The brown fish owl (Ketupa zeylonensis zeylonensis) is a distinctive, endemic subspecies in Sri Lanka, with a widespread distribution that spans from lowlands to mountainous highlands. This true owl species is quite tolerant of human habitation and is often observed at night near paddy fields or flying from tree to tree at dusk along roads in parks such as Kumana and Wilpattu. They are seldom found far from water and usually inhabit forests along rivers or small lakes. Like most owls, they live in pairs but roost separately, often in kumbuk trees (Terminalia arjuna). Being nocturnal, they hunt at night, primarily feeding on fish but also consuming freshwater crabs, large insects, snakes, lizards, and even small mammals.