“Barny’s Visit”: A Barn Owl’s Unexpected Arrival at Home & the Conservation Lessons

In mid-October 2023, on a seemingly ordinary day, my life took an extraordinary turn when I was woken up by a knock on my door from a concerned neighbour. She was worried about a strange bird perched on our apartment’s common floor’s rusted iron ladder. When I had first peeped at the bird, I was awestruck by its sighting – it was a full grown barn owl roosting calmly.

Such a magnificent creature I had never encountered in my over ten years of living in the bustling neighbourhood of Goregaon, Mumbai. In our area, we are accustomed to pesky pigeons as our primary avian companions, and to deter them, our building had installed bird nets on every floor. So the owl’s arrival was quite a delightful but strange change of scenery. I told neighbours on my floor to let the bird be and not be scared of its presence. I thought it was likely to fly away at night. Little did I know that this feathered visitor, would lead me on an incredible ornithological adventure. The nocturnal bird stayed on for three days at the spot, engaging me in lot of research and action.

Discovering the Enigmatic Barn Owl in Urban Mumbai

As a struggling student of the Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS) ornithology course, I embraced the opportunity of the Barn Owl’s presence right outside my door to study this enigmatic bird up close. I even named it – Barny. First up, I couldn’t help but wonder how Barny had ventured into our building floor, which was fully netted everywhere to keep the pesky pigeons at bay. May be Barny might have flown in from the Aarey Forest area in the proximity and might been victim of some pesky crow attacks. Also, having started to read more about Barn Owls in Mumbai, I came to know that there are many such instances of the bird taking shelter in urban homes.

Mumbai: More wild birds entering urban areas as greenery shrinks- Indian Express

Barn Owls Thriving on Mumbai’s Nightlife – THE TIMES OF INDIA 

Bombay’s Barn Owls – Indian Wildlife Club 

It is quite interesting how these magnificent birds are poignant reminder of nature’s resilience and its ability to adapt to ever-evolving urban landscapes. Also, lesson for us to return the favour equally well and adapt to their presence.

Unraveling the Mystique of Owls: Guardians of Ecological Balance

As I dived into my research on barn owls, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of responsibility towards Barny. But before I embark on my journey with Barny, let’s delve deeper into the captivating world of owls. With around 200 species globally, owls are solitary, nocturnal birds of prey with distinctive features such as their upright stance, large, broad heads, binocular vision, and binaural hearing. Interestingly, a group of owls is charmingly referred to as a “Parliament,” adding a whimsical touch to their mystique.

In India, we are fortunate to host 30-34 owl species belonging to the families Tytonidae (Barn owls) and Strigidae (typical owls). Each species is unique and plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling rodent populations.

While owls are very adaptive to changing nature, urban areas can pose unexpected challenges for them. With bird nets enclosing our building, Barny appeared to be trapped, unable to find his way back to the wild. Also, its sharp hearing sense means the noise pollution in cities that even makes humans suffer can be crippling for the wild birds.

Read More about Owls of India 

Common Owls of India and Nepal – Paper by Bikash Ghimire

Owl Out!: The Trailblazing Journey of Finding All Owls in the Indian Subcontinent in One Year! -by Dhiraj Singh(Author)

The Concise Book of Owls: A Guide to Nature’s Most Mysterious Birds – by Lochlainn Seabrook(Author)

While I was diligently conducting my owl research, I simultaneously kept a watchful eye on Barny. I observed how he would pivot his head in the direction of even the faintest sound emanating from the opening of any door on our apartment building floor. Most of the time, he assumed a meditative posture, with his eyes closed, resembling a monk in deep contemplation. I took the opportunity to reassure my neighbours, urging them not to be afraid of the bird since, in reality, he was more likely frightened of us.

Confronting Superstitions and Illegal Owl Trade: The Perils Faced by Owls

In reality, owls pose no threat to humans; rather, it is humans who endanger these magnificent creatures. Owls serve as nature’s own pest control, preying on rodents that often prove to be harmful agricultural pests. By safeguarding owls, we not only enhance rodent control, thereby reducing crop losses, but also contribute to the preservation of ecological diversity. This is where the vital roles of education and awareness come into play.

Regrettably, owls have been burdened with misconceptions around the world. While many may regard them as harbingers of doom or messengers of death.  In my experience, Barny’s arrival brought me some positive news and prosperity. Sadly, these widespread superstitions do not bode well for the survival of these remarkable birds. In various parts of the world, owls are subjected to use in traditional medicines in places like China and Korea, and they often become entangled in practices related to black magic and witchcraft in Africa.

Bound, choked and tortured—Diwali isn’t bright for Indian owls – The Print 

Know it ‘Owl’: Ritualistic Sacrifices of Owls During Diwali- WildlifeSOS

India, in particular, has witnessed a significant illegal trade in owls, particularly during festivals such as Diwali. During these occasions, owls are employed in various rituals, including traditional medicine and superstitious beliefs. In Indian mythology, owls are associated with Goddess Lakshmi, who is revered as the bestower of wealth. Consequently, during this time of year, tantrics and followers of superstitions engage in the sacrifice of these magnificent owls, believing it will prevent the departure of Lakshmi from their lives.

Barny’s Stay: Three Days of Connection and Concern

Since Barny had arrived in my building just about a month before Diwali, I was increasingly worried that he might fall into the wrong hands and be sacrificed in the name of wealth accumulation. To prevent this, I kept a vigilant eye on him during the second night he perched on the ladder.

I would wake up at odd hours in the night, peering out to see if he had flown out to hunt or was still there. Barny would often swivel his head, showcasing his remarkable ability to rotate it 360 degrees, and look at me with his sharp yet gentle eyes.

On the third day of Barny’s stay, I decided to reach out to fellow bird enthusiasts, and together, we devised a plan to facilitate Barny’s safe return to his natural habitat. While I remained concerned about his survival, given that he had possibly not eaten anything in the past two days, Barny displayed remarkable resilience.

Each time I checked on him, he would gaze back at me with his heart-shaped, endearing face, forging a deep connection despite my ongoing worries.

A Bittersweet Farewell: The Owl’s Daytime Departure

I also informed my fellow society members about Barny and my ongoing efforts to find a solution for the owl’s safe release. However, due to a series of miscommunications, our society committee decided to engage a local bird rescue team known as “Bird Save” from Goregaon, Malad. The rescue team arrived around noon. They initiated the process by carefully cutting a portion of the bird net covering the building’s window, with the intention of capturing the apprehensive Barny.

But in an unexpected turn of events, as soon as the light poured in, Barny, the owl, made a swift and daring flight back into the open. It was an unplanned daytime escapade for a nocturnal bird. Regrettably, I was away at work when this remarkable moment unfolded, and while my society members had the best of intentions, the circumstances surrounding Barny’s departure were far from ideal. I could only hope and pray that Barny would find a safer habitat and evade any potential encounters with the crow gang.

Though I missed the opportunity to bid a proper farewell to Barny when he/she took flight, the experience left an indelible positive impact on me.

It ignited a deep interest in the incredible world of owls, leading me to choose this fascinating species as the subject of my ornithology course report.

Note of Gratitude: Be Barny’s Friend & Preserve the Owls

In my journey to assist Barny, I found invaluable guidance and support from the dedicated members of the BNHS conservation and awareness group. Their unwavering concern and constant updates provided solace during this owl-centric ordeal. I am also immensely grateful to my friend Percy Avari, a veterinarian and bird expert, with a specialization in poultry and a vulture expert, who not only offered valuable guidance on the Barn Owl rescue but also introduced me to the remarkable NGO RAWW (Rescue and Awareness for Wildlife) based in Mumbai. RAWW tirelessly works towards mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and promoting the conservation of urban wildlife.

Lastly, I wish to dedicate this experience to the memory of the great “birdman of India,” Dr. Salim Ali, whose birth anniversary coincides with Diwali in 2023, celebrated on the 12th of November. As we illuminate our lives during the “festival of lights,” let us also kindle compassion for all the animals and birds that grace our planet. In a world where wealth takes many forms, these creatures offer a unique and priceless treasure. Wishing you all a Happy Diwali filled with empathy and respect for the animals and birds that share our world.