The Madagascar owl (Asio madagascariensis), also known as the Madagascan owlorMadagascar long-eared owl,[1] is a medium-sized owlendemic to the island of Madagascar.[3] It is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the long-eared owl (Asio otus).[4]
The Madagascar owl is similar in appearance to the Holarctic long-eared owl in that it sits tall and at rest shows prominent ear tufts. The plumage is mainly brown with darker streaks and bars. It has distinctive bright orange eyes. The adults are brown above, and mottled with buff, especially across the mantle. The face is plain dark buff, with darker brown feathers around the eyes, on the edge of the facial disc, and on the ear tufts. The underparts are light brown with darker brown streaks which fade away towards the vent. The juvenile is covered in white down contrasting with a black facial disk and dark brown wings.[5] It ranges from 40–50 cm (16–20 in) in length, making it the largest of the country's owls; females are larger than males.[3]
Its call is usually a series of barks, varying in pitch and volume, but sometimes it will utter a series of more hoot-like notes, described by some as ulooh.[3]
The Madagascar owl is endemic to Madagascar, where it is widespread in the west and centre of the island.[6] It is generally found at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,600 m (5,200 ft),[3] though it occasionally ranges as high as 1,800 m (5,900 ft).[7] It inhabits a variety of woodland habitats, mainly in the drier western forests, although it appears quite adaptable, and also occurs in degraded habitats, even on the central plateau where the forest cover has been fragmented.[6]
Little is known about its breeding biology.[7] It is thought to lay its eggs in stick nests created by other animals, like the closely related long-eared owl.[6]
^ abcdeMorris, Pete; Hawkins, Frank (1998). Birds of Madagascar: A Photographic Guide. Mountfield, East Sussex, UK: Pica Press. p. 204. ISBN1-873403-45-3.
^Sibley, Charles Gald; Monroe, Burt Leavelle (1990). Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. Yale University Press. p. 182. ISBN0-300-04969-2.
^Kemp, Alan; Kemp, Meg (1998). Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands. New Holland. pp. 274–275. ISBN1-85974-100-2.
^Goodman, Steven M.; Creighton, G. Ken; Raxworthy, Christopher (1991). "The Food Habits of the Madagascar Long-Eared Owl in south-eastern Madagascar". Bonner zoologische Beiträge. 42 (1): 21–26.
