- Recently, the rare Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl—often called the “Ghost of the Forest”—was photographed inside Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
- Also known as forest eagle-owl, it is large bird of prey with powerful & intimidating appearance.
- Scientific name: Ketupa nipalensis.
- Geographical Distribution: The species is spread across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and parts of Southeast Asia in a wide range of landscapes like tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, and savannas.
- Physical Characteristics
- It is very large (50–65 cm in length), placing it among the longest owls in the world.
- Its wings are exceptionally long, with a wingspan reaching nearly 1.7 metres.
- Colour and Markings
- The upper body is deep chocolate brown, dotted with white spots.
- Wings & tail show alternating brown & white bars, helping it camouflage in forest shadows.
- The underside is light cream, covered with bold black spots—this gives the bird its name.
- Behaviour and Lifestyle
- It is primarily nocturnal, meaning it becomes active after sunset.
- It is a solitary and territorial bird, maintaining a defined home range.
- It communicates mainly through unusual, human-like vocal calls, which often add to its ghostly reputation.
- Conservation Status: ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List.
