Spot-bellied Eagle Owl

Why in news?

• A wildlife team has stumbled upon a Spot-bellied Eagle Owl for the first time in the Seshachalam forest, Andhra Pradesh.

About Spot-bellied Eagle Owl:

• The Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl also known as the forest eagle-owl is a large bird of prey with a formidable appearance.
• IUCN Status: Least Concern
• It is a forest-inhabiting species found across the Indian Subcontinent.
• The bird is found on large trees in thick forests. It 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.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference to ‘Spot-bellied Eagle Owl’, consider the following statements:

1. It is exclusively found in Himalayas

2. It feeds on small rodents and lizards.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer