Ilam, Nepal - August 16, 2025
A rare pair of Himalayan Wood Owls - one of the world’s least-seen owl species - has been recorded in Thumkerani, Maijogmai Rural Municipality of Ilam district, offering fresh hope for bird enthusiasts and conservationists in Nepal.
The discovery was made during a week-long monsoon birdwatching program organized alongside the Dhuase Leopard Festival, which began on August 4. Wildlife photographer Deven Kharel from Jhapa and former president of the Koshi Bird Society, Anish Timilsina, managed to capture the elusive owls on camera, marking an important record for Nepal’s avifaunal diversity.
The Himalayan Wood Owl (Strix nivicolum), a member of the owl family, is found across the Himalayan range and parts of Bhutan, Tibet, northeastern Myanmar, China, Korea, and Taiwan. However, it is rarely sighted in Nepal. According to experts, the bird inhabits coniferous and rhododendron forests at elevations between 1,000 and 3,600 meters. This latest record from Thumkerani was made at 2,350 meters.
The owl is distinguished by its round head without ear tufts, a mottled gray-and-white face, barred wings, a grayish-brown body, and a white belly streaked with fine gray lines. Its call is a deep, two-note “hoo-hoo,” often exchanged between a pair. Primarily nocturnal, the bird feeds on rodents, frogs, smaller birds, moths, and large insects.
The species breeds from late winter to spring, nesting in tree hollows or rocky crevices. Researchers warn that global populations are declining due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation, as the species relies heavily on intact forest ecosystems.
Beyond the Himalayan Wood Owl, the birdwatching survey in Ilam’s eastern highlands documented 130 bird species, underlining the region’s rich biodiversity.
“Hundreds of globally rare bird species exist in these forests, but without urgent conservation efforts, they risk disappearing forever,” said wildlife photographer Kharel, urging stronger habitat protection measures.
Ilam, with its unique mid- to high-hill ecosystems, continues to emerge as a critical site for bird research and conservation in Nepal, drawing attention to the urgent need to balance development with biodiversity protection.
