Highlights | Overview

• Majestic brown fish owls in Turkey are a captivating experience for bird enthusiasts
• Known for stunning brown plumage and piercing yellow eyes
• Symbol of beauty and strength in Turkish wilderness
• Haunting hoots echoing through the night
• Impressive wingspan up to 1.5 meters wide
• Secretive nature adds to their mystery
• Presence indicates a healthy ecosystem
• Protecting them and understanding their significance is crucial
• Opportunity to connect with delicate balance of nature

Full Description

Night Bird Watching Tour: Explore the Mysterious Brown Fish Owl with Vigo Tours

This is a night bird watching activity. Please ask for availability for morning observation by boat on the lake. Fish owl observation tours price is for 2 people. The same price is valid for single person.

Important note: We strongly request that individuals who are not bird watchers, such as relatives, friends, spouses, girlfriends, or children, do not participate in the fish owl night observation tour.

The Brown Fish Owl, scientifically known as Ketupa zeylonensis, is the least populated species among the 56 species of birds of prey and owls in Europe. Although its population is not concentrated in Europe, it has a negative conservation status in the region. The only population of Brown Fish Owls in Europe is found in Turkey, where it is estimated to be endangered on a European scale due to its limited geographical distribution.

Brown Fish Owls are predominantly found in the Mediterranean region, in low subtropical and tropical latitudes, usually in plain areas. If you are interested in spotting these magnificent creatures, Vigo Tours offers the perfect opportunity to observe them in their natural environment in Antalya, Manavgat, and Akseki surroundings.

Vigo Tours has been organizing observation tours for the endangered Brown Fish Owl since 2011, providing participants with an opportunity to witness these birds up close with the help of experienced guides. The tour duration is 5 hours, including transfers, and is conducted at night to maximize the chances of spotting the elusive bird.

Things to know:

Observing fish owls is not an easy task. Sometimes they can be seen in the first minute, sometimes very late. Being in fish owl habitats is not enough to find them. The best way to see fish owls is to go with a guide who has been following fish owls for years. It should also be noted that it is not possible to enter fish owl habitats without permission. To obtain a permit, it is necessary to apply to the Regional Directorates of Nature Conservation and National Parks.

Night observation is done by walking in a pitch dark environment and using light. Observers with walking difficulties can wait in the vehicle. When the guide finds the owls, he will come and take the ponders to the point where the owls will be observed. 

Being silent and avoiding sudden movements during the observation of fish owls, which have a very strong ability to see in pitch darkness at night and hear even the smallest sounds, is very necessary for a good observation. Additionally, smoking while observing may cause difficulty in finding fish owls. Observers are not allowed to use their own lights while searching for or finding an owl or during observation.

Once the guide locates a Brown Fish Owl, the flashlight is kept on for 10 seconds to allow participants to observe the bird, and then turned off for 20 seconds. This continues for 15-20 minutes.

Photo taking opportunities depend on the participants' camera night shooting skills, with a total observation time of no more than 20 minutes in the presence of the owl.

Price included

Pick Up Place

Pick up Point

Details to know

Fish Owl · Ketupa zeylonensis

Flash is not allowed in photography. Participants using torches also negatively affects success and unfortunately night vision binoculars do not work to find the fish owl. It would be a good idea to walk behind the guide while he is searching for the fish owl.

When booking, you can choose to take the observation tour by boat on the lake by paying a surcharge of 170€.

Unauthorized entry into fish owl habitat areas can cause problems for observers. Vigo Tours has a license for day and night observations and pays an observation tax based on the number of observers for each entry. Observation permit authority: Türkiye Nature Conservation and National Parks regional directorates.

The observation tour includes transfer and guidance services and is carried out with at least 2 observers. The tour departure point is Side. The observation tour is carried out at night and with lantern light that is not very strong. Participants are not allowed to use camera flash. Once the guide finds the Brown fish owl, he will keep the flashlight on for 10 seconds and then turn it off for 20 seconds to allow participants to observe. Photo shoots depend on the camera night shooting skills of the participants. Total observation time will be no more than 20 minutes when the fish owl is present. Participants are not allowed to walk around on their own with flashlights. Species: Brown fish owl. Places of sight: Antalya, Manavgat and Akseki surroundings.

Additional information

About Fish Owls - Ketupa Zeylonensis - Observation tour

To experience the majestic fish owl in its natural habitat, visitors can embark on observation tours either by boat in the early morning on the dam lake near Manavgat or by lantern at night along a mountain stream. The location of the tour is carefully chosen based on the current condition and behavior of the fish owls, which can vary depending on the season.

Period & Price