Sleepless nights have become the new normal for residents of a community at Babena in Thimphu. The piercing screeches of white owls now echo through the neighbourhood from dusk until dawn. Once a rare sight in the capital, residents say owl numbers have noticeably increased in recent months, turning what was once a curiosity into a growing disturbance. Ornithologists say their presence in dense residential areas could signal high rodent populations due to poor waste management or even habitat loss outside the city, forcing the birds inward.
An ornithologist confirmed that the chilling night-time shrieks are the calls of barn owls. Unlike the familiar “hoot” most people associate with owls, barn owls produce a sharp, piercing screech.
They are typically cinnamon to golden-brown, with a distinctive white, heart-shaped face and a pale chest speckled with brown spots, features that make them easy to recognise, even in low light.
“I’ve seen the adult owls flying around in search of food, but I haven’t spotted the chicks. From what I understand, they tend to hoot more when the young ones are hungry,” said Sonam Rinchen, a resident of Babena, Thimphu.
“I haven’t seen the owls from behind, but from the front, they appear white in colour. Their calls are very sharp and piercing. They start hooting around 6 or 7 in the evening and continue until dawn. Their numbers also seem to have increased. It would really help us if they could be relocated somewhere else,” said Dawa Tshering, another resident of Babena, Thimphu.
Owls are often viewed as omens of misfortune. Such beliefs sometimes lead residents to shoo them away or even pelt them with stones.
“People here have been saying that owls are nesting on buildings here and there. In the past, I’ve heard some say that if the owl is white, it is considered good, while a black owl is seen as ominous. But I don’t really believe that,” said Ugyen Zangmo, also a resident of Babena, Thimphu.
“Around dusk, the owls start calling and continue until dawn. Many elderly residents here are uneasy, seeing it as an ominous sign, and often try to chase them away. Their constant screech through the night has been disturbing our sleep, as they nest and linger around the buildings,” said Dago Pem, a resident of Babena, Thimphu.
But ornithologists stress that these are misconceptions. Owls are not harmful; instead, they are important predators that help maintain ecological balance, aligning with principles of compassion and environmental stewardship.
Ornithologists told BBS that if residents find a barn owl nesting nearby, they should remain calm and avoid disturbing it. Interference can cause the birds to abandon their eggs or chicks.
They advise keeping pets and children away from nesting sites and avoiding rodenticides, which can poison owls indirectly through their prey.
Experts say an abundance of rodents and suitable roosting spaces in buildings may be attracting the owls. At the same time, habitat loss or deforestation outside Thimphu could be pushing them toward urban areas.
Allowing the owls to hunt naturally, experts add, is ecologically beneficial. They play a vital role in controlling rodent populations.
Some residents say they have noticed fewer rats around their homes, particularly on ground floors where rodents were once common.
Currently, authorities are not monitoring barn owl populations in Thimphu. However, officials say monitoring could be introduced if numbers rise significantly or urban concerns increase. This may include tracking populations, studying nesting habits, and ensuring safe coexistence between people and wildlife.
For now, what keeps some residents awake at night may, in fact, be nature quietly restoring balance.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Phub Gyem
