Guardians of the Darkness: Owls of Kabini | Evolve Back Kabini

We had just completed our second safari for the day and were on our way back to Evolve Back Kabini. The setting sun, cool evening breeze and the villagescape reset my nervous system in minutes. But the day was far from done.

Our Naturalist had planned early for something rather special: a night trail. I have been to Kabini before but never before have I ventured to the riverside or the forest fringes after dark, to look for owls and frogs. How thrilling!

Soon after dinner at the resort we gathered with the other guests for a briefing at the lobby. We were a group of five nature lovers in all, from different walks of life. As the quick session concluded, among the many points to remember, I pinned the last one made by our Naturalist - please learn to see with your ears in the dark. Such a grand idea! I knew we would use torchlights to scan the area for night birds but there would also be periods of complete darkness during the walk, in order to allow the animals their privacy by reducing the use of LED lights unnecessarily.

We made a train with the Naturalist leading and each member of the group behind one another. As we stepped carefully and softly on the leaf litter, making our way through narrow wooded passageways, our senses were soothed by the night blooms filling the air with their sweet fragrance. There is something about a forest after sunset that feels like stepping into an entirely different world. The familiar landmarks of the day slowly dissolve into silhouettes. Crickets and frogs started a chorus, with owls hooting in between. We finally found our way to the river that now seemed like a dark ribbon reflecting strips of moonlight. The trees seemed like looming shadows, and suddenly the night was ruled by creatures we barely notice in the daytime. It was then that I realised how accurate the instructions of our Naturalist had been. The first thing one notices on a night walk is not what you see, but what you hear. Every few minutes, an unfamiliar call would stop us in our tracks, sending torch beams scanning branches overhead.

And there it was! Our first owl of the night.

He was a tiny but charismatic fellow, the Spotted Owlet. Perched confidently on an electric wire near a small hut, it looked almost comically round, with bright yellow eyes and expressive white eyebrows that gave it a surprised look.

The group had stopped walking and our Naturalist briefly beamed the torchlight to indicate the position of the bird. He then went on, “This is perhaps one of the most adaptable owls in India, often choosing to live unbelievably close to humans. Unlike many forest specialists, it is perfectly comfortable in agricultural landscapes, old village groves, orchards, and even urban edges, as long as there are cavities in old trees or abandoned buildings for nesting”.

Considering how small it is, the Spotted Owlet is a remarkably efficient hunter. We watched it bob its head repeatedly, a behavior that helps the bird to gauge depth before it swoops down on its prey. The owl’s diet includes beetles, grasshoppers, rodents, small lizards, and even the occasional tiny birds. We held our breath, stood still and made sure none of us moved a muscle. The owl hunted in a classic sit-and-wait method: for several minutes it perched quietly, scanned the surrounding forest and then in a flash it launched!

The spotted owlet, scientifically known as Athene brama, by its name brings together classical and South Asian cultural influences. The genus name Athene is derived from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, strategy, and learning. In ancient Greek symbolism, the owl was sacred to Athena and came to represent keen perception and insight, the ability to “see” in the dark, both literally and metaphorically. While Athena herself is not strictly a “goddess of the night,” her close association with owls, creatures of twilight and darkness, likely inspired the naming.

The species name brama is thought to be a Latinised form of Brahma, the creator deity in Hindu mythology. Although owls are more directly associated with Lakshmi in Hindu iconography, the inclusion of “brama” may reflect a broader cultural reverence for divine symbolism and wisdom. In Indian traditions, owls often carry layered meanings, ranging from guardianship and foresight to omens and mysticism.

We skirted the riverside, in formation. The moon over the horizon was waxing and the waves of reflection draped the scene in a melancholic light, An hour passed in the blink of an eye as we walked around sleepy villages and narrow lanes. On the way we spotted some wonderful moths and geckos. As we took a pause under a large banyan tree our Naturalist scanned the branches with his torchlight. I took a sip of water from the bottle in my backpack and nearly choked on it when a member of the group shot a finger in the air and yelped, “What’s that!”. My eyes traced an invisible straight line following her finger to a thick branch and our Naturalist pointed straight at a fluffy fellow there. We were thrilled to find a large Brown Fish Owl there but the locals around us smiled knowingly. This seemed to be a favourite haunt of the bird.

It perched quietly, with its head tucked in. Its slightly hunched posture and relaxed grip on the branch made it seem like it had just finished a satisfying meal and was now on the verge of drifting into sleep. We were all so quiet we could hear beside the gently flowing Kabini River nearby.

Unlike many owls that retreat deeper into dense foliage, this one appeared comfortable out in the open, its gorgeous brown plumage blending seamlessly with the bark. One of its most distinctive features is the pair of prominent, outward-pointing ear tufts, giving it a perpetually alert, almost stern expression. Yet, in that moment, it looked anything but stern. Another remarkable ability of this species is its specialisation in hunting aquatic prey. With powerful talons and keen eyesight adapted to low light, it often feeds on fish, frogs, and other riverbank creatures, making habitats like Kabini ideal for it.

As we stood watching, it barely acknowledged our presence. With only one eye open it embodied a calm confidence. The forest dimmed further, and the owl seemed to sink deeper into stillness as we continued on our way. The encounter was a reminder that even the most efficient hunters need their quiet moments of uninterrupted rest.

Continue your booking