Prajakta Hushangabdkar
Barn Owl rescue at Amravati- camp road, lateevening 7.15pm, on date of 3rd February 2012.
Team member Adwait Keole of ANT program, founda Barn Owl on the road side and the Owl was not able to fly. He took the owl toa veterinary hospital for treatment. Afterthe primary observations doctors said it was suffering from an internal injury.The owlflew
away after treatment ofits wound.
The Barn Owl is a large and powerful bird. The Barn Owl has a wingspan of 107centimetres (42
inches). It is a pale, long-winged, long-legged owlwith a short squarish tail. Tail shape is a way of distinguishing the Barn Owl when seen in flight, as are the waveringmotions and the open dangling feathered legs. The light face with its heartshape and
the black eyes give the flying bird an odd and startling appearance,like a flat mask with oversized oblique black eye slits, the ridge of feathersabove the bill somewhat resembling a nose. It mainly feeds on small mammals rat,mice and hares.Mostly sighted
nearold constructions and grain storage areas. Protected in the Indian wildlifeprotection act 1972.
Major threats:
1. People used to hunt them for feathers.
2. They have huge demand in black market since some orthodox people believethat they show hidden gold.
Like most animals that were in abundance in theirnatural habitat, man has through irresponsible hunting
and careless use oftheir environment been responsible for placing this species, like so manyothers onto the endangered list.