Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl

Immense and imposing owl of dense wet lowland and hill forests. Silver-gray adult is majestic, with a large yellow bill, black eyes, and sweeping sidewards-facing “horns.” Juvenile is much paler, almost white, with shorter tufts. Gives deep echoing hoots. Primarily nocturnal, but will on occasion hunt by day; takes prey as large as small deer.

In Sri Lanka, the spot-bellied eagle owl primarily inhabits dense, evergreen, and moist deciduous forests, typically found in the thicker jungle areas, preferring primary or older secondary growth forests, and can be found across various parts of the island in both wet and dry zones; they are mostly seen in areas with substantial tree cover where they can roost during the day and hunt at night.

In Sri Lanka, the Spot-bellied Eagle Owl primarily feeds on a diverse diet including various birds, small to medium-sized mammals (like rodents, hares, and even small deer), reptiles (including large monitor lizards), amphibians, fish, and occasionally even carrion from larger animals like goats and tigers; essentially acting as an apex predator in its habitat.