The bengal eagle owl is a large owl of the Indian subcontinent. They also known as the Indian eagle owl or rock eagle owl. They are found in scrub and light to medium forests in hilly and rocky areas below 5,000ft (1,500m) elevation but not in humid evergreen forest or exceptionally arid areas. They often live in pairs even when out of breeding season and feed on rodents and other small mammals and ground dwelling birds such as partridge. They are mainly nocturnal but will hunt during the day.

 

Their natural breeding season is generally from February to April. After mating the females will lay 2 to 4 eggs which take 31 to 36 days to hatch. During incubation, the female remains on the nest with the male bringing food for her and feeding her. The young fledge at three to seven weeks but are still cared for by the parents for a further 20-24 weeks.

 

The bengal eagle owl has few natural predators due to it's size and is not considered as endangered but is affected by habitat destruction and is often persecuted in tribal areas as being a bird of bad omen. They can live for twenty years in the wild.