The decline of the interspecific agonistic displays in an adult female Indian Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae): a case of habituation to human approach

Abstract

Habituation to humans was observed in a single breeding female Bubo bengalensis and the responses documented. It was observed that owls recognize threats, and differentiate between people. The data shows how ‘familiarity’ can result in reduced flight range and agonistic displays. It was found that the most familiar observers elucidated the least response to human intrusion whereas the role of unfamiliar intrusion had an adverse affect which prevented further studies of the subject.

Keywords

• Familiarity
• habituation
• neuroplastisity
• non associative learning
• sensitization.