The Spotted Owlet

Do you know, a group of owls is called a Parliament.  This could be because owls are typically considered to be quite intelligent and wise. In ancient Greek mythology, the owl was seen to accompany or represent Athena, the goddess of wisdom. In Hindu mythology the owl is a vahan (mode of transport) of Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. Unfortunately, the word ‘Ullu’ is always associated with stupidity.

The Spotted Owlet is one of the most commonly sighted owls in our backyard.  They have adapted to living in cities and can be seen quite often in parks.  The nest is usually located in a natural hollow of a tree trunk.  These birds are known for their sharp senses which help them identify prey and are blessed with powerful night vision.

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The Spotted Owlet is a small owl with a round head, yellow eyes and prominent white eyebrows.  It is greyish-brown overall with white spots above while its under parts are white with brown bars. They are mostly nocturnal active from dusk to dawn but can sometimes be seen during the day. When disturbed during the day they fly out to a nearby branch and bob their head and stare at the intruder. At dusk, it perches on electrical wires or street lamp posts, fences or other such vantage points to look for prey, pouncing on an unwary insect, or occasionally launching an aerial attack to seize a flying insect attracted to the light from street lamps.

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Owls cannot move their eyes, therefore, they have to move their entire head to look around and can turn their head 180 degrees. This is possible because owls have an extra vertebra in their spine. The colour of the pupils of the eyes indicates the time they hunt. Owls with yellow eyes and also dark eyes hunt during the day while those with orange eyes hunt at night.

Owls as predators keep a balance in our ecosystem by keeping a check on rodent and insect population.

Show your appreciation for these beautiful and sensitive birds by giving them space when you encounter them. Preventing disturbance to owls is an important way to help their populations survive and thrive.