New Delhi: As Diwali festivities illuminate the nation, the owl—revered as the divine vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi—takes centre stage in traditional worship. However, in everyday Indian parlance, the word ‘ullu’ is synonymous with foolishness. But is this nocturnal bird truly a fool, or has popular culture misunderstood one of nature’s most sophisticated hunters?
The misconception largely stems from the bird’s lifestyle. Because owls are nocturnal, they spend their days quietly resting in dense foliage. Their tendency to blink or look sluggish in bright daylight led people to erroneously believe they are blind or unintelligent.
However, ornithologists strongly refute this label, pointing out that owls are exceptionally evolved predators. According to avian experts, an owl’s tubular eyes cannot move in their sockets, but they provide unparalleled night vision. To compensate for the fixed eyes, nature has given them a remarkable adaptation. A study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that an owl can rotate its head up to 270 degrees without cutting off the blood supply to the brain, thanks to specialized blood vessels and 14 neck vertebrae.
Furthermore, scientists explain that their asymmetrical ears allow them to pinpoint the exact location of rustling prey in pitch darkness. Combined with serrated, velvety feathers that ensure completely silent flight, the owl is a stealthy and lethal hunter. While they may not solve complex puzzles like crows or parrots, wildlife experts maintain that their intelligence is perfectly adapted to their survival needs. Calling them foolish is scientifically unfounded.
Unfortunately, this time of year brings a darker reality. Wildlife conservation organisations issue annual warnings regarding the illegal trapping and sacrifice of owls, which is driven by Diwali-related superstitions. Under India’s Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, capturing, trading, or harming owls is a punishable offence. Instead of falling prey to myths, environmentalists urge citizens to recognize owls as a true “farmer’s friend,” given their crucial role in controlling rodent populations.
Ultimately, science and nature agree: the owl is far from foolish.