Wildlife SOS introduces a new series “Things You Didn’t Know About” that explores fascinating and lesser-known facts about various species. Our writers spotlight one inhabitant of the wild, unveiling its unique characteristics and roles in the ecosystem. In this article, we shine a spotlight on one of the birds that is caught in the tangles of myths and misconceptions—the barn owl.
Owls in India are haunted by superstitious and unfounded beliefs that taint their image in human society. It is widely believed that an owl sitting on the roof of a house would bring dire consequences to the family residing in it. However, the knowledge of them being invaluable to ecosystems is sadly unheard of by many.
Among the owls found in India is the barn owl (Tyto alba), which thrives in diverse habitats ranging from rural agricultural fields to urban areas. These medium-sized owls are one of the most commonly found owl species across the Indian subcontinent and the most widespread of all birds, and play a mighty role in maintaining ecological balance. This is because barn owls are natural pest controllers that feed predominantly on rodents, and their exceptional hunting skills set them apart. Their heart-shaped faces aren’t merely an attractive design, they act like sound funnels, directing even the faintest rustle straight to their ears. What makes them even more impressive is that their ears, located just behind their dark eyes, are slightly asymmetrical — one being higher than the other. This unique placement helps them to focus and pinpoint exactly where a particular sound is coming from, even in pitch darkness.
Barn owls have eyes that are smaller than most other owls. However, their forward-facing eyes allow for a three-dimensional vision that is similar to that of human beings. Their eyes are perfect for low light, giving them excellent night vision and a knack for judging distances. They glide silently through the air, thanks to their wing feathers that can absorb the sound of their flight so that their targeted prey never hears them swooping towards them. Whether hunting in open fields or wooded areas, barn owls are perfectly adapted to track down all sorts of small creatures like mice, voles, lizards and frogs with incredible precision, making them invaluable allies to farmers across India’s agricultural belts.
In Assam’s rice fields, scientists have been helping farmers by creating artificial nests for barn owls to sustain their presence on their farmland. These look-alike nests are designed as ventilated boxes that provide safe spaces for owls to raise their young. By offering these nesting sites, farmers eventually benefit as a thriving population of barn owls can reduce the number of rodents in their field, thereby preventing the use of harmful pesticides to protect crops. This arrangement is therefore mutually beneficial to farming communities and these avians.
While initiatives like this are conserving the barn owl population, the widespread use of pesticides or rodenticides continues to take place in agriculture fields across India and presents a serious danger to owls. When they prey on rodents existing in such fields that have consumed these toxic chemicals, barn owls are indirectly poisoned as well, threatening their survival.
Barn owls have long held a place in Indian mythology. In some regions of India, barn owls are considered sacred and are believed to be the carriers of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, as a result of which they are worshipped and respected, with many people refraining from harming them. The presence of owls is seen as a blessing that would bring good fortune in such places.
Ironically, certain cultural practices in our country also subject barn owls to ritualistic sacrifices for the same reason, particularly during the festival of Diwali. These sacrifices are rooted in the belief that stopping the vehicle of the goddess of wealth this way would bring in more riches. This continues to pose a threat to the barn owl population.
India’s barn owls have adapted to thrive in city environments. However, this too finds its roots in rapid habitat destruction driven by expansion of cities and deforestation. Barn owls are essentially cavity-nesters, which means that they rely on natural hollows of trees for nesting. With the decline in the number of trees, they now find cavities in abandoned or quiet corners of buildings to safely raise their young. What has benefited humans as infrastructure has not only led to a loss of natural nesting sites for barn owls, but has also reduced the availability of wild prey.
In India, poaching and killing barn owls are banned under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 with strict penalties. Despite legal protections, these owls remain vulnerable to illegal trade due to occult practices that continue to take place. Wildlife SOS plays a crucial role in their conservation through anti-poaching efforts and by performing multiple raids and seizures with forest authorities across the country.
If you spot a bird or wild animal in distress, please call Wildlife SOS rescue hotlines in
Delhi-NCR (+91-9871963535)
Agra and Mathura, Uttar Pradesh (+91-9917109666)
Vadodara, Gujarat (+91-9825011117)
Jammu and Kashmir: (+91-7006692300 and +91-9419778280)
You can also reach out to the local forest department for immediate assistance.
