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(- or Indian Eagle
Owl, or Rock Horned Owl, or Bengal Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo bengalensis,
Franklin)
Rarest creature
Apparently the rarest avian creature in the
Auroville bioregion is the Bubo bubo bengalensis, the Indian sub-species
of the Eurasian eagle owl. Confined to peninsular India, Sind in
Pakistan and Marakan in Burma (where it may now be extinct), it
faces a high risk of total extinction in the near future (conservative
estimates put the country-wide population of breeding birds at less
than 2,000 pairs).
Reasons for its endangered condition
An inhabitant of the deeply scored ravines and
gullies, it clings to a precarious existence as human pressure drives
it out of its preferred habitat (land development activities treat
ravines and gullies as sewage dumps, the rock faces are intensely
mined for pebbles and 'blue metal chips', and erosion leads to build-up
of silt, which slowly but steadily fills up the canyons). The indiscriminate
use of pesticides in the environment, which steadily build up in
the tissues of this bird, rendering it infertile (adding to its
mortality), is another apparently insurmountable problem. Add to
this local mythical beliefs (which consider owls as creatures of
ill omen and harbingers of death) and the general apathy towards
the plight of this species by environmentalists themselves, and
their future looks very bleak indeed.
Peculiar and distinctive 'who-whooo' call
This impressive bird, with its arresting orange-yellow
eyes, can be seen in the Ravena, Forecomers, Success, Utility and
Bommaiyapalayam canyons. It spends the day sitting motionless in
a cleft in a rock face or under a bush, relying on its cryptically
coloured plumage for camouflage. At dusk it sets out from its hiding
place, preceded and accompanied by its peculiar and distinctive
'who-whooo' call, which though not loud, has a curious far-carrying
quality.
Predatory nature
The various species of rodents found in these
parts (gerbils, mice, mole rats and rats) constitute the prey base
of 'Bubo bubo' (a single owl has been known to consume nearly 300
rodents in a year), and the predatory nature of the species keeps
their numbers in check. At times other birds, snakes, lizards, frogs
and even other owls are consumed.
Breeding habits
The breeding period in these parts of its range
is from December to April. Sometimes three, but more commonly two,
eggs are laid on the ground in a sheltered spot among the rocky
cliffs (no nest is made) at staggered intervals. After an incubation
period of approximately 45 days, the eggs hatch, again at irregular
intervals, so much so that when the last chick emerges the eldest
is 15 days old and capable of feeding by itself. Usually only one
chick survives (cannibalism and Cainism is all too frequent - the
larger chick killing and eating its younger nest mates). The survivor
matures rapidly, and is capable of flying in less than 45 days.
Unfortunately, most details concerning the natural
history of this bird remain unknown and shrouded in myth. Hopefully,
at some stage, someone will make an effort to unravel the fascinating
secrets of its private life before it's too late; in fact, the sooner
the better..!
Photographs
by Dr. Claire Elouard.
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