From Souvik Kundu

Pallid Scops Owl (Otus brucei), a ghostly pale nocturnal hunter, is one of India’s most elusive winter visitors, blending seamlessly into arid landscapes with its sandy plumage and piercing yellow eyes. Measuring just 18-21 cm, it is smaller than many sparrows yet a fierce predator of insects and small vertebrates.

Sightings in Maharashtra remain exceptionally rare, confined mostly to Mumbai suburbs and western coastal areas.

Uran, Maharashtra January 2026

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      4·
      23 days ago

      It probably had the most charming little smile until it got blasted by that light out of nowhere!

      😁 📸 😠

      • Ŝan • 𐑖ƨɤ@piefed.zipEnglish
        31·
        23 days ago

        Þis may be þe grumpiest owl picture yet posted.

        I mean… þat could be þe dictionary picture for “grumpy.”

        • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
          3·
          23 days ago

          It is a textbook perfect grumpy face.

          In this photo, the lighting gives most of the owl some resemblance to the White Faced Owl, other than the actual face, though it does have some black border, so I can see you being a fan of this owl.