Whilst
birding near Tabuk, Viv Wilson found a Pharaoh Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus sitting in a tree. Interestingly Lou Regenmorter
also saw a Pharaoh Eagle Owl sitting in a tree in a similar area a few years
earlier. The species is a scarce but widespread breeding resident from areas
including the Rub’ al-Khali (Empty Quarter), Abqaiq, Hufuf, northern Hejaz,
Tabuk, Hail, Riyadh and northern areas such as Harrat al Harrah Reserve. It
also appears to be a winter visitor in small numbers to Northern, Eastern and
Central areas of Saudi Arabia. The bird
shows all the important features of Pharaoh Eagle Owl of mottled tawny
upperparts and head; creamy-white underparts with light black streaks on
upper-breast and barred but unstreaked lower-breast, belly and flanks; good
dark frame/boarder to the facial disk; small ear tuffs.
