Owls in focus: 12th Nepal owl festival wraps up in Dhanusha

The 12th Nepal Owl Festival 2025 took place on February 7 and 8 in Mithila Bihari Municipality Wards 2 and 3, Dhanusha. Organized by the Mithila Wildlife Trust in collaboration with Friends of Nature, the event aimed to raise awareness about owl and Huchil (Eagle Owl) conservation. Nepal has hosted this festival since 2012.

Owls are silent hunters with specialized feathers that allow noiseless flight, making them effective nocturnal predators. Their large eyes provide excellent night vision, while their ability to rotate their heads 270 degrees helps them scan their surroundings. With asymmetrical ear placement, owls have exceptional hearing, enabling them to locate prey even in complete darkness. They play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations, benefiting farmers and ecosystems. Symbolizing wisdom and mystery in various cultures, owls are found worldwide, with 23 species recorded in Nepal.

Photo courtesy: Sushil Shrestha