Indian Eagle-Owl

Bubo bengalensis

Least ConcernLegendaryVertebratesRockyCavity nestLarge · 1.1 kg

About the Indian Eagle-Owl

The Indian eagle-owl, or the Bengal eagle-owl or rock eagle-owl, is a large horned owl species native to hilly and rocky scrub forests in the Indian subcontinent. It is splashed with brown and grey, and has a white throat patch with black small stripes. It was earlier treated as a subspecies of the Eurasian eagle-owl. It is usually seen in pairs. It has a deep resonant booming call that may be heard at dawn and dusk.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

This species is often considered a subspecies of the Eurasian eagle-owl Bubo bubo and is very similar in appearance. The facial disk is unmarked and has a black border, a feature that is much weaker in the Eurasian form. The base of the primaries is unbanded and rufous. The tail bands have the tawny bands wider than the black ones. Additionally, a large pale scapular patch is visible on the folded wing. The inner claws are the longest. The last joint of the toes are unfeathered. The taxonomy of the group is complex due to a large amount of variation.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Indian Eagle-Owl sounds like

Recording: Jairam Vijayan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in India.

When to see it

Peak activity in February · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Indian Eagle-Owl for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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