Asian brown wood-owl

Strix leptogrammica

SUBFAMILY

Striginae, Tribe Strigini

TAXONOMY

Strix leptogrammica Temminck, 1831, Borneo. Fourteen subspecies are recognized.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

English: Himalayan brown Owl, Himalayan wood-owl, Bartel's wood-owl, Malaysian wood-owl; French: Chouette leptogramme; German: Malaienkauz; Spanish: Cárabo Oriental.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

15.7–21.7 in (40–55 cm). 17.6–24 oz (500–700 g). The owl has a whitish to light brown facial disc, brown eyes surrounded by a black band, a brown chin, and a white throat. Upperparts are

lighter chestnut brown with some white or light bars on the shoulders, wings, and tail. Underparts are white to buff with fine brown bars (leptogrammica means finely barred stomach). Legs are feathered.

DISTRIBUTION

Forested areas on the west and east of India, Himalayas through to the coast of China, most of southeastern Asia including Sri Lanka, southern Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Borneo.

HABITAT

Thick, undisturbed forests both evergreen and deciduous.

BEHAVIOR

Sedentary; like most of the wood-owls it is very nocturnal and secretive.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Small mammals, birds (up to the size of pheasants), fruit bats, reptiles, and some insects. Still hunting from perch.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Nests in tree cavities, caves, and sometimes on cliff ledges. Lays two eggs. Incubation is 30–33 days.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not globally threatened. Suffers from deforestation, but is secure in national parks and protected areas throughout its range.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

None known.