Spotted Owlets in Urban Environments
Spotted owlets (Athene brama) are captivating birds of prey that have adapted quite well to urban environments. Their general appearance includes a distinct round head with white eyebrows and spotted plumage on the upperparts, accompanied by a whitish belly. They are small in size, measuring around 8 inches in length, and display striking yellow eyes.
These owlets are nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. Despite their diminutive size, they display fearless behavior, often perching prominently and hunting openly even in well-lit urban areas. Their diet primarily consists of insects such as beetles, moths, grasshoppers, and occasionally small rodents or reptiles.
In terms of nesting habits, spotted owlets are known for their adaptability. They readily make use of man-made structures like buildings, old trees, or nest boxes to create their homes. Their nests are often located in the cavities of these structures and can be easily accessed.
One particularly intriguing behavior of the spotted owlet is its social nature. They form monogamous pairs and are frequently found in colonies. The communal roosting and nesting habits of these owls are uncommon among raptors and add to their distinctive characteristics. Additionally, they are known to exhibit a wide range of vocalizations, including hissing, chattering, and various calls, making them quite vocal for their size.
Overall, the adaptation of spotted owlets to urban habitats, their social behaviors, and their hunting techniques make them unique and captivating urban-dwelling owls.
Since the last few weeks, I have noticed a small family of these magnificent birds on a tree within acceptable camera range. The fluffy birds with curious yellow eyes and their antics, be it dozing off slightly in the summer evenings or preening themselves or hopping about, branch to branch, form for quite a bit of light entertainment as well. While post-processing these images, I asked Leonardo what it thought would images of spotted owlets in steampunk gear look like and the following was the best response. Pretty much on point, I would say!
While these birds are fairly common, they do enjoy their privacies and are hence not widely seen by a lot of people during the day; I feel quite elated to spot them nearby and in a way maybe this owl family has come to recognize me as well. If there is progress in this relationship, there shall be more posts on the same for sure.
The camera used is a Nikon D7200 coupled with a Tamron 18-140mm lens.
When was the last time you spotted an unusual bird in your locality? Tell us all in the comments below.
Cheers!!
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