The Sri Lanka bay owl is a species of bay owl in the family Tytonidae. It is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats in Kerala, South Western India. It was considered a subspecies of the Oriental bay owl but is now treated as a full species due to its distinctive call, plumage and disjunct distribution.
Region
Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats (India)
Typical Environment
Occurs in the wet zone rainforests of Sri Lanka and in the evergreen and shola forests of the southwestern Western Ghats in India. It inhabits dense understory and mid-story of primary and mature secondary forests, often near streams and ravines. By day it roosts in tree cavities, vine tangles, dense bamboo, or occasionally caves. At night it forages along forest trails, edges, and clearings within otherwise closed-canopy habitats.
Altitude Range
100–2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This elusive rainforest owl was long treated as a subspecies of the Oriental bay owl but is now recognized as distinct based on its haunting, whistled call and plumage details. It lives in dense, wet forests of Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India, where it is more often heard than seen. The species favors cavities and hidden roosts, making reliable sightings rare.
Temperament
secretive and nocturnal
Flight Pattern
buoyant, silent flight with short glides through dense forest
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during the breeding season. Nests in tree cavities or hollows, sometimes using natural crevices. Territorial calling is common at night, especially during courtship. Parental care is shared, with chicks reared in concealed sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, plaintive whistles and drawn-out notes, often descending in pitch. Calls carry far in humid forest at night and are a key means of detecting the species. Vocalizations differ noticeably from the Oriental bay owl.
