Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides)
Owlets are small or pygmy owls and generally found most active after dusk. But Asian Barred Owlets are surprisingly diurnal.! Found only in Indo-Malayan Ecozone, in all my sightings they were either seen solo or in pairs and preferably hunt for large insects or rodents. Another interesting observation was that they drive other birds, mostly bulbuls and magpie robins, from nearby branches by whistling or charging.!! They are mostly buff colored and easily identified with the 3-4 bands of broad streaks on belly and flanks and look very fluffy.
Distinctive Identifiers:
1. Buff colored barrings on the wings.
2. Barred body, both upper parts and under parts
3. Bands of barring streaks on belly
4. Typical yellow owl eyes with black iris.
5. Just slightly visible eyebrow bands, but prominent enough.
So when you go out to spot them, make sure its afternoon or late afternoon, that’s when these are most active, but not at nights! Have a look at these pictures for more clarity!
Asian Barred Owlets pair
Asian Barred Owlets discussing deeply about my presence!
Asian Barred Owlet surprised perhaps!
Asian Barred Owlet annoyed at me that I wouldnt leave yet.
Asian Barred Owlet caught a rat.
Another great picture. You manage to see the birds through the leaves which is sometimes difficult. Just now in the UK the trees are beginning to bud but the branches are still quite bare and we can see the birds clearly.
Posted by janeslog | March 30, 2012, 12:58 PMHaha.. I just feel lucky to spot them
Posted by Hindupur Avinash | March 30, 2012, 2:40 PMWow!great post there!
Posted by |nabadip| | March 30, 2012, 1:24 PMThank you Nabadip!
Posted by Hindupur Avinash | March 30, 2012, 2:40 PMReblogged this on Ann Novek–With the Sky as the Ceiling and the Heart Outdoors.
Posted by narhvalur | March 30, 2012, 2:50 PMThank you Ann
I feel great that you have reblogged my post on your blog!!
Posted by Hindupur Avinash | April 1, 2012, 11:30 AMCongratulations! Read here: http://havehest.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/the-versatile-award-no-6-thanks-a-million-folks/
Cheers;
Ann
Posted by narhvalur | April 1, 2012, 10:44 AMThank you very much Ann! I feel very honored!A wonderful weekend gift for me
Posted by Hindupur Avinash | April 1, 2012, 11:33 AMI really like this post. I think what you are doing here is great for bird identification. I’m off to see what/where IIT Guwahati is. My youngest, who just came up behind me said, “those are really, really cool” about your photos.
Posted by Amy Maranto | May 3, 2012, 6:38 PMThanks for your appreciation! I am trying to bring the beauty of birds to my campus community and the world. IITs are one of the cream engineering institutes in India. Say “Hi” to my young friend there
Posted by Avinash | May 6, 2012, 10:28 AM