Himalayan Tawny Owl

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Himalayan Tawny Owl
Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Owls (Strigiformes)
Family : Real owls (Strigidae)
Genre : Strix
Type : Himalayan Tawny Owl
Scientific name
Strix nivicola
( Blyth , 1845)

The Himalayan Tawny Owl ( Strix nivicola , Syn . : Strix nivicolum ) is a species from the family of the real owl (Strigidae). In older literature it is still listed as a subspecies of the tawny owl . In more recent literature it is given its own species status. It occurs in three subspecies exclusively in Southeast Asia. In its appearance it resembles the tawny owl that also occurs in Central Europe. However, it is drawn a little coarser than this species. Exact population data are not available for the Himalayan tawny owl; but it is considered relatively frequent.

features

With a body size of about 33 to 40 centimeters and a weight of 375 to 392 g, the Himalayan tawny owl is a medium-sized species within its genus. Feather ears are missing. The top of the body is dark brown with white spots. Dark vertical stripes are missing. The underside of the body is whitish to pale red-brown with very broad, black longitudinal stripes and diffuse horizontal stripes.

It can be confused with the tawny owl. The upper side of the body, however, is noticeably darkly striped. The mountain owl is considerably larger and has a striking pale, darkly zoned facial veil .

Vocalizations

The typical call of the Himalayan tawny owl is a double "Huhu", which is repeated with a pause of a few seconds. This call differs significantly from the well-known call "Huh-Huhuhu-Huuuh" of the closely related tawny owl.

Distribution area

The distribution area of ​​the Himalayan tawny owl extends in the Himalayan region from Himachal Pradesh to Nepal and the southeast of Tibet as well as the east of China and Taiwan. In the southern direction of distribution it occurs in the north of India, in the south of Assam, in the north-west of Burma and in the north of Vietnam. There are also sightings from the northeast of Pakistan; however, these are not yet considered to be adequately documented.

The Himalayan tawny owl is basically a resident bird. It inhabits coniferous forests and tree-lined rock canyons at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,650 meters above sea level.

Way of life

The Himalayan tawny owl is a crepuscular and nocturnal species of owl. He transmits in trees. Its food spectrum includes large insects such as beetles, small mammals and small birds.

The breeding season begins with courtship in deep winter and continues into April. It nests in tree hollows or crevices in the rock. Apart from that, reproductive biology has only been poorly investigated. Presumably it is very similar to that of the tawny owl.

Systematics

Three subspecies are given:

subspecies First description by Distribution area
S. n. Nivicolum ( Blyth ), 1845 Northeast India , Nepal to Southeast China , North Burma and Vietnam
S. n. Ma ( HL Clark ), 1907 Northeast China and Korea
S. n. Yamadae Yamashina , 1936 Taiwan

supporting documents

Single receipts

  1. ↑ a b König et al., P. 364
  2. ↑ a b König et al., P. 363
  3. ↑ a b c Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive, Strix nivicolum ( online , accessed March 1, 2016)
  4. ↑ Strix nivicolum . BirdLife International , accessed February 25, 2016 .

literature