Don't forget about the little guys! by Gabriela Makuch

photo courtesy of Wildscreen Arkive 

    Since the fifth grade, my favorite animal has always been the owl. Their fluffy round bodies and disproportionally large eyes won my heart over. So, I naturally chose to study the Forest Owlet. This small, stocky bird species is endemic to the central forest areas in India and the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh [4].This owl species is extremely rare and was even considered extinct for 113 years until it was rediscovered in 1997, with no recorded since its discovery [4]. 

photo courtesy of BirdLife

    The owlet's appearance is notable for its broad, wide skull and round body. Their feathers are banded with tan and white stripes [2]. The stout body and big, yellow eyes can only be described as adorable. The small bird also has disproportionally large talons, which allows it to catch prey twice its own size [4]. As the name “owlet” would imply, these little guys only grow to be 23cm tall, which isn’t even a foot[1]! Check out this awesome clip of the rare owlet hanging out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs7wbkOjcLg

    The owlet mainly chows down on amphibians, lizards, and mice [4].The dry brush and grass areas in the Indian forests house plenty of critters for the owls to enjoy. The owls have also been seen catching other birds as prey. Although most owls are known for being nocturnal, this species is diurnal, which means active during the day. So they can be found hunting during the daytime and even sunning itself in the cooler winter months [3].  To get a better idea of them in their natural habitat, check out this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL88gHEeYcI 

    

    An unexplainable feeding habit amongst these owls is the male eating its own offspring before the chics are fully grown [1]. Though animals eating offspring is not uncommon, there is no explanation for this behavior. As a result, the mother is very reluctant to let any male bird near her young [1].9

   

Population Distribution-photo courtesy of EDGE

     It is estimated that less than 250 of these birds are alive today, which puts them at a critically endangered status. A large part of their extinction is due to deforestation in India. Their distribution is “fragmented” which means the population is broken up due to external factors, such as, habitat fragmentation. In the case of the Forest Owlet, their habitats have been fragmented due to the continued loss of deciduous forests in India. In fact, these species are only present in about a dozen individual locations [2].

Kind owl from Fox and the Hound

    Superstitio-us beliefs also threaten the Forest Owlet’s existence. It is thought that eating the owlet eggs can increase one’s luck in gambling [2]. Owlets have also been killed to supposedly increase one’s fertility. Some just believe the owls possess a greater evil [3]. This is opposite to western culture where owls are often depicted as wise and kind. 

photo courtesy of ARKive

    The conservation efforts to preserve this species include trying to halt cattle grazing, grass cutting, and wood collecting in Forest Owlet Territory [4]. Ecotourism is also helping raise awareness for these cute, little birds. The owl is not only protected by CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ) but the Indian government has awarded it full protection from trapping, egg collection, or hunting [3]. This can be found in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 [1] and this species is listed on CITES Appendix I and II [4].

     The Bombay Natural History Society, in partnership with Birdlife International, has recently made a species recovery plan [4]. This includes providing locals with informational brochueres and educating community members. Fortunately, this species has benefited from efforts to protect the Melghat Tiger, which has large reservation areas [4]. 

     Unfortunately, some things are easier said than done. Many of these activities that are destroying the Forrest Owlet’s habitats provide too much a monetary value to offenders to cease. Due to the rarity of the bird, it’s not certain if these species are actually benefiting from the conservation efforts [3]. The best that you can do to help this struggling species is to raise awareness and create more incentive to protect this darling bird. 
- Gabriela Makuch

Citations:

[1]"Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux Blewitti)." ARKive. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.

[2]"Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux Blewitti) - BirdLife Species Factsheet." Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux Blewitti) - BirdLife Species Factsheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.

[3]"Forest Owlet - Our Endangered World." Our Endangered World. OEW, 2013. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.

[4]Harrison, Michelle. "Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux Blewitti)." EDGE: Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Dangered. Edgeofexistence, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.