tags: Collared Scops-Owl, Otus lettia, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Collared Scops-Owl, Otus lettia, photographed on the Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Adrian White [larger view].
Nikon D40x with 70-300AF.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
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Hmm, time to start scopin' out the possibilities...
This would be much easier if the bird's eyes were open or if it were turned the other way, but its finely marked venter suggests to me a god trying to cure a protozoan infection by drinking wine.
Looks like a Tawny Frogmouth to me. Found all over Austalia, but also in India and Sri Lanka.
Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) - the distinguishing markings as an Indian Scops Owl include the marked ear-tufts, light facial disk, belly with distinctive dark downward arrow markings?
excellent job on the correct ID, carel and pat!
Since I photographed this bird I have done some research and found that there is a recent split. Indian and Collared Scops Owls now are regarded as separate species. "bakkamoena" is Indian and "lettia" is Collared. I think this is Collared, although the only reliable way of separating them seems to be on call. Wikipedia has pictures of this bird taken in probably the same palm and calls them Indian, however I think Indian has a plainer facial disc and less obvious streaking on the breast. Echoing Grrl, well done Pat and Carel, good job.