Some observations on the spread-winged agonistic displays of the Indian Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis (Franklin, 1831)

In a study on the Indian Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis in southern India, three morphologically distinct spread- winged displays have been identified - viz., intimidatory display, threat display and intermediate agonistic displays. While the first and last displays were employed in inter-specific encounters, the threat display was used against conspecifics in the wild. These displays have not been observed to progress from one to the other, but it may be possible that they stem from a common evolutionary root. The inter-specific intimidatory behavior of a female in defense of its young is also presented.