Photo by Alok Tewari
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh Terai, India, Jan-2015
- Glaucidium radiatum
Identification
20 - 24cm
A small owl with a round head. Entirely finely barred, including flanks. Facial disk also barred with white eyebrows. Dark brown above with rufous wings. Yellow eyes.
Malabarium in the south is much more rufous, especially the head, and generally darker.
Similar Speces
May be confused with Asian Barred Owlet and Collared Owlet. Differs from first in smaller size, rufous primaries and paler appearance. Both species also have streaks on their belly which are lacking in Jungle Owlet. Collared Owlet is usually found at higher altitudes.
Distribution
India and Sri Lanka. From the Himalayan foothills south to Sri Lanka. No confirmed records in the northeast.
Taxonomy
May form a superspecies with Chestnut-backed Owlet Glaucidium castanonotum.
Some authorities place this species in genus Taenioglaux.
Subspecies
Two subspecies regognized,
- G. r. radiatum:
- G. r. malabaricum
- South-western peninsular India
The latter may have species status, further study needed.
Habitat
Scrub and deciduous forests. Also in teak plantations. Avoids wet forest.
Behaviour
The species is often found in small groups and they are very vociferous at dawn and dusk. Easy to see at day.
Diet
Feeds on insects like beetles or locusts. Takes also small birds, lizards and rodents.
Breeding
Breeding from March to May. Lays 3 eggs, only 2 in Sri Lanka.
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/
- 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) Jungle Owlet. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 September 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Jungle_Owlet
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