Endangered, (IUCN version 3.1) Assessment Information Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Critically Endangered (CR) EU27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)

In Europe this species has an extremely small, apparently declining population, estimated at between 100-160 mature individuals, and is therefore classified as Critically Endangered. The bird does not occur in the EU27. Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Native: Turkey Population The European population is estimated at 50-80 pairs, which equates to 100-160 mature individuals. The species does not occur in the EU27. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Trend In Europe the population size is estimated to be decreasing. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Habitats and Ecology This species is found in deciduous, semi-deciduous and open evergreen woodland as well as well-vegetated ravines, steep banks and canal sides, old plantations and groves with mature trees. It is almost always found near water. In the Middle East it occupies undisturbed wadis and valleys with trees and bushes in hilly areas. It breeds between November and May (Mikkola and Willis 1983). In Turkey juveniles are seen from June to July. The species is thought to pair for life. Nests are built in hollows or depressions in trees, rock ledges or steep stream banks, normally near water. Old raptor nests are sometimes used as well. Clutch size is typically two. Its diet is mainly fish, frogs and freshwater crabs. It will also eat crayfish, snakes and lizards and occasionally rodents and birds. It hunts from perches overlooking water from where it swoops down and seizes prey from the water. It will also wade after food. This species is resident (Holt et al. 2013). Habitats & Altitude Habitat (level 1 - level 2) Importance Occurrence Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations suitable resident Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry suitable resident Forest - Temperate suitable resident Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under ha) suitable resident Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) suitable resident Altitude max. 1900 m Occasional altitudinal limits Threats In Europe little is known of this species. It is apparent that locals have known of these birds for some time but not of their rarity and as a result, fish farm workers have shot them due to their food preference. Disturbance from humans, such as those wishing to see this rare species is a threat (van den Berg et al. 2010). Threats & Impacts Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses Biological resource Hunting & trapping Timing Scope Severity Impact use terrestrial animals Ongoing Whole (>90%) Negligible declines Medium Impact (persecution/ control) Stresses Species mortality Human intrusions & Recreational Timing Scope Severity Impact disturbance activities Ongoing Whole (>90%) Negligible declines Medium Impact Stresses Species disturbance Conservation Conservation Actions Underway Bern Convention Appendix II. CITES Appendix II. Suggested it be named in Turkish as Yenger Baykuşu (Crab-owl) as opposed Balik Baykuşu (Fish-owl).

Conservation Actions Proposed The areas where it resides should also be protected from environmental changes such as logging and infrastructure development (van den Berg et al. 2010). Research into European population should continue. Local people could be educated on the rarity of this species and involved in its protection. To minimise disturbance, controlled eco-tours should be developed and protected areas created where the species is found (van den Berg et al. 2010). Bibliography Holt, W., Berkley, R., Deppe, C., Enríquez Rocha, P., Petersen, J.L., Rangel Salazar, J.L., Segars, K.P., Wood, K.L. & Kirwan, G.M. (2013). Brown Fish-owl (Ketupa zeylonensis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) (2013). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/55024 on 21 January 2015). van den Berg, A.B., Bekir, S., de Knijff, P. & The Sound Approach (2010. Rediscovery, biology, vocalisations and taxonomy of fish owls in Turkey. Dutch Birding. 32(5): 287-298. Map (see overleaf)