Indian eagle-owl at Jhalana Leopard Reserve in Jaipur, India

© Sourabh Bharti/Shutterstoc

On the trail of the Indian eagle-owl. Indian eagle-owl

You are seeing the Indian eagle-owl (Bubo bengalensis), also called the rock eagle-owl or Bengal eagle-owl, perched on a tree at Jhalana Leopard Reserve in Jaipur, India. The Indian eagle-owl is a large horned owl species native to hilly and rocky scrub forests in the Indian Subcontinent. It is splashed with brown and grey and has a white throat patch with small black stripes. It was earlier treated as a subspecies of the Eurasian eagle-owl. Usually seen in pairs, the bird has a deep resonant booming call that may be heard at dawn and dusk.

Spread in an area of 23sq km, Jhalana Leopard Reserve is home to about 40 leopards, including 5 cubs. The captivating natural surroundings of the forest of Jhalana and the tranquility here are extremely relaxing and a delight for the mind. Other than leopards, you can also see spotted deer, blue bulls, wild boars, and a range of resident as well as migratory birds in the park. The presence of such great wildlife in the urban region makes this land a different and unique site for nature enthusiasts.