Guwahati Study Records Eight Owl Species

A scientific study conducted in Guwahati, Assam, recorded eight owl species during surveys carried out from November 2023 to July 2025. Published in the journal Urban Ecosystems, the study documented owls in 24 of 33 surveyed grid cells, each covering one square kilometre. Assam Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced the findings on 28 October 2026.

Owl Diversity and Classification

The Barn Owl and Spotted Owlet were the most frequently detected species. The other six were the Brown Hawk Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Mountain Scops Owl, Oriental Scops Owl and Asian Barred Owlet. Owls belong to the order Strigiformes, which includes the living families Tytonidae and Strigidae. Owls are generally nocturnal birds, although activity patterns vary among species.

Urban Wildlife Monitoring

The survey used a grid-based approach to record owl presence across Guwahati. Traffic and other background urban noise can mask owl calls and reduce the chance of detecting birds during surveys. Therefore, a species not detected during a survey cannot automatically be treated as absent from that location. Monitoring methods that account for detectability provide a more reliable basis for assessing wildlife populations.

Ecological Role and Habitat

Owls prey on rodents and contribute to natural control of their populations. The study identified existing vegetation, wetlands, mature trees and green patches as habitat features to conserve as the city expands. Urban noise pollution is also relevant to wildlife planning because it can interfere with the detection of nocturnal birds. The study recommended long-term wildlife monitoring alongside habitat conservation.

Important Facts for Exams

• Owls belong to the bird order Strigiformes.
• The Barn Owl and Spotted Owlet were the most frequently detected species in the Guwahati study.
• The study recorded owls in 24 of 33 one-square-kilometre grid cells.
• Urban background noise, including traffic, can mask owl calls during wildlife surveys.

The eight recorded species comprise the Barn Owl, Spotted Owlet, Brown Hawk Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Mountain Scops Owl, Oriental Scops Owl and Asian Barred Owlet. The survey period extended from November 2023 to July 2025.