14th April 2010 at Dibrugarh, Assam.
A pair of Spotted Owlets are having continuous feud with a pair of Indian Rollers in our Garden over a nesting hole. After a brief retreat, the Owlets are back in possession of the hole. One of the pair always occupies the hole while the other is safely hidden somewhere in the canopy. The Rollers, on their part, dive bomb the hole with loud calls trying to dislodge the occupying owlet. While Indian Rollers are no doubt one of the most brilliantly coloured birds we have, even the most ardent bird lover would be hard pressed to enjoy their calls. Added to this are the shrieks of the Owlets themselves and the Rose-ringed Parakeets (who are neighbours). So we have a regular cacophony on here.
The Owlets now enjoy a distinct advantage as possession is nine tenths of the law J J. However, woe betide the Owlet caught in the open by the Rollers. It is mercilessly attacked. The attached photo is of an Owlet just after he alighted on our roof after one such attack. He looks absolutely frazzled. On a more serious not I wonder how they will be able to breed with this constant harassment.
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