Night watchers: Study records 8 owl species across Guwahati

Guwahati: A study has recorded eight owl species in Guwahati and found that common urban-adapted species continue to occupy diverse habitats across the city. The species are barn owl, spotted owl, brown hawk, brown fish, collared scops, mountain scops, oriental scops and Asian barred owlet.

The study, titled “Patterns and predictors of owl occupancy in a rapidly urbanising subtropical city, Guwahati, India”, by Debangini Roy, Shubhankar Khangar and Pankaj Koparde assessed the occupancy patterns of owls across different land-use categories in the city between Nov 2023 and July 2025.

The study revealed that out of the eight owl species detected, the Barn Owl (Tyto javanica) and the Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) were the most frequently detected species, with both maintaining relatively high occupancy across the urban landscape despite their low detectability. “Ambient noise emerged as the most consistent factor reducing the likelihood of detecting owls in both multispecies and species-specific models.

The findings highlight how urban soundscapes can influence wildlife monitoring, particularly for nocturnal birds that rely on acoustic signals for communication and whose presence may be overlooked during surveys,” the researchers stated. The researchers found that estimates based solely on actual detections consistently underestimated owl occupancy compared with model-based estimates that accounted for imperfect detection, and this suggests that owls may be present in more areas than conventional surveys indicate.

In contrast, the researchers said the habitat characteristics showed weaker and more species-specific associations with occupancy. “The continued presence of Barn Owls and Spotted Owlets across the urban matrix points to a degree of human commensalism, with the species continuing to use urban environments even where different land-use types occur nearby,” they stated.

Assam forest minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said, “These findings remind us that our cities support a diverse range of wildlife, even when many species remain hidden from everyday view.” Baruah said owls play an important ecological role, including helping to control rodent populations naturally, and protecting their habitats can benefit both biodiversity and urban communities.

“The research found that background noise, particularly the sound of traffic and the general urban environment, could mask owl calls and reduce the likelihood of detecting the birds. This means that an owl going unnoticed during a survey does not necessarily indicate its absence,” he added.

He further added that the study also highlighted why scientific monitoring must account for detection challenges when assessing urban wildlife populations. The minister further said, “As Guwahati continues to expand, we have an opportunity to build a future in which development and nature progress together.

Conserving existing vegetation, wetlands, mature trees and green patches can help sustain wildlife habitats amid changing land use.” Considering noise pollution in urban planning and strengthening long-term wildlife monitoring can further support these efforts, he added. “By protecting green spaces and recognising the ecological value of nocturnal wildlife, we can help Guwahati grow while preserving its natural heritage.

Every owl that thrives in our city is a reminder that a greener, more wildlife-friendly Guwahati is possible when conservation becomes part of the way we plan our future,” he added.