Mottled Wood Owl | Kalan Kozhy | Thachan Kozhy | Netoolan | Netilan | Strix ocellata | കാലൻകോഴി

Today we are going to familiarize the bird “Mottled Wood Owl. In ‘Malayalam’ vernacular, the bird s called as “Kalan Kozhy”.
Thachan kozhy, Netoolan, Netilan are the other names of the bird

Scientific name is Strix ocellata.
Mottled wood owl is a resident bird of Kerala. Of the three subspecies recorded, S. o. ocellata occurs in Kerala.

The strange and frightening call of the bird has been believed to be associated with ill omen in some parts of Kerala. The call is an antiphonal duet of male bird and female usually heard in late evening and midnight. They make calls one or two times followed by female’s shorter and less tremulous version.

Generally, the calls of owls are hated and that of Mottled Wood owl are more frightening and considered as an indicator of death in that village. Also believed the bird is a messenger of Yama, the God of Death. The eerie call of the bird “Hoo ah-ah hoovaa” is interpreted as let us go to heaven.

If the bird makes the calls from a tree in the house compound, it is believed that death is sure in that house. Also believed that if the bird makes calls perching on the roof of the house, it brings prosperity.

Diet consists mainly of rats, mice, other rodents and small birds, also lizards, large insects such as lizards.

The bird occurs in open woodlands, lowland hills, wooded areas in villages, sacred groves, areas with densely foliaged trees, especially tamerind, mango, banyan trees on outskirts of villages and cultivated areas.

The bird is of size of a hen and about 40-50 cm long. The upper parts are gray, mottled and vermiculated with reddish brown, white , black and buff. Flight feathers and tail barred, grayish brown and black. Facial disc is masked with fine concentric black and white barrings and some rufous orange mottling. Chins white, throat chestnut and black with white stipplings. Prominent white collar on neckside. The eyelid is orange and the iris is dark brown. Cere and bill horn black. Tail feathers are barred narrowly in brown and black. The underparts are white to golden with narrow blackish cross bars. Sexes are alike. Juvenile bird has white crown, whitish nape, mantle and wing coverts with narrow black bars.

Three subspecies of the bird has been recognized on the basis mainly on wing span, and tone of upper parts. Strix ocellate ocellate occurs in Kerala.

The breeding period is November to December and most nests are found from February to April. During the season calls consist of a single metallic hoots and occasional screech.

The nest usually a natural tree hollow or creak in trees, which open to sky. Lays 2-3 white eggs . They feed mice and small mammals.

In IUCN Red list, the bird is included under “ least Concern’.