Dusky eagle-owl

The dusky eagle-owl (Bubo coromandus) is an owl species in the family Strigidae that is widespread in South and Southeast Asia. The type specimen used to describe the species was collected on the Coromandel Coast, which was used for the specific epithet.[2] It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The species's extent of occurrence is estimated at 9,250,000 km2 (3,570,000 sq mi).[1][3] However, volunteer generated databases such as eBird.org suggest that the available extent of occurrence is a vast over-estimate.

Dusky eagle-owl
Dusky eagle-owl in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Bubo
Species:
B. coromandus
Binomial name
Bubo coromandus
(Latham, 1790)

Taxonomy

The species was first described by John Latham in 1790 as Strix coromanda. This is the nominate subspecies that occurs in South Asia. In the 20th century, the following subspecies was described:[2]

  • Bubo coromandus klossii described by Herbert C. Robinson in 1911 was an adult dark brown male eagle-owl collected in north Perak, Malaysia. Only four skins are known. This subspecies is thought to occur in Southeast Asia.[2][4]

Description

The dusky eagle-owl is a large greyish-brown owl with prominent ear tufts. Its underparts are greyish white with some dark brown streaks, and its dark brown wings have some whitish streaks. B. c. klossii is similar to the nominate subspecies but much darker and with no obvious whitish markings on wings and scapulars. Wings are 380-435 mm, and tail is 187-224 mm.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The dusky eagle-owl occurs from Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh to Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia into China.[1] In Peninsular Malaysia, it has been recorded in oil palm plantations during surveys carried out between autumn 2009 and 2010 in the states of Selangor, Perak, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan.

Uses a range of habitats including forests, wooded wetlands, agricultural areas with scattered groves and trees, and roadside avenues with old large trees.[2] Usually never far from water and also found close to human habitation.

Behaviour and ecology
A dusky eagle-owl pair in Faridabad, Haryana, India

The dusky eagle-owl is not deterred by daylight though is largely active at night emerging from its roost shortly before sunset. The species has been seen hunting during the day during cloudy weather.[2]

The nesting season is from November to April, with most of the breeding observed during December and January.[2] The dusky eagle-owls use stick nests of other large birds on trees such as Ficus, Mitragyna and Dalbergia.[2]

This owl species is one of the least studied species in the world and the majority of information on its biology is from anecdotal observations. There is a need to carry out focussed studies on this species' habits.[2]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Bubo coromandus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22688992A93213395. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22688992A93213395.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. König, Claus; Weick, Friedhelm (2008). Owls of the world. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2.
  3. BirdLife International (2018). "Dusky Eagle Bubo coromandus". BirdLife International. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
  4. Gyldenstolpe, N. C. (1920). "A Nominal List of the Birds at present known to inhabit Siam". The Ibis. Eleventh Series. 2 (4): 735–780.
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