Breeding biology of the Spotted Owlet (Athene brama Temminck, 1821) in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India

Breeding biology of the Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) were studied during the breeding seasons from January to April 2008 and 2009 in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India. Of the 32 nest-sites located, the Spotted Owlet largely preferred holes/cavities found in trees, highest numbers of nests were located in Ficus benghalensis, rather than other sites for nesting. Nestsites were found at a mean height of 13.3 ± 5.44m above the ground, diameter at breast height averaged 194.3 ± 22.49cm and nest hole location height averaged 6.9 ± 1.92m above the ground and the mean height, width and depth of nest holes/cavities were 34.5 ± 10.42cm, 24.9 ± 9.24cm and 80.9 ± l5.74cm respectively. Clutch size varied between 2 and 5 with a mean of 2.6 ± 0.72 eggs. The maximum and minimum length and width of eggs were 31.0 x 23.0mm and 26.0 x 20.0mm respectively. Weight of the eggs varied between 10.0 and l7.0g. The mean incubation period of the Spotted Owlet was 26.2 ± 1.31 days and both sexes took part in incubation. The hatching and fledging success of the Spotted Owlet were 83% and 71%, respectively.