Turkestan Tawny Owl

Strix aluco haermsi (Zarudny, 1911)

2013-02-17 Uzbekistan.	© Lidiya Skhinas

Description

Morphism in this subspecies absent, only grey variation of colour. General colour is close to siberiae, but a little darker. Dark pattern on upper- and underparts more developed, white on basic background is less developed than in siberiae. Cross-pattern on underparts is more straightened, less zigzag-shape. The largest subspecies. Wing length of males 300-316 (307), of females 315-332 (323) mm.

Distribution

Occupies Western Tien Shan. Singing was heard in Almaty 29 May and 2 June 2004. In winter recorded near Kzyl-Orda (27 March 1927) and Dzharkent (3 December 1906).

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.