Rare Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl Spotted: Maharashtra’s Melghat forests have been put in the spotlight after a rare wildlife sighting, the first-ever documentation of a Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl in the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The sighting, within the Sipna forest range, has added to the documented birdlife in the region and highlights the wealth of biodiversity found within Central India’s forests.
The rare owl was seen in the Semadoh section of the Sipna wildlife sanctuary by local nature guides. The sighting is significant as it is the second recorded spotting of the species in Central India, with the previous recording in Maharashtra’s Pench Tiger Reserve.
It was recorded thanks to local nature guides Bhola Babu Mavaskar, Avinash Meshram, Ashok Mavaskar, and Akshay Bhola Mavaskar.
“I was familiar with the Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, but did not immediately realise that this was the same species. A closer examination later confirmed its identity,” Saurabh Jawanjal said.
What Makes The Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl Special?
The Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl (Ketupa nipalensis) or Forest Eagle Owl is a large owl species found in parts of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
It has distinctive tufts above its ears and has an attractive face and spotted belly, making it one of the impressive nocturnal hunters found within Asian forests.
Here are some interesting facts about this species:
- Scientific name: Ketupa nipalensis
- Common name: Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl
- Length: 50- 65 cm
- Weight: Commonly recorded at 1.3- 1.5 kg
- Habitat: Forests, woodland and areas where they can roost and nest.
- Distribution: Parts of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
This species is much larger than many smaller owls which can live in open farmland. It is associated with forested areas and, due to its large size, is an important predator.
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Melghat Tiger Reserve
The Melghat Tiger Reserve is located within Amravati district in Maharashtra. The reserve is part of the beautiful Satpura hill range. It contains some beautiful scenery with deep valleys and plenty of forest.
The reserve is famous for its dry deciduous forests, specifically teak trees. There is a wide variety of wildlife living here, including Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer and many different bird species.
The reserve has a great variety of birds. During its golden jubilee period, the reserve recorded approximately 340 different species of birds. This was recorded in January 2023 following a thorough survey.
The area is also home to the critically endangered Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti). The species was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1997.
There are many different owl species living here, showing just how important this area is for nocturnal birds. “I initially thought it was just another owl, so I took a photograph and shared it on social media,” Bhola Mavaskar said.
As they are familiar with the forest paths and animal behaviour, they can often help identify species that might otherwise go unseen. Due to the observations of Bhola Babu Mavaskar, Avinash Meshram, Ashok Mavaskar, and Akshay Bhola Mavaskar, the rare owl was identified.
