“Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu-whit, Tu-who, a merry note.”– William Shakespeare
Owls are fascinating in more than many ways. Equally revered and feared as they were obscure from the observation of common people compared to other diurnal birds, owls have a strange spookiness and strings of myths attached with them across continents and cultures. Following scientific studies since the eighteenth century, the owls have found some relief from the perception of belonging to the evil camp.
Personally, I am intrigued by these birds. Differently equipped and skilled, they are masters of their craft – highly efficient in hunting in low light. Some of them are active during the day as well. Finding them is always a pleasure, especially the not so common ones. Many a times, one can hear them around for months, yet never be able to see them, leave aside taking a picture.
Here is a modest collection of some owls found in India, put together by a group of friends who share a common passion for wildlife.
Brown Wood Owl (strix lectogrammica). A medium-large (45-55 cm) owl with a typical solemn look. Widespread in the Indian sub-continent, Indonesia, Taiwan and South China. Inhabits lowland and montane broadleaf forests or fringes thereof. Diet consists of small mammals, birds and reptiles. Highly nocturnal, maybe spotted during the day when discovered and mobbed by smaller birds. Picture Credit – Vinit Bajpai, Lansdowne, Uttrakhand, March 2021.
Earlier known as Eurasian Eagle Owl, now ‘Rock Eagle Owl’, This was one of the most fascinating sightings I have ever had. Was driving through scrub / bush in the midst of the desert. I suddenly, saw a big bird take off just in front of the vehicle to avoid being run over (It wasn’t visible to me or the driver). I leapt out of the vehicle and ran after the bird, not to lose sight of it. Found it again after a little chase and hastily clicked few record shots. It was the first time that I was seeing this big marvelous owl in the wild. Well distributed across Europe and Asia, has many variant sub-species. Female (larger) incubates and cares for the young, male feeds her and the young ones. Parental care goes on upto 5 months. Mainly active at night, sometimes during dusk. Size – upto 75 cm tall, wing span – upto 6 feet. Call – a deep loud ‘oohoo-oohoo-oohoo’. Clicked somewhere deep in the Thar desert, Rajasthan, India, 2013.
Dusky Eagle Owl. A large owl (upto 53 cm in hieght), well distributed in South and South-East Asia. Preferred habitat is wetlands with trees. Builds a large nest in the trees (unlike the Eurasian Eagle Owl) near water bodies. Nocturnal, emerges from its roost, just before sunset. Photo credit – Gaurav Kamboj. Shot at Bharatpur, Rajasthan, 2017.
Brown Fish Owl. Another large owl, upto 60 cm tall, wingspan upto 140 cm. Habitat – forests / woodlands near water bodies, streams / canals / rivers and lakes. Mainly nocturnal, sometime semi-diurnal and seen hunting during the day as well. Perches above / near water (like the one above, was sitting over a stream) or wades through water. Glides over the water and grabs its prey with its claws. Feeds on fish, frogs, and aquatic crustaceans. Clicked at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, MP, 2016.
Another Brown Fish Owl. Kalagarh Division, Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. April 2021. Photo Credit – Vinit Bajpai. PS – Please ignore the hazy picture, it was almost dark, when we found this innocent fellow.
A Jungle Owlet. Small size owlet, Round head and fine horizontal bars across the breast are typical. Active during dawn & dusk, also known to bask in the early morning Sun. Dharamsala, HP, 2017.
Lets bust another myth – owls can see very well during the day and (some) owls are also active during the day. In the frame is another Jungle Owlet. Picture Credit – Vinit Bajpai. Lansdowne, Uttrakhand. Feb 2021
Indian Scops Owl. Formerly part of a wide spread species ‘Collared Scops Owl’. It is the largest scops owl. Nocturnal, may be found snoozing in its hideout during early morning / evening. It took me more than an year to figure out who makes the soft ‘Whuk’ call in the night in the forest around my house. Saw the pair finally raise three chicks in 2014, Saugor, Madhya Pradesh, India
Snoozing in the early morning Sun – Another Indian Scops Owl.
Short Eared Owl. Quite wide spread across the world, it is a medium sized owl (36 to 42 cm). It is diurnal (active during day) and crepuscular (more active during dawn and dusk). It is typically a grassland owl. Primarily hunts small rodents / mammals, also known to prey upon smaller birds and insects. Photo credit – Gaurav Kamboj
Barn / Screech Owl. One of the most common owl, a companions of the humans (other than Spotted Owlets). A medium sized owl (40 – 45cm). Typical heart shaped facial disc. Pale, orangey with grey spots. Mainly nocturnal, resides around human habitat, at times cohabits in same buildings. There is a pair residing in my apartment building in Entebbe. The one in the frame was living in the Senior Command Wing office Building in Army War College, Mhow. The name bears the linkage – it used to be found living in the barns. A great friend of famers, it helps keep the rodent populations in check. Call is a bone-chilling rising shriek, reason for the other name – The Screech Owl.
Spotted Owlet. The cutest of them all. It turns into a clownish activity of bobbing up and down when it is detected. I guess it tries to assess the intruder / threat. Can be easily found perched / snoozing around the human habitat during the day, active during dusk and night. In our growing up years, it was common to spot / hear their squabbles along the electricity poles / wires during dusk. These owlets would descend on to the road to collect their prey (insects) and return to their perch. In the cities, they are around but less visible due to ever increasing din of human activity and traffic. Still very common in rural areas. Mhow, MP, 2016.
A pair of Spotted Owlets. They made themselves a comfortable home in our home (Yes, we had some broken walls !). I have met quite a few educated people still carrying the old myths where owls are considered harbingers of bad news / death / illness. Aren’t they beautiful !! Lets cut the crap and enjoy their company.
Little Owl (thats the name !!), Found in a very narrow range of higher altitudes in India’s Northern and North Eastern parts. Mainly nocturnal, sometimes can be found perched in the open during the day as well. Mainly inhabits open countryside. 2017, Tsokar, Ladakh.
Collared Owlet. A small stout owl with a longer tail (compared to other smaller owls).. Photo Credits : Vinit Bajpai, Shot at Lansdowne, Uttrakhand, Feb 2021.
A pair of Himalayan Wood Owls. Courtesy Vinit Bajpai.
A Himalayan Wood Owls. Courtesy Vinit Bajpai. Clicked in Lansdowne, India
Did you know that a group of owls is called a ‘Parliament of Owls’. I am sure you know that Owls deliver postal mail only in ‘Harry Potter’ movies.
If you think that you are interested in spotting your own owls – feel free to reach out and see how best can we assist you to find the wise ones around your home. Believe me, they are out there.
