The Status of Barn Owl (Tyto Alba)In South 24...

The Status of Barn Owl (Tyto Alba)In South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal and Impact of Rodenticide Use in Farmlands on Owl Population: A Case Study

Author Name : Suvadeep Samanta, Tarun K. Pal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2023.120124256

ABSTRACT The barn owl is a widely distributed, nocturnal bird of prey, lives generally in close association with human and agricultural lands. The bird inhabits tall trees, man-made structures, boxes on trees, and forages in grasslands and crop fields. The barn owl is beneficial as this prey mainly upon grain-eating small rodents, herbivorous insects, snakes, etc. The bird which once was common sight in rural areas of southern West Bengal has been very occasional in these days. A study was conducted in a village of South 24 Parganas district for assessing the current status of the bird and changes happened around during the past years. Interaction with the people of various age groups and their interview revealed a changing rural life and gradual decline of bird’s population. Field studies were conducted to explore barn owl’s breeding behavior, dietary habits, and constraints of livelihood and propagation. Intense changes in agriculture, use of toxic pesticides in farming, reduction of foraging habitats and rising human population seemed to cause decline of barn owl’s population. The utility of barn owls in an agro-ecosystem has been projected and benefit of their conservation has been stressed upon for human welfare and better environment.