From Opus

Alternative name: Desert Eagle-Owl

Bubo ascalaphus

Photo by Albzm7
Photo taken: Eastern Region, Abu Dhabi, UAE

[edit] Identification

Large, pale eared owl with yellow or orange eyes. Generally a pale tawny above with black and white markings. Throat white, chest and belly pale tawny to sandy, streaked with black. Race desertorum generally paler. Size 46-50cm, 1900-2300g

[edit] Distribution

North West Africa, across most of the Sahara, Syria, Israel to W Iraq and E Arabian Peninsula.

[edit] Taxonomy

Until recently included as a race of B.bubo with which it has been known to interbreed in parts of Syria and Palestine. However morphology, vocalisations, and DNA are distinct. Intermediates of the 2 races can be found in some areas.

[edit] Habitat

Rocky deserts and semi-deserts, gorges, cliffs, rocky mountain slopes.

[edit] Behaviour

Food Mainly mammals and birds, also reptiles and scorpions. Breeding 2-4 eggs, laid in February and March, in scrape amongst rocks or in a crevice. Incubation up to 36 days. Young leave nest by 7 weeks and are fully fledged by 10 weeks. They are independent by about 26 weeks. Call A deep downward inflected “whu�.

[edit] External Links