Andaman hawk-owl
| Andaman Hawk-owl | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Aves |
| Sub-class | Neornithes |
| Infra-class | Neoaves |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family Information | |
| Families | Strigidae |
| Sub-family | Striginae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Ninox |
| Species Information | |
| Species | N. affinis |
| Population statistics | |
| Conservation status | Near threatened[1] |
The Andaman hawk-owl (Ninox affinis) is a species of owl of the family Strigidae, and found only on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, two small archipelagos within the Indian Ocean.
Description
Andaman hawk-owls are small, at just under a foot in length. The upperparts are brown in color, with flight and tail feathers bearing alternating bands of brown and buff; the secondary feathers have a rufus tinge. The crown and mantle are brown, tinged with ochre in a pattern that is indistinct unless seen closeup. The underside is pale brown, with large streaks of chestnut-brown covering much of the belly. Eyes, bill, and feet are yellow.
Subspecies
- Ninox affinis affinis
- Ninox affinis isolata
- Ninox affinis rexpimenti
Habitat and diet
Andaman hawk-owls are usually found within lowland and secondary forests, as well as coastal mangrove forests. Lightly-wooded areas, clearings, and agricultural plantations are also frequented. The birds have been observed hunting insects, sometimes taking them while in flight.
Threats
Due to the nature of their range, Andaman hawk owls are facing an increased threat from human population and the changes in habitat which come with it. However, studies have indicated that the birds tolerate such changes; they have been observed interacting in human-modified environments just as well as within their own forested habitats, which gives some guarded encouragement to their numbers.[2]
