Barred Eagle Owl

They are also called the Malay eagle-owl. It is a fairly large owl but relatively small eagle-owl, this species ranges from 40-48 cm in length. There is almost no size sexual dimorphism in this species (although some females are a bit larger than the males) and adjacent island subspecies vary dramatically in size, both unusual attributes for eagle-owls. It is most distinctive due to its barred underparts, large but sideways-slanting ear tufts, a white bar running from the eyebrows through the front of the ear tufts and much more heavily marked breast than the belly. The face and lores are a dirty greyish white colour.

The eyes are usually a dark brown colour, but occasions, where this species has had yellow eyes. The bill and cere are pale yellows, with an occasional greenish tinge to the cere. The upperparts are grey-brown, crossed and mottled with several zigzag bars of rufous-tawny colour, being broadest on the back. The upper-tail is dark brown with about six whitish or tawny bars. The tarsi are feathered to the toe joint. The juvenile barred eagle-owl is pure white in their natal down. There are three subspecies;

B. sumatranus sumatranus- Also referred to as the nominate subspecies. Found on Sumatra, Bangka and the Malay Peninsula. This race is relatively small and the bands on the belly are not as dark or as widely spaced as on Javan birds. The wing chord is 323-358 mm. The tail is 183-190 mm. Body mass of one bird was reportedly 620 g.
B. sumatranus strepitans- Found on Java and Bali. This race is considerably larger than the nominate race with broader and dense barring on the underparts. The wing chord is 370-417 mm. Weight in this race can reportedly range from 1,427-1,606 g, with an average of 1,525 g.
B. sumatranus tenuifasciatus- Found only on the island of Borneo. This race is similar in size to the nominate race but its bands are much finer and closer together. The wing chord is 323-350 mm.

Habitat

It is found in Brunei, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is a resident of evergreen forests with pools or streams but also ranges into large gardens with tall, densely foliated trees, such as the Bogor Botanical Gardens found in West Java as well as wooded groves in the cultivated country, both sometimes not far from human habitations. It usually ranges in elevation from sea-level to roughly 1,000 m but can range up to about 1,600 m or more at locations like Mount Gede in West Java and Mount Singgalang in West Sumatra.

Diet

Little is known of the dietary habits of the barred eagle-owl indicates it has a very broad, opportunistic diet. Much like other eagle-owls, the barred eagle-owl has large, powerful feet for its size with large, heavy, slightly curved talons, indicating a diverse diet that can extend to relatively large prey given the opportunity. Known foods have included large insects (i.e. grasshoppers and beetles), birds, small mammals (especially rodents including many mice and rats), and reptiles, large snakes. When held in captivity, this species is not choosy and will consume fresh meat from fish, birds and mammals.

Breeding

This species probably pairs for life. Barred eagle-owls seems to be very attached to a particular nesting site. If not disturbed, they will occupy the same territory for several years and, if one partner dies, the surviving mate will maintain the same territory with another owl parent. This species nests either in large tree cavities or, in Java and Sumatra, on top of the large fern Asplenium nidus. The only other known nesting location has been at the base of an epiphyte large enough to form a sheltered hollow against a large branch. Only one egg is laid, the smallest clutch size of any owl. The egg is white with an oval shape, measuring about 59.8 mm × 47.9 mm. In Java, eggs have been found from February to April and nests with young from May to June. In Sumatra, nestlings or dependent young have been observed in March through May and in Borneo, young have been observed in February through March.

Population

According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Least Concern(LC). The global population size has not been quantified and the number of mature individuals are unknown. but the species is reported to be uncommon to fairly common. The population trend is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Threats

There are currently no threats to this species.

Conservation

There are no conservation action for this species as it is so widespread across its range.