Rajesh Dhungana

The Mottled Wood Owl first appeared in June 2015 in the buffer zone of Bardia National Park, the largest national park in the Tarai of West Nepal. Subsequently, it appeared in the Sauraha area of Chitwan in September-October 2015. Based on call counts in the central area of Chitwan National Park, bird conservationist D.B. Chaudhary reported the sighting of four of these owls, including two fledglings, in Gundrahi Dhakahi Community Forest in September 2015. Similarly, observers recorded this owl in various parts of the region. The Mottled Wood Owl inhabits various national parks of Nepal, buffer zone forests, various forested areas, dense mango groves, tamarind, and banyan trees, as well as dense trees near human-occupied villages. It is a lowland species that avoids higher altitude habitats.

Across the globe, nocturnal predators like owls have been associated with nearly every era and culture. Current species found in Nepal include Barn Owl, Eastern Grass Owl, Short-earned Owl, Mountain Scops Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Rock Eagle Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Dusky Eagle Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Tawny Fish Owl, Collared Owlet, Asian Barred Owlet, Jungle Owlet, Little Owl, Spotted Owlet, Brown Hawk Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Himalayan Wood Owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Indian Eagle Owl and Long-eared Owl. 

On September 8, 2024, I was conducting wildlife photography in the Bardia National Park buffer zone with my colleague security guard Thangchu Tharu from Dalla Community Forest, Bardia. Thangchu spotted a Mottled Wood Owl perched on a large tree in Lalaikhalla Forest while we were heading to the Madhbvan Community Forest area. He tried to show it to me, but I was unable to see the owl due to its similarity in colour to the tree bark. After some time, the owl flew and sat on a bare tree branch, which allowed me to capture a picture. From there, the owl flew away and went to the dense forest. When the owl failed to return for an extended period, we decided to turn back. 

The following day, on September 10, three Mottled Wood Owls appeared in different trees at the same location, which I was able to photograph once more. Seeing three of these owls together confirmed their habitat in this location. I again visited the same spot in Bardia on November 17, 2024, and saw and photographed 2 Mottled Wood Owls. Strix ocellata is the scientific name of this owl, known as Kabrar Uluk in Nepali and Kuita in Tharu communities. It has 3 subspecies: Strix Ocellata Grisescens, Strik Ocellata Grandis, and Strix Ocellata. Nepal, India, Myanmar, and Pakistan are home to this owl. However, there have been mentions of an older specimen in Lahore, Pakistan. Currently, there are no records in Pakistan.

Features

The Mottled Wood Owl does not have ear lobes. It is smooth and vermiculated in the colour of the bark, light reddish brown and white. Well-concentric bars of black and white mark its facial disc. Its chin is white, the eyelid is orange, and the iris is dark brown. Its tail is dark grey and narrowly barred to black. The concentric barring on the face and mottled crown separate it from the brown wood owl in southern India. The owls of this species range in length from 41 to 48 cm, with males having a wingspan of 33.8 to 34.6 cm, which looks bigger when it flies. It weighs between 700 and 800 grams.

One of the most notable features of the Moottled Wood Owl is its complex structure. Its feathers are a mixture of dark brown, tan, and gray. They are arranged in a framework. It integrates seamlessly with the tree bark. 

It has a distinctive black rim, which surrounds its large, round eye. As for its eyes, they are a piercing yellow colour, which seems to glow in the darkness of the forest. This owl has a short beak that is sharp and curved. Its triathlons are equally impressive. Its long, sharp claws enable it to seize its prey.

Habitat 

It is a carnivorous bird. It mainly likes to eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. It is an opportunistic predator. Its sharp talons and powerful beak make it an efficient hunter. It can swiftly and effectively seize and kill its prey.

The Mottled Wood Owl is a species of owl that is known for its unique nesting habits. Areas with dense vegetation, such as tropical rainforests and deciduous forests, typically host this bird. In these forests, these owls prefer to nest in tree cavities. They often choose large trees with lots of leaves for their protection. It is a nocturnal bird, meaning it is most active at night and rests in its habitat during the day. It is also known as a solitary bird. However, during the breeding season, we have observed it forming small family groups. During the breeding season, it not only produces solitary hoots but also produces a peculiar, gentle tremolo sound.

The Mottled Wood Owl usually lays between 2 or 3 eggs per clutch. The eggs are creamy white in color. Female Mottled Wood Owls incubate the eggs for about 30-35 days after laying them.

Once the eggs hatch, the baby Mottled Wood Owls are born blind, relying on their parents for food and warmth. The parents take turns feeding and caring for the young. The parents also use their bodies to keep the young owls warm, huddling together in the nesting cavity to provide insulation. As the baby Mottled Wood Owls grow, they become more active and start to develop their wings and feathers. They also start exploring the surrounding area, taking their first flights outside of the nesting cavity under the watchful eye of their parents.

Senior ornithologist and conservationist Dr. Hem Sagar Baral reports that the Mottled Wood Owl, recently confirmed as Nepal's 23rd owl species, now has reliable documentation across several locations. The Mottled Wood Owl is among the least studied birds in the country. As recently as 2015, researchers discovered a large owl species in Nepal, indicating the possibility of uncovering even more. Owls are invaluable allies to farmers, naturally controlling pests and vermin. We have every reason to protect these remarkable birds—not just for ourselves but for future generations.”


Threats

According to D.B. Chaudhary of Laukhani in Kawaswoti Municipality of Nawalpur district, there is a superstition in the Tharu community that, when the locals fall ill, they attribute this owl to being a disease-carrying bird. Therefore, they chase the owl away with shouts and stones, which puts it at risk.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Mottled Wood Owl as a species of Least Concern, indicating that its population is stable and not currently at risk of extinction. However, human activities such as deforestation and logging pose threats to the species by causing habitat loss and degradation, challenges faced by many wildlife species.

(The author is a wildlife photographer. Photos used in this article are by the author.)-The Rising Nepal