KULKARNI & MEHTA: Forest Owlet 33 Habitat selectivity by the Forest Owlet Athene blewitti in Nandurbar District, Maharashtra, India Jayant Kulkarni & Prachi Mehta Kulkarni, J., & Mehta, P., 2020. Habitat selectivity by the Forest Owlet Athene blewitti in Nandurbar District, Maharashtra, India. Indian BIRDS 16 (2): 33–39. Jayant Kulkarni, Wildlife Research and Conservation Society, 1A Shreeyog, 127/5, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune 411021, Maharashtra, India. E-mail:
[email protected] [Corresponding author] Prachi Mehta, Wildlife Research and Conservation Society, 1A Shreeyog, 127/5, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune 411021, Maharashtra, India. E-mail:
[email protected] Manuscript received on 25 September 2019. Abstract The Forest Owlet Athene (Heteroglaux) blewitti is an endangered owl species found in isolated populations in India. Toranmal and Taloda forests in Nandurbar District, located in north-western Maharashtra, are type localities of the Forest Owlet, from where it has been reported since 1872, and was rediscovered in 1997. During 2016–2017, we carried out an intensive survey for the Forest Owlet, in Nandurbar District, to reassess its distribution and habitat preferences. Our study reports that the Forest Owlet prefers a habitat that is semi-open, teak-bearing dry deciduous forest interspersed with agricultural fields. However, it is an obligate forest species, and is not found in non-forest habitats like agriculture and human habitation. It prefers patchy rather than continuous forest. It prefers forests with less bamboo. It is adapted to living in hilly terrain and prefers valleys, hill slopes, and plateaus, and avoids hilltops. It is found at elevations from 250 to 550 m. It avoids areas with high levels of illegal tree cutting.