User:Spaceotter63/Bay owl

Lead Additions:

The defining characteristics of bay owls are their smaller bodies, in comparison to other barn owls, and their U- or V-shaped faces. These owls can be found in South to Southeast Asia, and parts of central Africa within forest and grassland ecosystems.

Description Additions:

Although bay owls are typically smaller, they bare resemblances to other barn owls. Other characteristics of the bay owl are groupings of feathers that resemble ears and a divided face disk. Bay owls also have distinctly U-or V-shaped faces. Their wings are rounded and their tail is chestnut-colored, with a few narrow, dark bars. Their tarsi, or leg/foot bones, are relatively short and fully feathered to the joint. Their toes are yellowish-brown with pale claws. Their throat has a creamy color and their underparts are often a pale yellowish-brown, with speckles of blackish-brown coloring.

Distribution & Habitat Additions:

The bay owl can be found in regions from India to Southeast Asia and Indonesia, as well as parts of central Africa. It is uncertain where the ancestors of these avians lived as the phylogeny of all species of bay owls has not been analyzed. These owls can be found in both forests and grasslands, but are fairly scattered in their distribution. However, their primary habitat is within dense evergreen forests, where the owls may roost during the day in the opening of tree trunks or branches sheltered by palm tree leaves. They are often found roosting no more than 2 meters off the ground. They are most vulnerable in this state and not very alert.

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