Sunda Scops Owl

 A uncommon resident in Singapore. 

Only able to spot a couple (2 owls) at Pasir Ris Park last year (May to Jul 2021). Have not spotted one since after the Npark cordon off the palm trees when 2 owls were spotted during the Covid-19 restriction period. Since then the trees were not well kept and I have yet to spot any of the SSO since then.

Fast forward in May 2022, read from social media that birders has spotted one recently (May 2022) at Dairy Farm Nature Park. Though I visited a few time, I have yet to spot any.

Just realised how precious these pictures were to me when I realised how difficult it is to spot them thought they were not picture perfect.

Sunda Scops Owl.
2024 Oct 1 @ Car park opposite Raffles building, Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Can you imagine an owl in the car park? It was a lucky sighting by one birder when it flew infront of him to capture it's prey. It left after a few day's stay here.
Sony RX10iv

Sunda Scops Owl.
2024 Oct 1 @ Car park opposite Raffles building, 
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Sunda Scops Owl.
2024 Apr @ Pasir Ris Park, Kingfisher pond, car park B.
Not easy to spot them. Unfortunately, one owl has passed on. Since then, it is not common to spot the other.
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Sunda Scops Owl.
2024 Apr @ Pasir Ris Park, Kingfisher pond, car park B.
Hope the one and only is able to survive well
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Sunda Scops Owl.
2023 Dec 15th @ Pasir Ris Park, Kingfisher pond, car park B.
After 5 unsuccessful trips, spotted it again.
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Sunda Scops Owl.
2023 Dec 15th @ Pasir Ris Park, Kingfisher pond, car park B.
I thought it was a dried leaf, zoom in just to humour myself.
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Sunda Scops Owl.
2023 Sep 9th @ Pasir Ris Park, Kingfisher pond, car park B.
Took me 3 years to spot it again.
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Sunda Scops Owl.
2023 Sep 9th @ Pasir Ris Park, Kingfisher pond, car park B.
We need to stretch 180 degrees to watch it. Thanks to a birder with sharp eyes. Without her, I could have miss it again.
Sony RX10iv

Sunda Scops Owl.
2023 Sep 9th @ Pasir Ris Park, Kingfisher pond, car park B.
Asleep during the day.
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Sunda Scops Owl.
2021 Jul 12 @ Pasir Ris Park, car park B.
Sony DSC-HX99.

Sunda Scops Owl.
2021 Jul 12 @ Pasir Ris Park, car park B.
Sony DSC-HX99.

Lucky to have a look when it decided to open its eyes.

Sunda Scops Owl.
2021 Jul 12 @ Pasir Ris Park, car park B.
Sony DSC-HX99.

Went back to sleep.

Sunda Scops Owl.
2021 Jul 18th @ Pasir Ris Park.
It is very difficult to spot this small owl as it usually perched inside a palm tree at a very dark corner.
Its small size and colour (Brown, just like the dead palm leaves) also makes it very difficult to spot them. Usually, with a back light behind them, it is even difficult to get a clear picture to keep as record for myself. This picture was taken using my Sony HX99. With short zoom and small sensor, this is how it looked after I did some edit with the lighting.

Sunda Scops Owl.
2021 Jul 18th @ Pasir Ris Park, Car Park B.
Sleeping. 
Sony DSC-HX99.

A short clip of Sunda Scops.

This is where the Sunda Scoops Owl were housed.

This is where the Sunda Scoops Owl were housed.

We need to go under the palm trees to look upwards and search for the owls. LOL.