The dusky eagle-owl (Bubo coromandus) belongs to the family of typical owls, Strigidae.
These owl species are distributed in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. These eagle-owl species are large birds with grayish-dusky plumage. There are two recognized subspecies of these owl species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The dusky eagle-owl (Bubo coromandus) is a large owl, measuring 47 to 52 cm in length.The overall plumage of dusky eagle-owl is grayish. The ear-tufts are prominent and have rounded tips. The facial disc is pale and demarked by narrow black stripe. The upperparts are brownish gray. The underparts are paler and are streaked.
The legs are covered with whitish feathers. The feet are pale gray. The beak is bluish gray. The irises are pale orange. Their call is an accelerating “wo wo wo wo" sound.
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| Birds of India - Image of Dusky eagle-owl - Bubo coromandus by Kishore Bhargava |
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| Indian birds - Picture of Dusky eagle-owl - Bubo coromandus by Koshy Koshy |
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| Birds of India - Photo of Dusky eagle-owl - Bubo coromandus by Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble |
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The dusky eagle-owl species are distributed in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia.The nominate subspecies B. c. coromandus is distributed in Pakistan, north and central India, Nepal, Bangladesh, northeast India and east China. The subspecies B. c. klossi is distributed in southern Myanmar and southern Thailand.
The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of the dusky eagle-owl in Nepal are, Bardia National Park, Chitwan National Park, Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Koshi Barrage.
Ecosystem and habitat
These owl species have medium forest dependency. These species occur in altitudes from 0 to 250 meters.They inhabit artificial ecosystems like plantations, dense rural gardens and groves with densely foliaged trees. The natural ecosystem of these species includes tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, dense woodlands, rivers, streams and creeks.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of these owl species is mostly birds. Crows, bee-eaters, parakeets, rollers, coucals, pigeons and doves are their primary food.Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of the dusky eagle-owl is from November to April in India, with a peak in December and January. These species usually lay eggs in the abandoned stick nests of kites, raptors and other birds of prey.Migration and movement patterns
The dusky eagle-owl species are non-migratory resident birds.Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding within their range.
Dusky eagle-owl - Overview
- Scientific name: Bubo coromandus
- Species author: (Latham, 1790)
- Synonyms/Protonym: Strix coromanda Latham, 1790
- Family: Strigidae › Strigiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Vernacular names: English: Dusky eagle-owl, Chinese: 乌雕鸮, French: Grand-duc de Coromandel, German: Koromandeluhu, Spanish: Búho de Coromandel, Russian: оромандельский филин, Japanese: ウスグロワシミミズク, Malay: Burung Hantu Bertanduk
- Other names: Dusky Horned Owl
- Distribution: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia
- Diet and feeding habits: birds, crows, pigeons, parakeets
- IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the dusky eagle-owl (Bubo coromandus) has not been quantified. The overall population trend of these owl species is considered to be under decline.Throughout its range it is reported to be widespread, uncommon to fairly common. The generation length is 11.6 years. Their distribution size is about 9,250,000 sq.km.
The dusky eagle-owl (Bubo coromandus) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable, either under the range size criterion, or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion. Loss of habitat is the main threat that may endanger the survival of these owl species.
IUCN and CITES status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the owl species and has listed it as of "Least Concern".CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Evaluated’ for the dusky eagle-owl (Bubo coromandus) and is listed in Appendix II.
| Taxonomy and scientific classification of Bubo coromandus | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Bubo |
| Species: | B. coromandus |
| Binomial name: | Bubo coromandus |
| IUCN status listing: |
 Least Concern |
1.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kbhargava/15433774451/
Image author: Kishore Bhargava | License: CC BY-NC 2.0 as on 16, March,2017
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dusky_Eagle_Owl_(7870700022).jpg
Image author: Koshy Koshy | License: CC BY 2.0
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dusky_eagle_owl_Bubo_coromandus_(2154437883).jpg
Image author: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble| License: CC BY 2.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Dusky eagle-owl - Bubo coromandus.