Fun Jungle Owlet Facts For Kids

Did you find reading about the tawny owl interesting? If yes, then you would also like to know about the Jungle Owlet that's found in the Indian subcontinent.

This owlet is unique for the dark and light barring pattern found on its body and is also known as the barred owlet. It has a round head along with a smaller body compared to the other owl species.

Don't underestimate it by looking at its size, as it's great at hunting like any other bird of prey species. It prefers to hunt during the dawn and dusk hours before it's too bright or too dark.

This bird prefers to live in a dry environment and avoids wet forests. The best part we like about this owl is its eyes because of the bright yellow color, and it looks amazing while reflecting light.

Even though these owlets have a stable and growing population, we are yet to know a lot about the species. But, we have tried to bring to you some of the most relevant information about these birds.

So, keep reading to learn amusing Jungle Owlet facts. Also, check out the articles on flammulated owls and rooks to learn about more birds present in our world.

Jungle Owlet Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Jungle Owlet?

The Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum) is a bird of prey species belonging to the genus Glaucidium that is predominantly found in India, Sri Lanka, and other neighboring regions in the Indian subcontinent.

What class of animal does a Jungle Owlet belong to?

The Jungle Owlet belongs to the class Aves and the genus Glaucidium. This bird also belongs to the order Strigiformes, and the order is also shared by the short-eared owl.

How many Jungle Owlets are there in the world?

The exact population distribution of the Glaucidium radiatum species is yet to be detected. However, it does have a stable population in this world.

Where does a Jungle Owlet live?

The Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum) is mainly found in the Indian subcontinent in areas like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

What is a Jungle Owlet's habitat?

When it comes to the habitat, you may mainly see this bird in dense deciduous forests as well as in a submontane forest or jungle. These birds are also found in a foothill forest, scrublands, or a forest made of bamboo plants.

It is fond of dry areas and tries to avoid a wet forest habitat. At times, the birds can also be found in agricultural fields or in places where the forests have been recently cleared.

Who do Jungle Owlets live with?

As you may know, most raptors are solitary in nature, and that's also valid for the Glaucidium radiatum species. So, apart from the breeding season, you can seldom see this bird with its peers.

How long does a Jungle Owlet live?

We don't have any current data about the lifespan of the Glaucidium radiatum bird species.

How do they reproduce?

Not a lot is known about the breeding habits of the Glaucidium radiatum bird species. But, the breeding of Jungle Owlet owls in India has mainly been detected in between the months of March-June.

Rather than building nests, this bird looks for tree holes that are situated at the height of around 10 ft (3.05 m) or more above the ground. Once found, this tree hole will house the owl family till the chicks are ready to get out in the world.

This bird forms monogamous pairs, and it can get quite territorial about protecting its family. Females usually may have a clutch of three to four eggs, and both parents take care of the chicks.

What is their conservation status?

According to current data, the barred Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum) has been classified under the status of Least Concern in the Red List published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Jungle Owlet Fun Facts

What do Jungle Owlets look like?

The Jungle Owlet's appearance is quite simple and plain like most other owl species. However, Jungle Owlet feathers have patterned bars that give these birds their name.

The feathers of this species are usually rufous-brown, but at times it can have a darker hue. This barring continues to the tail, but the brown color changes to white.

Its belly is mainly covered in white feathers, but a slight pattern can still be seen. The wing coverts also have a brown barring pattern, but the upper tail coverts are usually white.

Moreover, the facial disc of the Glaucidium radiatum species is indistinct from the rest of its plumage. Other facial characteristics include its greenish-yellow or gray bill and beautiful bright yellow eyes.

And, these birds are also said to have a small rounded head. When you have a look at its lower part, you will notice greenish-yellow feet with black claws.

How cute are they?

The Glaucidium radiatum owlets are quite adorable and cute, especially because of the brown and white color scheme of their feathers.

How do they communicate?

Like most other owl or owlet species, the main form of communication for the Glaucidium radiatum species is through calls. This bird is known for producing barbet-like trills that are quite loud. These owlets can often make the calls for a prolonged period of 15 minutes. Other than that, these birds also produce the 'kao' sound.

How big is a Jungle Owlet?

The average size of a barred Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum) is around 7.8-8.6 in (20–22 cm). Compared to it, the whiskered screech-owl often has a size of around 6.4-7.4 in (16.25-18.79cm).

How fast can a Jungle Owlet fly?

We don't have exact data about the flight speed of this species, but it is said to have a swift flying motion similar to that of a small hawk. So, we can assume that this bird can manage to achieve a speed of about 10-20 mph. Also, the Jungle Owlet wingspan is around 4.7-5.3 in (12-13.46 cm)

How much does a Jungle Owlet weigh?

According to the data we got, the average weight range of the barred Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum) is around 3.1-4.02 oz (88–114 g). This owl is nearly four times lighter than the Tawny Owl.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no separate names for the Jungle Owlet male and the Jungle Owlet female.

What would you call a baby Jungle Owlet?

A baby jungle owlet can be called a chick.

What do they eat?

As a bird of prey species, the Jungle Owlet is, in fact, a carnivorous bird. It commonly feeds on insects like beetles, cicadas, locusts, and grasshoppers.

Its diet also includes rodents, lizards, and other small birds. A study done on the feeding habit of this bird led to the discovery that 84.8% of its food contains invertebrates. This is a crepuscular species that hunts mainly at the time before dusk as well as just after sunrise.

Are they dangerous?

If needed, the Jungle Owlet can be dangerous as it has got a sharp beak and talons. So, it's always best to keep away from its territory.

Would they make a good pet?

As this is a wild bird of prey species, it isn't usually a good idea to keep the barred Jungle Owlet as a pet.

Did you know...

There are two detected subspecies of this bird. The subspecies Glaucidium radiatum radiatum is present in different parts of the Himalayas along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. On the other hand, another subspecies, the Glaucidium radiatum malabaricum, is mainly found in the Southwestern part of India.

Don't get confused between the Jungle Owlet and the forest owlet, as both are distinct species. The scientific name of the Jungle Owlet is Glaucidium radiatum, while the scientific name for the forest owlet is Athene blewitti, and it's native to central India.

Are Jungle Owlets endangered?

No, the Jungle Owlet endangered isn't a thing as these birds are usually residents of a particular place.

Do Jungle Owlets migrate?

No, Jungle Owlets don't migrate.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable facts, check out these Burrowing Owl Facts and  Rufous Owl Facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable owl coloring pages.

*The second image was taken by Sandeep Gangadharan.