Spotted Owlet (Athene brama)
Order: STRIGIFORMES
Family: STRIGIDAE Owls
Scientific name: Athene brama
English name: Spotted Owlet
Characteristic: Size 20 cm. A small owl with brownish grey upperpart spotted all over with white; wide pale bands about its eyebrows and a white collar distinctively present; belly white; tail short; beak greyish; eyes round and quite large with golden-yellow irises.
Distribution: Iran, India, Southwest China, Southeast Asia (except Malaysia).
Habitat: Scrub forest, agricultural areas; also observed to perch on high trees in towns and villages throughout the Central Plain, and even in Bangkok. In Sakaerat area, it favours both dry dipterocarp and dry evergreen forests.
Habit: Mainly foraging at dusk and through the night; sometimes seen in the daylight hours. Keeping in pairs or small family of 3-4 individuals. Hiding mostly among thick foliage and screening the ground for unwary preys, which including large insects, earthworms, reptiles, small rodents and sleeping birds. On sighting a prey, it will swoop down quickly and quietly and grasp with its sharp talons. Breeding time starts from February to April. Prefers to nest in natural cavity and holes under the eave of house; in which 3-4 white egge will be laid.
Status: A resident owl is frequently seen in Sakareat area. It has been legally protected as a protected wild animal.
