Owls of Sri Lanka

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Spot-bellied eagle-owl (Ketupa nipalensis)

The spot-bellied eagle-owl, aka the forest eagle-owl, is a striking and formidable bird found in the dense wet forests of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This owl is impressive with its silver-grey adult plumage, large yellow bill, black eyes, and distinctive sideways facing "horns." Juveniles are much lighter in colour, almost white, with shorter tufts. They emit deep echoing hoots, typical of owls. Although primarily active at night, these owls will occasionally hunt during the day, preying on animals as large as small deer. The spot-bellied eagle-owl is one of the larger owl species, measuring between 50 to 65 cm in length, making it the sixth longest owl on average worldwide, with impressive wings that rank ninth among all living owls.

Brown wood owl (Strix leptogrammica)

The brown wood owl is a large owl species characterized by its solemn appearance, with deep black eyes and a brown or rufous facial disc edged in white. Its plumage varies somewhat across its range but typically features dark brown upper parts with faint white spotting on the shoulders, while the underparts are buff with brown streaking. Notably, it lacks concentric barring on the facial disc and has a distinctive white neckband. The male and female owls look alike in appearance. This owl inhabits lowland and montane broadleaf forests as well as adjacent edges across its extensive range, which includes India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Taiwan, and south China. It emits short bursts of loud, reverberating hoots.

Brown hawk-owl (Ninox scutulata)

The brown hawk-owl, aka the brown boobook, is a medium-sized owl found across South Asia from India and Sri Lanka to Indonesia and southern China. This owl is distinct with its brown hawk-like appearance, featuring large, unsettling yellow eyes, a solid brown back, and a patchily brown-spotted white breast with a pale triangle above the bill. Despite its nocturnal habits, it's often spotted at dusk and dawn, known for its series of rising hoots: "woo-wuh! woo-wuh! woo-wuh!" The brown boobook is adaptable, inhabiting various forested habitats from primary rainforests to orchards and gardens. It feeds on a diet of large insects, frogs, lizards, small birds, and mice. This species is commonly found in urban areas like Colombo, and suburban regions close to buildings, where its soft, musical call can be heard echoing through the night.

Indian scops owl (Otus bakkamoena)

The Indian scops owl is a medium-sized owl known for its prominent ear tufts and dark eyes. Its coloration varies from grey to brown, but it always has thin black borders around the facial disc and lightly streaked underparts. This nocturnal owl inhabits forests, forest edges, parks, and gardens across lowland to montane regions. It is difficult to spot during the day due to its camouflage, but small birds often reveal its presence by mobbing it while it roosts in trees. The Indian scops owl primarily feeds on insects and emits bouncy amphibian-like barks at irregular intervals. Its call is a soft single note ("whuk?") and it nests in tree holes, laying 3–5 eggs. Both males and females share similar appearances.

Barn owl (Tyto alba)

The barn owl is a medium-sized owl known for its distinctive heart-shaped facial disc and deep dark eyes. Barn owls vary in appearance but typically feature white-and-black speckling on the upper-parts, beautiful grey-and-tawny wings, and a large round head. The colour of the facial disc and underparts can range from pure white to rusty orange. Barn owls specialize in hunting ground-dwelling animals, relying heavily on their acute sense of hearing to locate prey, which is predominantly small mammals. They hunt primarily for rodents in open areas at night, using slow and buoyant flight. During the day, they roost in old buildings, tree hollows, caves, or nest boxes. The barn owl's call is a bone-chilling, rising shriek. This species is incredibly widespread, being the most widely distributed owl and one of the most widespread bird species globally, found on every continent except Antarctica.

Jungle owlet (Glaucidium radiatum)

The jungle owlet, aka the barred jungle owlet, is a compact owl covered in dense barring across its body. Unlike some owlets, it lacks false eyes on the back of its head. This species emits bursts of loud, hollow trills reminiscent of barbets, along with a distinctive mellow call of "kaaaooo-kaaaaooo-kah-ow!" It inhabits forests in the Indian Subcontinent, favouring densely wooded areas in lowlands and foothills. Most active at dawn and dusk, the jungle owlet is often spotted alone, in pairs, or small groups, primarily detected by its calls during these times. While mainly active during twilight hours, it may also call and fly during the daytime. The jungle owlet's diet includes insects, small birds, reptiles, and rodents. During the day, these owlets may face harassment from drongos and sunbirds at their roosts.

Chestnut-backed owlet (Glaucidium castanotum)

Serendib scops owl (Otus thilohoffmanni)

The Serendib scops owl is a very small and rare owl found in the rainforests of the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. With its distinctive reddish-brown color, yellow-orange eyes, and sparse light speckles on the underparts, it is easily recognizable. Although lacking true ear tufts, it can display "false" ones when alert. Roosting singly or in pairs in the understory, it is strictly nocturnal, hunting insects close to the ground. Unfortunately, its population is small, with only 80 known individuals by January 2006, and it faces threats from habitat loss and degradation. The owl's habitat includes protected areas like Forest Reserves and Proposed Reserves. Hunting for food during the first two hours of darkness, this elusive species adds to the biodiversity of Sri Lanka's rainforests but requires conservation efforts to ensure its survival.

Brown fish-owl (Ketupa zeylonensis)

The Brown Fish-owl is a large and impressive owl, characterized by its bulky brown body, finely streaked breast, plain face, and striking bright yellow eyes. It features a distinctive dirty white "bib" and a heavy brow that gives it a moody appearance. This owl inhabits waterside wooded areas ranging from lowlands to mountainous regions, where it hunts by dropping down into creeks, lakes, and pools to catch fish and other aquatic prey. Known for its deep echoing hoots, as well as various shrieks and higher-pitched hoots, the Brown Fish-owl is active throughout both day and night, reflecting its fishing habits. Like other owls, it has feathery ear tufts that aid in communication and camouflage. Found in the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Oriental scops-owl (Otus sunia)

The Oriental Scops-Owl is a small scops-owl characterized by bright yellow eyes and two-colour morphs: greyish-brown and bright rufous. It lacks prominent markings, with features like a weak black border to the facial disc, thinly streaked underparts, and short ear tufts often held flat. Its song consists of a 3- to 4-note series of hollow-sounding notes, with the last two notes rapid and close together. This owl is found in forests, gardens, and parks from lowlands to foothills, often near human settlements. The Oriental Scops-Owl primarily feeds on insects, spiders, and occasionally small rodents and birds. It nests in tree holes, walls, buildings, or nest boxes when available. This nocturnal species hunts at night and roosts during the day in trees or bushes. Its population status varies across its range, being described as scarce, local, fairly common, or uncommon, but it is not globally threatened at present.

Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)

The short-eared owl is a medium-sized owl often seen during the daytime, unlike many other owl species. It is considered an irregular migrant, its presence depending on food availability. Its appearance varies across its wide range, with Galapagos birds being the darkest. Overall, the short-eared owl is brown with the palest colour on its belly, adorned with streaks and spots on its wings and chest. A large pale patch near the wingtips is noticeable in flight. This owl is not often heard vocalizing away from breeding areas, where it emits a low series of hoots and harsh barking noises. Short-eared owls belong to the family Strigidae and genus Asio, known as the eared owls due to tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears, though these tufts may not always be visible. They inhabit open country and grasslands, measuring between 34–43 cm in length.

Sri Lanka bay owl (Phodilus assimilis)

The Sri Lanka Bay owl is a small owl characterized by its large dark eyes and strictly nocturnal habits, making it uncommon and rarely seen. Identified by its distinctive odd squeaky whistles, “weeYEWWaweew,” delivered in series, this owl is unmistakable if observed closely. It features a heart-shaped face, warm brown upperparts, and relatively clean underparts. The Sri Lanka Bay owl is found in Sri Lanka, the Western Ghats in Kerala, and South Western India, inhabiting dense wet forests with thick undergrowth across lowlands to hilly and montane areas. Formerly considered a subspecies of the Oriental bay owl (Phodilus badius), it is now recognized as a distinct species due to its unique call, plumage, and disjunct distribution. Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and high-altitude grasslands, although it faces threats from habitat loss.