Sunday Times 2
“ Owl o?” unmasking the night’s wisest hunters in Colombo
View(s):On August 3, as the sun dips below the skyline of Colombo, the Faculty of Science at the University of Colombo transforms into a hub of nocturnal curiosity and discovery. The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL), one of the island’s leading organisations in bird conservation and research, will host the International Owl Awareness Day for the third consecutive year. Initiated by Professor Nihal Dayawansa, the current President of FOGSL, in 2023, the event this year will be conducted under the theme “wehs Owl o?”. The main aim of this event is to deepen the public interest in Sri Lanka’s mysterious night birds and to highlight the urgent need for their protection.
Sri Lanka is home to 11 resident owl species and 1 migratory owl species belonging to two families: Strigidae (True Owls), with 10 species, and Tytonidae (Barn Owls), with 2 species. Among these, the Chestnut backed Owlet and the Serendib Scops Owl are endemic, meaning they are found uniquely in Sri Lanka and nowhere else in the world. The Short-eared Owl, although not a resident, is a very rare winter visitor who has also been spotted this year. Of the more common species, the Indian Scops Owl and Brown Hawk Owl are frequently seen even in semi urban and garden rich neighborhoods, showing their remarkable adaptability to human modified landscapes.
Despite their quiet presence, owls in Sri Lanka face growing conservation challenges. According to the National Red List of Sri Lanka, of the 11 resident species, four are listed as Least Concern, five as Near Threatened, one is Vulnerable, and two are Endangered with one of the endangered species being endemic and another vulnerable (Kotagama and Rathnavira, 2017). Field experts warn that threats such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation, electrocution, and superstitions rooted in folklore are few of the main reasons that put these species at risk. With very limited research and conservation attention directed specifically at owls, there is an urgent call for long term ecological studies, stronger legal protection, and widespread public education to ensure their survival.
The programme this year will be conducted under the guidance of Professor Nihal Dayawansa, the President, along with the third- and fourth-year Zoology Undergraduates of the Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, University of Colombo. It is to commence at 4 pm, in the University premises, and will feature a diverse lineup of scientists, field experts, and nature lovers. Among the key participants of the night are Vidyajothi Professor Emeritus Sarath Kotagama, Professor Nihal Dayawansa, Deepal Warakagoda, President of Ceylon Bird club, Honorary Life Member of FOGSL and one of Sri Lanka’s foremost experts in bird vocalization, and a co-discoverer of the endemic Serendib Scops Owl, Dr Jagath Gunawardhana, along with a wide circle of conservationists, academics, and bird enthusiasts from across the island. Together, they will share their expertise, experiences, and stories to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of these often-misunderstood nighttime creatures.
In addition to awareness talks and interactive sessions, the event will include a special “Night Owl Census” activity that will be conducted across select green spaces in and around the bustling Colombo city. These surveys, which gained significant attention during last year’s celebration, provide participants with the rare opportunity to listen for owl calls, observe their behaviors, and collect data on the species presence in urban environments. In 2023, 33 individuals were recorded whereas in 2024, 41 individuals were recorded in this manner. There was a total of 3 species identified during the census; the Brown-Hawk Owl/ Brown Boobook, the Indian Scops Owl, and the Barn Owl, demonstrating that Colombo still supports a diverse array of owls even amidst growing urbanization. These real time citizen science activities not only raise public awareness but also contribute valuable information to scientific monitoring and conservation efforts.
Events like International Owl Awareness Day are therefore crucial. They serve as more than just public gatherings, they are platforms for education, advocacy, and community involvement. By blending science with storytelling, direct observation, and real world conservation insights, FOGSL aims to inspire a new generation of citizens to see owls not as omens or background wildlife, but as vital components of Sri Lanka’s natural heritage.
All FOGSL members are warmly invited to take part in this unique event and those interested are requested to register in advance to FOGSL. Whether you’re an experienced birder or someone who has simply wondered about the calls you hear at night, “wehs Owl o?” is an invitation to look closer, listen deeper, and care more.
Come be part of this night where wisdom takes flight under starlit skies because the night belongs to owls, and they have stories to tell.
Kosala Abeykoon and Shambhavee Uthiran
Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka
University of Colombo