Spotted Owlet

Latin Name: 
Athene brama
Category: 
Size: 
20cm
Description: 

Sexes alike. No ear tufts. Greyish-brown plumage, spotted white. Yellowish eyes; broken whitish-buff nuchal collar. Young birds more thickly-marked white; darkish streaks below breast. Pairs or small parties; roosts during day in leafy branches, tree cavities or cavities in walls; active in some localities during  daytime; disturbed birds fly to neighbouring tree or branch and bob and stare at intruder.

Habitat: 
open forests, orchards, cultivation, vicinity of habitation.
Food: 
insects, small rodents, lizards, birds.
Distribution: 
throughout area, up to about 1,800m in outer Himalaya.
Call: 
Call Description: 
assortment of scolding and cackling notes, screeches and chuckles.
National Status: