№ 62 of 100
Forest Owlet
Athene blewitti
Lost to science for 113 years, this small day-hunting owl was rediscovered in 1997 in central India's teak forests.
- Range
- India
- Region
- Asia
- Habitat
- Dry deciduous teak forest of central India
Field notes
- Size
- 23 cm (length)
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
The story
The forest owlet hunts lizards and rodents in broad daylight from bare teak branches. Rediscovered after more than a century of presumed extinction, they survive in scattered forest blocks where conservationists work with forest departments and villages to keep mature teak standing.
What's killing them
- Forest clearance and illegal logging
- Firewood collection
- Patchy, fragmented range
Who's fighting for them
Logos are the property of their respective organisations and link to their official sites.
Quick answers
How many Forest Owlet are left in the world?
Approximately ~250–1,000. The Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and their population trend is declining. Figures are estimates compiled from the IUCN Red List and conservation organisations.
Where does the Forest Owlet live?
The Forest Owlet is found in India (Asia). Their habitat: Dry deciduous teak forest of central India.
Why is the Forest Owlet endangered?
The main threats to the Forest Owlet are: Forest clearance and illegal logging; Firewood collection; Patchy, fragmented range.
Who is working to save the Forest Owlet?
Organisations working on Forest Owlet conservation include BirdLife International; World Wide Fund for Nature.
Where they live
Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra · India · Asia — Approximate range. Click the map to zoom.