Spot Bellied Eagle Owl

About Spot Bellied Eagle Owl:

• Scientific name: Bubo nipalensis
• Spot Bellied Eagle Owl is also known as the forest eagle-owl.
• They are large, very powerful and bold predatory birds.
• It measures about 50 to 65 cm in length and weighs 1500 to 1700 grams.
• Distribution:
  • It is a forest-inhabiting species found in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
  • These species occur in altitudes from 300 to 3000 meters.
• Conservation:
  • IUCN Status: Least Concern
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV 
  • CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora): Appendix II.

Seshachalam Hills:

• The Seshachalam Hills are a part of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh.
• They are a group of seven hills namely, Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.
• The ranges were formed during the Precambrian era (3.8 billion to 540 million years ago)
• The Seshachalam hills consist of sandstone and shale along with limestone.
• Tirupati which is considered as one of the major Hindu pilgrimage towns in India is located in the hills.
• The Srivenkateshwara National Park is also located in this mountain range.
• Seshachalam was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in the year 2010
• It has large reserves of red sandalwood.