Showing posts with label Tytonidae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tytonidae. Show all posts

Sri Lanka bay owl

   ›      ›   Sri Lanka bay owl - Phodilus assimilis.

The Sri Lanka bay owl (Phodilus assimilis), a strictly nocturnal owl, belongs to the family of barn owls, Tytonidae. These owl species are distributed in South India and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka bay owl was considered as a subspecies of P. badius (Oriental bay owl). There are two recognized subspecies of these birds.

Sri Lanka bay owl - Overview

  • Scientific name: Phodilus assimilis
  • Species author: Hume, 1877
  • Synonyms: Phodilus assimilis A. O. Hume, 1877
  • Family: Tytonidae › Strigiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Common Name: Sri Lanka bay owl
  • Other languages: Chinese: 斯里兰卡栗鸮, French: Phodile de Ceylan, German: Ceylonmaskeneule, Spanish: Lechuza cornuda de Ceilán, Russian: Цейлонская масковая сипуха, Japanese: Sri Lanka Bay-Owl
  • Other names: Ceylon Bay-owl
  • Distribution: southern India, Sri Lanka
  • Diet and feeding habits: large insects, small vertebrates
  • IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Phodilus assimilis is closely related to Phodilus badius. The two recognized subspecies of Phodilus assimilis are: Phodilus assimilis ripleyi Hussain & Reza Khan, 1978 and Phodilus assimilis assimilis A. O. Hume, 1877.


Appearance, physical description and identification

The Sri Lanka bay owl (Phodilus assimilis) is a medium-sized nocturnal bird measuring about 25 to 30 cm in length and weighing around 230 grams. It looks bulky and has short legs, tail and wings. The facial disc is heart shaped. The upperparts are dark brown and spotted. The lower parts are buff with scattered black spotting. Its call is a quavering multi-element whistling sound.
Birds of India - Sri Lanka bay owl - Phodilus assimilis
Indian birds - Image of Sri Lanka bay owl - Phodilus assimilis by Dr.abhilash.ak
Indian birds - Image of Sri Lanka bay owl - Phodilus assimilis
Birds of India - Sri Lanka bay owl - Phodilus assimilis

Origin, geographical range and distribution

These owl species are distributed in South India and Sri Lanka. In India, the subspecies P. a. ripleyi occur in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They are distributed in the Western Ghats spanning Karnataka State, Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Anamalai Hills and Nelliyampathy Hills. In Sri Lanka the subspecies P. a. assimilis occur in the central and southern region.

Ecosystem and habitat

The owl species inhabit humid evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, wooded hillsides, deciduous forests, mangrove forests and degraded forests. They occur from lowlands to 1000 meter elevations.

Diet and feeding habits

The diet of the Sri Lanka bay owl is large insects and small vertebrates.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these species is not known.

Migration and movement patterns

These owl species are mostly non-migratory resident birds. Post breeding dispersal of juveniles takes place. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding.

Conservation status and concerns

The global population size of the Sri Lanka bay owl (Phodilus assimilis) has not been quantified. The overall population size is considered to be stable. Their generation length is 5.9 years. These owl species have large range and population. The habitat loss due to deforestation and logging is threatening the survival of these species.

The Sri Lanka bay owl does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable neither under the population trend criterion nor under the population size criterion. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the Sri Lanka bay owl (Phodilus assimilis) and has listed it as of "Least Concern". The CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) has listed these owls in Appendix II.


Taxonomy and scientific classification of Phodilus assimilis
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Strigiformes
Family:Tytonidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Phodilus
Species:P. assimilis
Binomial name:Phodilus assimilis
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
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1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceylon_Bay_Owl_Abhilash_Arjunan.jpg
Image author: Dr.abhilash.ak | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceylon_Bay_Owl2_Abhilash_Arjunan.jpg
Image author: Dr.abhilash.ak | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Sri Lanka bay owl - Phodilus assimilis.
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Oriental bay owl

   ›      ›   Oriental bay owl - Phodilus badius.

The oriental bay owl (Phodilus badius) belongs to the family of barn owls, Tytonidae. These owl species are distributed in Northeast India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Southern China, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. These oriental bay owl species inhabit evergreen forests, foothill forests, mangrove forests and deciduous woodlands. There are four recognized subspecies of these birds.

Oriental bay owl - Overview

  • Scientific name: Phodilus badius
  • Species author: (Horsfield, 1821)
  • Synonyms: Strix badia Horsfield, 1821
  • Family: Tytonidae › Strigiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Common Name: Oriental bay owl
  • Other languages: Chinese: 栗鸮, French: Phodile calong, German: Maskeneule, Spanish: Lechuza cornuda oriental, Russian: Восточная масковая сипуха, Malay: Burung Jampok Pantai, Indonesian: Burung Serak Bukit, Hindi: ओरिएंटल बे-उल्लू
  • Other names: Bay owl
  • Distribution: Northeast India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Southern China, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia
  • Diet and feeding habits: large insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs
  • IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
The four recognized subspecies of Phodilus badius are: P. b. parvus Chasen, 1937, P. b. arixuthus Oberholser, 1932, P. b. badius (Horsfield, 1821) and P. b. saturatus Robinson, 1927. Phodilus badius is closely related to P. prigoginei (African bay owl) and P. assimilis (Sri Lanka bay owl).


Appearance, physical description and identification

The oriental bay owl is a small nocturnal bird, measuring 22 to 30 cm in length. It is short-winged and short-tailed. The ear-tufts are short and project out from the sides of head. The facial disc is heart shaped. The upperparts are rufous and spotted. The scapular feathers are rusty brown. The underside is whitish brown with sparse black dots. The bill is creamish. Their call is a loud, eerie, whistling sound.
Indian birds - Oriental bay owl - Phodilus badius
Birds of India - Image of Oriental bay owl - by Kalyan Varma
Birds of India - Oriental bay owl - Phodilus badius
Indian birds - Oriental bay owl - Phodilus badius
Indian birds - Oriental bay owl - Phodilus badius
Birds of India - Oriental bay owl - Phodilus badius

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The oriental bay owl subspecies P. b. saturatus is distributed in Northeast India, Myanmar, southern China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Their occurrence in Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh is unconfirmed. The populations in Singapore and Philippines are extinct.

The owl subspecies P. b. badius is distributed in southern Myanmar, southern Thailand, Malaysia and Greater Sundas Islands (Indonesia). The subspecies P. b. arixuthus is distributed in Middle Natuna Islands (Indonesia). The subspecies P. b. parvus is distributed in Belitung Island (Indonesia).

Ecosystem and habitat

These owl species inhabit submontane and montane forests, temperate forests, foothill forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, dense evergreen primary and secondary forests, evergreen wooded areas, hillside forests and valley woodlands. They prefer elevations from 200 to 1500 meters and also nearness to waterbody.

Diet and feeding habits

The diet of these owl species includes large insects (beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas etc) small mammals (bats, rats and mice), birds, snakes, lizards and frogs.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these oriental bay owl species is from March to May in northeast India. In Indonesian islands the breeding season is from October to December.

Migration and movement patterns

These oriental bay owl species are mostly sedentary and are residents in their ranges. Post breeding dispersal of juveniles takes place. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding.

Conservation status and concerns

The global population size of the oriental bay owl has not been quantified. The overall population size is considered to be stable. These species have large range and population. The owl species does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable neither under the population trend criterion nor under the population size criterion.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the oriental bay owl species and has listed it as of "Least Concern". The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) has listed these owls under Appendix II.

Taxonomy and scientific classification of Phodilus badius
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Strigiformes
Family:Tytonidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Phodilus
Species:P. badius
Binomial name:Phodilus badius
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
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1.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oriental_bay_owl.jpg
Image author: Kalyan Varma | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
2.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/faultier1985/8420428644/in/photostream/
Image author: Taro Sako | License: CC BY-NC 2.0 (as on 2016-11-23)
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oriental_bay_owl,_Phodilus_badius_-_Khao_Yai_National_Park.jpg
Image author: Rushenb | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Oriental bay owl - Phodilus badius.
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Common barn-owl

   ›      ›   Common barn-owl - Tyto alba

The common barn-owl (Tyto alba) belongs to the family of owls, Tytonidae. These owl species are distributed in Indian subcontinent, Australia, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle-East, Europe, North America, South America and Caribbean Islands. There are twenty eight recognized subspecies of these owl species and eleven of them are endemic to their native places.

Taxonomy of Common barn-owl

  • Scientific Name: Tyto alba
  • Common Name: Common barn-owl
  • French: Effraie des clochers; Russian: Обычный сипуха; Chinese: 共同的谷仓猫头鹰; Hindi: आम खलिहान-उल्लू; German: Schleiereule; Spanish: Lechuza común;
  • Other names: barn owl; Strix alba Scopoli, 1769; Strix pratincola Bonaparte, 1838; Tyto delicatula Gould, 1837;
  • Family: Tytonidae › Strigiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Scopoli, 1769)
There are twenty eight recognized subspecies of Tyto alba. It was earlier included in the genus Strix. Its synonyms are: Strix alba Scopoli, 1769, Strix pratincola Bonaparte, 1838 and Tyto delicatula Gould, 1837.

Description and identification

The common barn owl is a small/medium sized bird, measuring 30 to 45 cm in length and weighing 180 to 700 grams. The wingspan is 85 to 95 cm. The size varies widely among subspecies. The plumage on head and back is a mottled shade of grey or brown, depending upon the subspecies. The underparts vary from white to shades of brown, which may be mildly speckled in some subspecies. The face is white and is characteristic heart shaped. Their calls include screeches, wheezes, purrs and snoring sounds.
Indian birds - Common Barn owl - Tyto alba
Birds of India - Common Barn owl - Tyto alba
Birds of India - Common Barn owl - Tyto alba
Indian birds - Common barn-owl - Tyto alba
Indian birds - Common barn owl - Tyto alba
Birds of India - Common barn-owl - Tyto alba

Origin and distribution

Except for Artic and Antartic regions, these common barn owl species are spread over all the major continents. The subspecies T. a. niveicauda is endemic to Isla de la Juventud. The common barn-owl subspecies T. a. bondi is endemic to Roatán and Guanaja in the Bay Islands. The subspecies T. a. crassirostris (Boang barn owl) is endemic to Tanga Islands.

The common barn-owl subspecies T. a. detorta is endemic to the Cape Verde Islands. The subspecies T. a. gracilirostris (Canary barn owl) is endemic to Canary Islands. The owl subspecies T. a. punctatissima is endemic to the Galápagos islands. The subspecies T. a. ernesti is endemic to Corsica and Sardinia in the Mediterranean.

The common barn-owl subspecies T. a. schmitzi is endemic to Madeira and Porto Santo islands. The subspecies T. a. sumbaensis is endemic to Sumba (Indonesia). The subspecies T. a. bargei is endemic to Curaçao in the West Indies. The subspecies T. a. thomensis is endemic to São Tomé Island. The common barn-owl subspecies T. a. poensis is endemic to Bioko (Equatorial Guinea).

Ecosystem and habitat

The common barn owl ecosystem includes tropical and temperate deciduous or evergreen forests, Taiga, arid and semi-arid deserts and grasslands. They inhabit riparian woodlands, swamp forests, deciduous jungles, light secondary forests, thick scrub jungles, urban areas of cities, savanna and prairies.

Diet and feeding habits

The diet of these owl species mostly consists of small mammals (voles, shrews, rats, mice, moles, baby rabbits), birds, frogs, lizards, geckos, snakes, large insects and swarming termites. Strong and wide spreading talons are used to pick the prey animal.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season in common barn-owl is highly variable, given the wide range of habitats and ecosystems these owl species occupy. In most of the places they start nesting with the increase in temperatures and abundance of prey. These owl species are monogamous and show nesting site fidelity, returning to same site for nesting. Up to two broods may be raised in a year.

These owl species usually nest in tree holes, farm sheds, rock crevices, cracks in old lofty buildings and hay stacks. The cluster may contain up to five eggs and the chicks hatch out in about 30 days. The male common barn-owl hunts and brings food for the incubating female. The male is the main provider of feed for the chicks and the female until the chicks are four week old.

Movement and migration patterns

These common barn-owl species are mostly sedentary and are residents in their range. Post breeding dispersal of juveniles takes place. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding.

Conservation status and concerns

The global population size of these common barn-owl species is estimated to be around 5,000,000 individual birds. The overall population trend is considered to be stable. They have extremely large range and population. They do not approach the thresholds for population trend criterion and the population size criterion. Hence considered not "Vulnerable" to extinction.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these common barn-owl species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Tyto alba
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Strigiformes
Family:Tytonidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Tyto
Species:T. alba
Binomial name:Tyto alba
Distribution:Indian subcontinent, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Australia and Americas;
Diet and feeding habits:these owl species feeds on mall mammals, lizards, amphibians and insects;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

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1.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tyto_alba_-British_Wildlife_Centre,_Surrey,_England-8a_(1).jpg
Image author: Peter Trimming | License: CC BY 2.0 (as on 2016-11-15)
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barn_Owl_(Tyto_alba)_image.jpg
Image author: Tim Strater | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 (as on 2016-11-15)
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tyto_alba_ssp_guttata_in_Predjama_Slovenia_IMG_9403.jpg
Image author: Bjoertvedt | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
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Eastern grass-owl

   ›      ›   Eastern grass-owl - Tyto longimembris

The eastern grass-owl (Tyto longimembris) belongs to Tytonidae, the family of barn-owls.

These owl species are distributed in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. The eastern grass-owl species are medium-sized birds with characteristic heart-shaped faces. There are five recognized subspecies.

Taxonomy of Eastern grass-owl

  • Scientific Name: Tyto longimembris
  • Common Name: Eastern grass-owl
  • French: Effraie de prairie; German: Graseule; Spanish: Lechuza patilarga;
  • Other names: Australian grass owl; Strix Longimembris Jerdon, 1839;
  • Family: Tytonidae › Strigiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Jerdon, 1839)
The recognized five subspecies of Tyto longimembris are: T. l. longimembris (Jerdon, 1839), T. l. papuensis E. J. O. Hartert, 1929, T. l. chinensis E. J. O. Hartert, 1929, T. l. amauronota (Cabanis, 1872) and T. l. pithecops (Swinhoe, 1866). T. capensis is closely related to T. longimembris and it was even considered conspecific to eastern grass-owl.

Description

The eastern grass-owl is a medium sized bird, the male measuring 30 to 35 cm in length and weighing 250 to 400 grams. The female owl measures 35 to 40 cm in length and weighs 300 to 500 grams. The wingspan is 100 to 120 cm.

They have heart-shaped facial disc. It is white in males and pale orange buff in females. The upper parts are brown and buff and the underparts are very pale orange with heavy spotting.

The wings are barred dark brown and buff and have silvery spotting. The undertail is white with narrow gray barring. The wing tips are darker.

The dark brown eyes are relatively small for an owl and have black tear marks. Their call is a loud, hissing, rasping screeching sound.
Birds of India - Tyto longimembris
Indian birds - Eastern grass-owl - Tyto longimembris


Indian birds -Eastern grass-owl - Tyto longimembris
Birds of India - Eastern grass-owl - Tyto longimembris
Birds of India - Female Eastern grass-owl - Tyto longimembris
Indian birds - Eastern grass-owl (female) - Tyto longimembris
Indian birds - Eastern grass-owl - Tyto longimembris
Birds of India - Eastern grass-owl - Tyto longimembris

Habitat

The eastern grass-owl inhabits open grasslands, tall grass jungle, coastal heath, savanna, swamps and agricultural lands. They make tunnels through the dense grass or swamp vegetation which serve both for roosting and nesting.

Diet and feeding habits

These owl species are nocturnal and hunt their prey in the night. Their diet mainly consists of small mammals, particularly rodents. They also feed on insects and birds. They glide and hover about five meters above the ground.

On locating the prey with their acute hearing, they sweep on the prey. After catching the prey with their strong talons, they kill it and feed on it on the ground or carry it to the roost or nest.

Breeding

The breeding season of these owl species corresponds to the local weather and season. In India these birds usually breed during October to December whereas in China they breed during September to January.

These owl species nest on the open areas, under dense grass or sedge. The nest is a scraped hollow padded with twigs and leaves. The female owl incubates the eggs and the male hunts and feeds the female and chicks in the night.

Distribution

The owl subspecies T. l. longimembris is distributed in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesian islands (Sumba, Flores, Sulawesi and Tukangbesi) and Australia.

The subspecies T. l. papuensis is distributed in New Guinea. The subspecies T. l. chinensis is distributed in southeast China and Vietnam.

The subspecies T. l. amauronota is distributed in Philippines. The subspecies T. l. pithecops is distributed in Taiwan.

Movement and migration patterns

The eastern grass-owl is a resident species and may make local movements for feeding and breeding. The juvenile owls may make dispersal movement post-breeding and fledging.

Conservation status and concerns

The global population of these species has not been quantified. The overall population trend is on the decline. Considering the extremely large range of eastern grass-owl, it is inferred that it is not "Vulnerable" to extinction.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these owl species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Tyto longimembris
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Strigiformes
Family:Tytonidae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Tyto
Species:T. longimembris
Binomial name:Tyto longimembris
Distribution:India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar,Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Philippines, New Guinea and Australia;
Diet and feeding habits:rodents;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

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1.Image source: https://pixabay.com/en/eastern-grass-owl-tyto-longimembris-1134817/
Image author: ROverhate | License: CC0 Public Domain
2.Image source: http://tytotony.blogspot.in/2012/12/dont-ask-me-where-ive-been-im-here-now.html
Image author: Tony Ashton | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
3.Image source: http://tytotony.blogspot.in/2014/10/night-drive-proves-owling-success.html
Image author: Tony Ashton | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
4.Image source: http://tytotony.blogspot.in/2014/02/eastern-grass-owls-eye-intruder.html
Image author: Tony Ashton | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Eastern grass-owl - Tyto longimembris.
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