The forest owlet is endemic to the forests of central India. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2018, as the population is estimated at fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. It is threatened foremost by deforestation.
Region
Central India
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in dry to moist-deciduous forests, especially teak-dominated tracts with scattered large snags and an open to moderately open understory. Strongholds include protected and buffer areas in the Satpura hills of Maharashtra and adjacent Madhya Pradesh. It favors forest edges, clearings, and lightly disturbed woodland where perch-hunting is effective. Nesting is in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes in mature trees. The distribution is highly fragmented and populations are isolated.
Altitude Range
200–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Long feared extinct, the Forest Owlet was dramatically rediscovered in 1997 after more than a century without confirmed records. It inhabits dry deciduous forests of central India and relies on mature trees with cavities for nesting. The species is largely diurnal for an owl, often hunting from exposed perches. Major threats include deforestation, selective logging, and habitat fragmentation.
The whitish underside and small size are distinctive
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs. Breeds in tree cavities, with pairs defending small territories in suitable forest patches. The female primarily incubates while the male provides food; fledglings remain near the nest site for weeks. Roosts by day in cavities or dense foliage.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include a series of clear, spaced whistled notes and short, sharp calls. Duetting may occur between pair members, especially at dawn and dusk. Alarm calls are harsher and more chattering.
