Description
The Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl is a large species of owl. It measures from 55 to 65 cm (22 to 26 in) long. A reported weight range of 1.3–1.4 kg (2.9–3.1 lb) is probably on the low end for the species, since those weights are roughly the same as those of the Barred Eagle-Owl, which is considerably smaller going on total length, standard measurements and appearance. Other than size, the Barred Eagle-Owl is similar in appearance to this species. Among standard measurements, this species typically measure 42.5 to 47 cm (16.7 to 19 in) in wing chord length, 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) in tail length, 6–6.2 cm (2.4–2.4 in) in tarsal length and 5.2–5.4 cm (2.0–2.1 in) in culmen length. The subspecies of Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl found on Sri Lanka, B. n. blighti, is considerably smaller than mainland birds, with a wing chord length of 37–41.2 cm (15–16.2 in) and a tail length of 18.4–21.5 cm (7.2–8.5 in).
The Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl is overall a brownish bird, with dark, coarse brown coloration over the back and upper wings. The throat and underparts are mainly pale fulvous in color with black and white horizontal stripes along the flanks of the body that become broad spots on the abdomen and undertail coverts. On the wings, the primaries are dark brown with lighter brown stripes and the secondaries are more heavily barred with buff-brown coloration. The lores are coverted in bristly feathers and the cheeks are brownish-white with black feather shafts. The large ear tufts slant off to the sides.
This owl is noted for its strange, human-sounding call, it was suggested that it be the cryptid known as ulama or "Devil Bird" in Sri Lanka. A local name is Maha Bakamuna ("large horned owl"). According to http://www.cryptozoology.com, in July 2001 it was confirmed that ulama description perfectly matches Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl. This call consists of a scream, which rises and then falls in tone. The territorial call of the species consists of low hoots, consistent with most eagle-owls, with two-second intervals between hoos.
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