Jungle Owlet

Glaucidium radiatum

Least ConcernUncommonInvertebratesWoodlandCavity nestMedium · 101 g

About the Jungle Owlet

The jungle owlet or barred jungle owlet is native to the Indian Subcontinent. The species is often found singly, in pairs or small groups, and they are usually detected by their calls at dawn and dusk. There are two subspecies, with that found in the Western Ghats sometimes considered a full species.

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

ID tip

This small owlet has a rounded head and is finely barred all over. There is no clear facial disk and the wings are brownish and the tail is narrowly barred in white. There are two subspecies, the nominate form is found in the plains of India and Sri Lanka, while G. r. malabaricum of the Western Ghats is shorter tailed and shows more brown on the head. It has been suggested that the latter may warrant full species status. The plumage on the upper parts is dark black-brown barred with white. The wing coverts have white and rufous patches.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Jungle Owlet sounds like

Recording: Mandar Bhagat · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Sudipto Roy · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Jairam Vijayan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

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

Easily confused with

Learn the Jungle Owlet 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.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.