Band-bellied owl
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Pulsatrix melanota

The band-bellied owl (Pulsatrix melanota ) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Appearance

The band-bellied owl is fairly large, ranging from 44 to 48 cm (17 to 19 in) long. An analysis of the weight of 13 birds of both sexes showed a range of 590 to 1,250 g (1.30 to 2.76 lb) and an average of 873 g (1.925 lb). The adult has a dark brown facial disk and white "brows" over dark reddish brown eyes. Its upperparts are dark chocolate brown with scattered buffy-white spots. The tail is also dark brown, with thin white bars. The upper breast is reddish brown with buff barring. The rest of the underparts are white to creamy with reddish brown barring. The juvenile's plumage has not been described.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Biogeographical realms

The nominate subspecies of band-bellied owl is found on the eastern slope of the Andes from central Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru. P. m. philoscia is found from there to west-central Bolivia. In elevation it ranges from about 650 to 2,200 m (2,130 to 7,220 ft). It primarily inhabits the interior of humid montane forest and foothills rainforest but is also found on forest edges and in clearings with scattered trees.

Band-bellied owl habitat map

Biome

Band-bellied owl habitat map
Band-bellied owl
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Habits and Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

The band-bellied owl is nocturnal. Its diet is poorly studied but is known to include large insects.

Mating Habits

Though there is no published information on the band-bellied owl's breeding phenology, it is presumed to nest in natural tree cavities.

Population

Population number

The IUCN has assessed the band-bellied owl as being of Least Concern. However, the species is poorly known and "could be threatened by habitat loss".

References

1. Band-bellied owl Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band-bellied_owl
2. Band-bellied owl on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22689183/130161594
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/698092

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