2 owls sunbathe at 10am near Seletar Airport, proving they aren't entirely nocturnal

What is cuter than an owl sunbathing right outside your house?

Two owls doing exactly just that.

That was what one resident who lives at Baker Street, near Seletar Aerospace Drive, saw recently at around 10am when he looked out of his kitchen area to see the owls basking in his backyard.

He shot a video of the owls extending their wings, while splayed out on the ground.

The owl that was closer to the camera even turned to look at it.

Daily routine

Speaking to Mothership, Nathan Yong said he has seen the owls at his place every morning.

He added: "There are two of them. It’s a couple. I moved here recently and placed those white gravel in the backyard. It absorbs and radiate heat and I think the owl loves it!"

Another post by David Tan on Jun. 8 showed an owl at the same location.

It was apparently drying out its wings after the morning rain, according to Tan.

The two owls enjoying time in the sun in broad daylight highlighted how these creatures are generally considered nocturnal, but not all species are active only during the night.

Buffy Fish Owl

From its prominent ear-tufts, yellow eyes, and black-streaked, brownish underparts, the owls appear to be Buffy Fish Owls.

The Buffy Fish Owl is also known as the Malay Fish Owl, and grows to about 45cm in height, and is usually seen perched on trees overlooking water bodies, searching for prey.

As its name suggests, it feeds on fish, as well as frogs and other small animals.

While the Buffy Fish Owl can be found in various Southeast Asian countries, it is considered critically endangered in Singapore.

The scientific name of the Buffy Fish Owl is "ketupa ketupu".

Top photo via Nathan Yong