Territorial Fight between two Owl Species

 

As we live around a wooded area in one rural part of Mysore, we are accustomed to all types of bird calls in the daytime as well as nighttime. 3 species of owl have become our Nocturnal neighbors. Indian Eagle Owl, Barn Owl, and Spotted owlet.

 

Owls are active during the nighttime. Indian Eagle Owl hoots some 50 feet away from our residence. Whereas Spotted Owlet is a frequent visitor to our terrace.  It is aware of Indian Robins’ family roosting in our portico enclosed with grill. Hence, as it cannot enter through the grill, it waits upon the terrace (close to my bedroom) hoping to prey on a Robin and/or rodents who dwell in coconut trees and make way towards the terrace during nights. Occasionally, the owlet preyed on a Robin, perhaps the robin came out of the grilled area to catch a glimpse of the Spotted owlet. However, the rodents, large in numbers wander around our terrace and all over our premises are bigger prey to these owlets. Hence, our terrace has become a favorite hunting spot for the Owlet. 

During the autumn months of October and November, Barn Owls are most active and fly over our house several times at night making eerie calls.

This year, the Barn owl must have preyed on a rodent on our terrace. Since then, the Barn Owl has become a frequent visitor to our terrace along with the owlet.  Perhaps, there had been some territorial fights between the owlet and Barn owl in the past.

 

On the night of 27^th November 2021, I happened to eavesdrop on this territorial fight between the 2 species. I was suddenly awakened by a soft clink sound on the grill or railing.  In the past, we had some human miscreants prying on the terrace at night-time and occasionally made loud clattering noises. I realized the sound was made by the Barn owl. Perhaps the brush of its claws or wings on against the railing made the sound.

A minute had passed, I heard 2 different hoots in the distance, possibly on my neighbor’s terrace, Barn owl was defending its territory from the owlet. One call was childish and the other was eerie. Since I am accustomed to these sounds during my sleep, I soon fell asleep listening to them. Once Again, I was awakened by constant eerie calls of the Barn Owl very close to my window (perhaps perched on the windowsill). The call was almost deafening to my ears and only then I realized the Barn Owl has won the battle. It is here to stay… obstinate and unwavering.

During the working hours in the daytime, I sit at the Southwest corner of the room since the Southwest corner represents expertise in a skilled area as per Vastu. I would like to gain expertise in the Affiliate Marketing Business. As per Mr. Khushdeep Bansal (Mahavastu Guru's) suggestion, keeping a picture/idol of an Owl in the southwest zone implies wisdom and insights. Thus, I installed a picture of a Flying owl on my laptop (Google account). However, my subconscious mind seemed to be researching the behavior and activities of the owls around my house at night-time.

  

I didn’t hear any cry of an owl or owlet on two succeeding nights due to light rainfall. On the following 3^rd night, the Barn Owl arrived at our terrace making a loud hissing call as it flew over our house.  To my surprise, the cry sounded moderately away from my window after it settled down on our terrace. Sometime later, I could hear Spotted owlet's chirpy calls, in the wee hours, most probably after the Barn has left. This call too sounded quite far from my window.

I woke up this morning and looked at my window.  2 days back, I had slightly moved the curtain away at one side of the window to allow a slightly bright light from my room to pass through the window glass towards the terrace. Hence the nocturnal creatures who deter any lighted area stayed away from my window from then onwards. This idea seemed to have worked on the owls.

 I didn't want to get rid of them from the terrace completely as they are useful in bringing down the rat population and also they act as night security without any payment in return.