Habitat
Mangroves, primary forest, forest edges, secondary growth, such as old cocoa plantations and bamboo stands, along small, shady streams in mosaics of open floodplains and riverine forest.
Voice
A baritone hoot given at irregular intervals, sometimes in a series and may be duet. Call similar to that of Pel's Fishing-owl (Scotopelia peli), but somewhat higher pitched and not as "flat", but slightly rising in pitch.
Rufous Fishing Owl (Scotopelia ussheri) [XC345656]
by Phil Taylor, Hugo Rainey from Bangolo, Dix-Huit Montagnes; SW corner of Mt Peko National Park, Ivory Coast (call)
Rufous Fishing Owl (Scotopelia ussheri) [XC878224]
by Phil Taylor, Hugo Rainey from Moa River Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Smaller than Pel's Fishing-owl (Scotopelia peli) and has uniform, not barred, upperparts.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet