Madagascar Long-eared Owl
Encyclopedia
The Madagascar Owl, Asio madagascariensis, also known as the Madagascar Long-eared Owl, is a medium sized owl
endemic to the island of Madagascar
. It is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Long-eared Owl
, Asio otus. It ranges from 40 – in length, making it the largest of the country's owls; females are larger than males.
Its upperparts, crown and nape are brownish-black while its underparts are buff with black streaking. It has a brown facial disk, black bill and orange eyes. Its long ear tufts are dark brown, flecked with tan, matching the head.
Its call is usually a series of barks, varying in pitch and volume, but sometimes it will utter a series of more hoot-like notes, described by some as ulooh.
It is generally found at elevations ranging from sea level to 1600 metres (5,249.3 ft), though it occasionally ranges as high as 1800 metres (5,905.5 ft). It inhabits a variety of woodland habitats.
Like most owls, the Madagascar Owl is nocturnal, roosting by day in dense foliage. It feeds mainly on small mammals, hunting either in the forest or in open areas nearby.
Little is known about its breeding biology. It is thought to lay its eggs in stick nests created by other animals.
This species is not globally threatened, but its status is not certain.
Owl
Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions . Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish...
endemic to the island of Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. It is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
The Long-eared Owl - Asio otus is a species of owl which breeds in Europe, Asia, and North America. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, family Strigidae, which contains most species of owl...
, Asio otus. It ranges from 40 – in length, making it the largest of the country's owls; females are larger than males.
Its upperparts, crown and nape are brownish-black while its underparts are buff with black streaking. It has a brown facial disk, black bill and orange eyes. Its long ear tufts are dark brown, flecked with tan, matching the head.
Its call is usually a series of barks, varying in pitch and volume, but sometimes it will utter a series of more hoot-like notes, described by some as ulooh.
It is generally found at elevations ranging from sea level to 1600 metres (5,249.3 ft), though it occasionally ranges as high as 1800 metres (5,905.5 ft). It inhabits a variety of woodland habitats.
Like most owls, the Madagascar Owl is nocturnal, roosting by day in dense foliage. It feeds mainly on small mammals, hunting either in the forest or in open areas nearby.
Little is known about its breeding biology. It is thought to lay its eggs in stick nests created by other animals.
This species is not globally threatened, but its status is not certain.