The owl is considered to be a Bad Omen in some parts of the country. This has possibly something to do with its appearance. The big eyes, the large round face, and a look that can sometimes be intimidating, add to that the fear and myth people have about this beautiful bird. The owl, perhaps due to its mysterious ways and nocturnal habits, is greatly misunderstood.
There are about 134 different owl species in the world. Around eight to ten species of owls are found in India. The Spotted Owl also known as Athene Brama belongs to the Order - Strigiformes and Strigidae family of birds. It is a medium sized owl with dark brown feathers with white spots. These distinctive birds of prey are divided into two families, the Barn Owls (Tytonidae) and the Typical Owls (Strigidae).
Owls are raptors, or Birds of Prey, which means they hunt other living things for their food, using their special adaptations and unique abilities that set them apart from any other creatures. All owls have immobile eyes in large heads. Their fluffy plumage makes their flight nearly soundless. They have hooked bills, hooked claws and usually feathered feet with a reversible outer toe. Exceptional vision and acute hearing play a major part in an owl’s hunting technique. Couple these with powerful talons and beak plus the ability to fly silently and you have a perfect killing machine. After eating Owls regurgitate pellets, which contain the indigestible bones and feathers of their victims. Female owls are generally similar in appearance, though they are 25% larger.
Many species hunt at night and roost during the day, most of them are active at dusk and dawn, spending the daytime at a quiet inconspicuous place. They generally roost singly or in pairs, but may form flocks in the breeding season. Interestingly a group of owls is called Parliament. Rodents, birds, reptiles, fish and large insects make up the chief diet of these raptors. When relaxed, the plumage is loose and fluffy. If an owl becomes alarmed, it will pull its feathers tightly to the body and ear tufts.
A common owl found in India is the Tyto Alba, more popularly known as the Common Barn Owl. The Barn Owl is one of the most widespread of all land birds. The Barn Owl calls infrequently, the usual call being a drawn-out rasping screech. The courtship call of male at nest is a shrill repetitive twittering. Adults returning to a nest may give a low, frog-like croak. When surprised in its roosting hollow or nest, it makes hissing and rasping noises and snapping sounds that are often called bill snapping, but possibly made by clicking the tongue.
Barn Owls specialize in hunting small ground mammals, and the vast majority of their food consists of small rodents. Barn Owls breed rapidly in response to mouse plagues. Other prey may include baby rabbits, bats, frogs, lizards, birds and insects. They are usually located by quartering up and down likely looking land - particularly open grassland. They also use low perches such as fence posts to seek quarry.
Indian mythology has many accounts of these birds. According to Hindu mythology the Owl is considered to be a bad omen. The hooting of an owl if heard during the night is considered to bring doom upon ones family. There is a myth that a glimpse of the owl during evening hours brings doom upon those who see it. Interestingly something quite contrary is seen in Bengal. The Bengalis everywhere consider the owl a good Omen.
The owl is considered to be Goddess Laxmi’s sacred carrier and is worshipped in Bengali culture. They believe that the hooting of the owl brings wealth and happiness in their homes. Another owl found in Northern parts of India has an interesting belief adhered to it. The call of this owl sounds like the scream of a woman. Hence the myth that Witches come in form of owls. The Parsi community considers the owl as a holy bird. Mr. Rustum Minerva, a Parsi resident in Mumbai-Dadar says “The Parsis leave their dead in the Fire temple, to be eaten by the vultures, it is a holy ritual. But according to Parsi mythology if the owl eats the dead body, then its soul is considered to rest in heaven.
All kinds of good and evil epoch stories of the owl have passed from generations to generations, and will go on maybe forever. But the question is whether this magnificent bird will be kept alive till then. Amit Pavashe a dedicated ornithologist has been studying the owl for a long time. He believes that people should be educated about the owl and the misconceptions removed. The owl is one of the most important species in the food chain, without which the chain will surely be damaged. The owls keep a check on rodents, insects and other animals, which spread disease and destroy crops.
Many of the owl species are endangered today. Villages in India use heavy insecticides and pesticides to control the rodent population, these are eaten by the owls, who have now been showing defects in the new born owl babies. These pesticides are strong and poisonous, and travel through digestive system 3 of these animals, slowly poisoning the entire food chain. The effects are not seen immediately but this is as good as slow poisoning.
The owl has been a grossly misunderstood species, perhaps due to its combination of frightening yet magnificent appearance. Myth or no myth, one cannot forget the importance and place the owl holds in the food chain. Man has time and again underestimated the importance of all living things – small or big in the circle of life and done more harm than good. The need today is to realise the importance of his place and help himself. Nature is self-healing and has its own wonders; all it needs is time and a chance.
By Ankush Bobade
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