Madagascar eared owl

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Madagascar eared owl
Madagascar eared owl

Madagascar eared owl

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Owls (Strigiformes)
Family : Real owls (Strigidae)
Genre : Ear Owls ( Asio )
Type : Madagascar eared owl
Scientific name
Asio madagascariensis
( Smith , 1834)

The Madagascar long-eared owl ( Asio madagascariensis ), also known as the Madagascar long-eared owl , is a species from the family of real owls . It occurs exclusively in Madagascar .

Appearance

With a height of 36 to 50 centimeters, it is the largest representative of its species. Females are significantly larger than males, who reach a maximum body length of 40 centimeters.

Like all eared owls, it has striking feather ears . However, these are further apart than is the case with other ear owls. The face veil is predominantly light brown. However, the region around the eyes is blackish brown. It is dark brown on the upper side of the body with individual red-brown to ocher-colored spots and stripes. The underside of the body is light brown with noticeable dark vertical stripes and a few horizontal stripes. The eyes are yellowish to orange in color. The beak and toes are blackish.

In Madagascar, it is the largest species of owl and can hardly be confused because of its conspicuous feather ears and orange eyes. The short-eared owl is smaller, has brown eyes and is densely striated on the underside of the body.

distribution and habitat

The Madagascar eared owl is an endemic owl of Madagascar. It colonizes evergreen rainforests, gallery forests and is also found in secondary forests. They are also found in drier deciduous forests. Their altitude distribution ranges from the lowlands to altitudes of 1600 to 1800 meters above sea level.

Way of life

The Madagascar eared owl is a crepuscular and nocturnal species of owl. It transmits in the dense foliage of trees and otherwise lives mostly hidden in forests. Their food spectrum consists mainly of vertebrates, with mammals predominating. The prey also includes small lemurs and bats. Small birds play a smaller role in their range of prey. The well-developed beak and strong claws suggest that it tends to strike larger prey than other eared owls. It finds its prey mainly in forests and on open terrain that is directly adjacent to the forest.

Reproductive biology has not yet been adequately researched. All clutches found were found in the abandoned nests of other large bird species. The eggs are probably laid between August and October.

Etymology and history of research

The first description of the Madagascar eared owl was in 1834 by Andrew Smith under the scientific name Otus Madagascariensis . The type specimen for the description came from Madagascar. Only later was it added to the Asio genus, which was introduced by Mathurin-Jacques Brisson in 1760 . This is sometimes written as "axio" and was used in Latin for "owls with ears". The specific epithet refers to the location or habitat of this species.

supporting documents

Single receipts

  1. ↑ a b König et al., P. 482.
  2. ↑ a b Andrew Smith, p. 316.
  3. ^ Mathurin-Jacques Brisson, p. 28.
  4. ↑ James A. Jobling, p. 57.

literature

  • Claus König , Friedhelm Weick: Owls of the World. Christopher Helm, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2 .
  • James A. Jobling: Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names . Christopher Helm, London 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4 .
  • Andrew Smith: African Zoology . In: South African quarterly journal . tape 2 , no. 4 , 1834, pp. 305-320 ( online [accessed December 18, 2014]).
  • Mathurin-Jacques Brisson: Ornithologie, ou, Méthode contenant la division des oiseaux en ordres, sections, genres, especes & leurs variétés: a laquelle on a joint une description exacte de chaque espece, avec les citations des auteurs qui en ont traité, les noms quils leur ont donnés, ceux que leur ont donnés les différentes nation, & les Noms vulgaris . tape 1 . Ad Ripam Augustinorum, apud Cl. Joannem-Baptistam Bauche, bibliopolam, ad Insigne S. Genovesae, & S. Joannis in Deserto, Paris 1760 ( online [accessed December 19, 2014]).

Web link

Commons : Madagascar long-eared owl ( Asio madagascariensis )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files