Otus balli
The Andaman Scops Owl, Otus balli, is a diminutive and highly camouflaged nocturnal raptor endemic to the Andaman Islands. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing around 80-100 grams, it is characterized by its rich rufous-brown plumage, finely vermiculated with darker markings, providing superb camouflage against tree bark. Its most distinctive field marks include prominent ear-tufts that can be raised or lowered, piercing dark brown eyes, and a pale, often indis...
This owl primarily inhabits dense moist evergreen and deciduous forests, often found in lowlands and foothills. It also tolerates disturbed forests, plantations, and even gardens on the Andaman Islands.
Its diet primarily consists of large insects such as moths, beetles, and grasshoppers, supplemented by small vertebrates like lizards, geckos, and occasionally rodents, typically captured from perches.
As a strictly nocturnal hunter, the Andaman Scops Owl roosts discreetly during the day, often pressing itself against tree trunks, relying heavily on its cryptic plumage for concealment. It employs a classic 'sit-and-wait' foraging strategy, perching motionless before swooping down on unsuspectin...
The Andaman Scops Owl is strictly endemic to the Andaman Islands, an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, part of India. Its breeding and resident range encompasses the major islands, including North, Middle, South Andaman, and potentially Little Andaman Island, though specific records from the latt...
Least Concern
- The Andaman Scops Owl is entirely endemic to the Andaman Islands, meaning it's found nowhere else on Earth. - Its scientific name, 'balli', honors Valentine Ball, a British geologist who worked in India during the 19th century. - Despite being an owl, its small size and rufous plumage make it i...