Sign In
Learn bits
Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

20/01/23 08:48 AM IST

Spot Bellied Eagle Owl

In News
  • A wildlife team recently stumbled upon a ‘Spot Bellied Eagle Owl’ (Bubo Nipalensis) for the first time in Seshachalam forest, and for the third time in Andhra Pradesh.
Spot Bellied Owl
  • The bird’s habitat, found on large trees in thick forests, is spread across the Indian subcontinent.
  • The bold predatory bird, measuring 20-25 inches in length and weighing between 1.5 kg and 2 kg, feeds on small rodents and lizards.
  • The bird makes a strange scream similar to humans and it is hence called the ‘Ghost of the Forest’ in India and ‘Devil Bird’ in Sri Lanka.
  • The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Status - Least Concern.
  • CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Evaluated’ for the spot-bellied eagle-owl (Bubo nipalensis) and listed in Appendix II.
Seshachalam hill ranges
  • Seshachalam hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats lies in southern Andhra Pradesh, Peninsular India.
  • The ranges were formed during the Precambrian era (3.8 billion to 540 million years ago).
  • The hilly terrain is rugged and picturesque with gorges, steep slopes, plateaus and valleys.
  • This area is also famous for its beautiful waterfalls like Talakona, Gundalakona and Gunjana.
  • In 2010, it was designated as a Biosphere Reserve.
  • It has large reserves of red sandalwood which is used in medicines, soaps, spiritual rituals, etc.
Source- The Hindu

More Related Current Affairs View All

08 Jan

Airline pilots’ body calls attention to lithium battery fire risk

'Recently, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) issued three position papers on the fire risk due to the use of lithium-ion batteries in air

Read More

08 Jan

V. Narayanan, who is set to take over as ISRO Chairman

'V. Narayanan, a noted rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert, is set to succeed S. Somanath as the next Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).' Dr. Narayanan

Read More

08 Jan

Rat-hole mining

'Several workers have been trapped for more than 12 hours in a coal “rat-hole” mine after it was flooded with water  in Dima Hasao district of Assam.' The rescu

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps