First photographic evidence of Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Ketupa nipalensis (Strigiformes: Strigidae) in Palamau Tiger Reserve, Jharkhand, India

Authors

  • Arshyaan Shahid Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Qila Road, Fort Enclave, Firdaus Nagar, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8126-2368
  • Shahzada Iqbal Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Qila Road, Fort Enclave, Firdaus Nagar, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5929-5339
  • Orus Ilyas Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Qila Road, Fort Enclave, Firdaus Nagar, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9046-214X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9513.18.1.28252-28254

Keywords:

Distribution, eastern India, new record, nocturnal raptors, protected area, range extension

Abstract

We report the first photographic documentation of Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Ketupa nipalensis from Palamau Tiger Reserve, Jharkhand, India. The observation on 27 September 2024, represents a significant westward range extension, with the nearest previously documented populations 250–550 km away in Odisha and West Bengal. However, multiple records from Madhya Pradesh suggest that the species has an established but poorly documented presence in central India as well.

Author Biographies

Arshyaan Shahid, Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Qila Road, Fort Enclave, Firdaus Nagar, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001, India.

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Shahzada Iqbal, Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Qila Road, Fort Enclave, Firdaus Nagar, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001, India.

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Orus Ilyas, Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Qila Road, Fort Enclave, Firdaus Nagar, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 202001, India.

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References

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Published

26-01-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Notes

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Copyright (c) 2026 Arshyaan Shahid, Shahzada Iqbal, Orus Ilyas

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