Spotted Owlet

The spotted owlet (Athene brama) is a small owl which breeds in tropical Asia from mainland India to Southeast Asia. A common resident of open habitats including farmland and human habitation, it has adapted to living in cities. They roost in small groups in the hollows of trees or in cavities in rocks or buildings. It nests in a hole in a tree or building, laying 3–5 eggs. They are often found near human habitation. The species shows great variation including clinal variation in size and forms a superspecies with the very similar little owl.

Scientific Name : Athene Brama

Family : Strigidae

Order : Strigiformes

Class : Aves

Type : Owls

Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)

Size : 21

Compare Size : Mayna -

Wingspan : 14.3 - 17.1 cm

Weight : 110 - 114 g

Migratory : Resident

Sex Alike : Yes

Nesting Season : The breeding season is November to April

Other Names :

Hindi : खकूसत, सामान्य खूसट

Marathi : ठिपकेदार पिंगळा, घोगड, पिंगळा

Habitat:
A common resident of open habitats including farmland and human habitation, it has adapted to living in cities

Breeding:
It nests in a hole in a tree or building, laying 3–5 eggs

Feeding:
Rodents, bats, toads, may also take small snakes, scorpions and molluscs


Identification Features

Male & Female
Upperparts grey-brown, heavily spotted with white
Underparts white, streaked with brown
Head has pale-brown facial disc spotted with white
Iris yellow
Supercilium or eyebrow white
Throat white band

SIGHTINGS

Date Location
2019-01-31 31 Jan 2019 Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan
2019-02-01 01 Feb 2019 Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Similar Birds

(Owls)