Asian Barred Owlet

The Asian Barred Owlet, Glaucidium cuculoides, is a small yet robust bird of prey, one of the larger members of the pygmy owl family. It exhibits a dark brown or olive-brown plumage with a distinctive white throat patch. The bird's underparts are a paler whitish hue, adorned with dark brown bars, while its tail and wings are dark brown with lighter, whitish bars. Notably, this species lacks the false eyes on the back of the head, a feature common in other pygmy owls.

Identification Tips

Males typically weigh between 150–176 grams, with females being larger, reaching up to 240 grams. The Asian Barred Owlet can be identified by its dense barring and the absence of false eyes on the back of the head. Juveniles differ slightly with a streaked breast and a ruddier brown head.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of woodland habitats, including pine and oak forests, as well as subtropical and tropical evergreen jungles at lower elevations. They are also known to inhabit foothills and submontane regions up to 2,100 meters, with the highest recorded sighting at 2,700 meters in the Himalayas of northern Pakistan.

Distribution

The Asian Barred Owlet is widespread across the mainland of Southeast Asia, extending from southeast China through Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, northeast India, and into the foothills of the Himalayas in Pakistan.

Behaviour

This diurnal hunter is often seen perched on bare branches, actively hunting throughout the day. It can be mobbed by smaller birds but typically remains still during such encounters. Its flight pattern is characterized by an undulating motion, with rapid flaps followed by a pause with closed wings.

Song & Calls

The male's song is a distinctive trill that can last from 5 to 20 seconds, increasing in volume and harshness before an abrupt end. The species also emits a smooth "hoop" call and is most vocal at dawn and shortly after sunrise, although it can vocalize at any time of day.

Breeding

Breeding season varies by region, occurring from January to February in Thailand and March to June elsewhere. Nests are made in unlined tree cavities or old nests of woodpeckers and barbets. A single clutch typically consists of 3 to 5 white, rounded eggs, with both parents caring for the young.

Diet and Feeding

The Asian Barred Owlet's diet is primarily insectivorous, including beetles, grasshoppers, and cicadas. It also preys on lizards, small rodents, and birds, often catching its avian prey mid-flight.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Asian Barred Owlet as Least Concern. However, it faces threats from habitat destruction due to urbanization and deforestation, as well as persecution based on local superstitions that associate owls with bad omens. These factors compound the challenges to the species' survival and hinder conservation efforts.