Perch height and the hunting success of the Indian Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis (Franklin) (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae) targeting anuran prey.

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Eric Ramanujam
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0877-541X

Abstract

Investigation into the predation of a pair of Indian Eagle Owls on anurans disclosed the fact that the greatest success (52.17%) was when the owls pounced from a height of less than 2m and the lowest (12.5%) was from a height of 5–6 m.  No success was recorded when the owls pounced from over a height of 6m or when they tried wading in water to catch their prey.  Overall, 146 pounces were observed and the strike success was 28.7%.

 

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