Look into my eyes, deep into my eyes!
A hypnotic Chestnut-backed Owlet beckons you
“I am a huge fearsome bird, my wings can blot out the sun, I can carry an elephant in each of my claws! Hmmm, the hypnosis is not working is it? You don’t seem convinced. I’m just trying something different to help my species thrive. It’s a bit difficult being a small, stocky endemic species who prefers dense, low and mid country wet zone forests. A bit too particular in our tastes. We need to be open to expansion! What did you say? I look a lot like a Jungle Owlet? Well I never! We have different coloured feathers! Can you not see the chestnut brown feathers with darker barring on my upperparts, scapulars and wing coverts?”
Fun Facts
“We also need to be more sociable. I keep telling my people that. All we do is spend time at the tops of the trees till the evening, and then go hunting. Yes it’s all very good for swooping down undetected to catch insects, mice, small lizards, and smaller birds, but there’s more to life than being a night owl. Haha, that was an unintended pun. Anyway, I’ve almost given up trying to change the habits of my species, which is why I was trying to hypnotise you, in the hopes that I can get you to plant more trees. Speaking of trees, it’s mating season and I need to find a nice tree hole to lay my eggs in! Goodbye… k’raw… k’raw… k’raw!”
Story of the Photo
Sinharaja Rain Forest and Kitulgala are two of the well known habitats of the Chestnut-backed Owlet. Dilum was out on an evening walk, whilst staying at Explorer by Eco Team in Sinharaja, when he spotted this curious bird way up in the trees.
