- Glaucidium castanotum
Identification
19cm (7½ in)
- Chestnut brown, dark barred upperparts
- White, heavily barred, brown underparts
- Chestnut scapulars and wing coverts
- Brown facial disc
- White neckband
- Bright yellow iris
- Pale yellow feet
Sexes similar
Distribution
Sri Lanka.
This owl appears to have been fairly common in Legge's time in many parts of the southern half of the Island, especially the hills and wet-zone low country extending to outskirts of Colombo; but its range has undoubtedly shrunk very greatly since then, and it is now found sparingly in the remaining forests of the wet zone and adjoining hills up to 6,500 feet.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1] which is sometimes considered a subspecies of Jungle Owlet[2].
Some authorities place this species in genus Taenioglaux.
Habitat
Wet forests and riverside forest edges, gardens, well wooded ravines; breeds in humid hill country.
Behaviour
It is shy and wary, and as it frequents the tops of tall trees, usually on steep hillsides, it is seldom seen. It is very diurnal in habits, often hunting and calling in broad daylight.
Breeding
The breeding season is from March to May, the eggs being laid on the bare wood in a hole in the trunk or limb of a tree.The two glossy white eggs measure about 35 × 28.2 mm.
Diet
The Chestnut-backed Owlet feeds mainly on insects, such as beetles, but also captures mice, small lizards, and small birds, on occasion; most likely, the larger vertebrate forms of prey are taken only when young are being fed.
Vocalisation
Call: a slow kraw-kraw.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Wikipedia
- Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka
- König, C. and F. Weick 2008. Owls of the World, second edition. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Chestnut-backed Owlet. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Chestnut-backed_Owlet
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
