Phodilus – Bay owls

Found in parts of South and Southeast Asia, these owls look familiar and strange simultaneously—like a mashup of the classic barn owl and a mythical creature from a storybook. Their most striking feature is their heart-shaped facial disc, similar to barn owls, but with a dramatic twist: bay owls have deeply notched, almost mask-like faces that give them a slightly eerie, yet beautiful, appearance. This unique look sets them apart from other owls and has made them subjects of fascination and folklore wherever they are found.

Bay owls are generally small to medium-sized, with warm chestnut, rufous, and buff tones in their plumage—hence the name “bay” owl. Their earthy colors help them disappear into the forest at night or blend into tree hollows by day, where they spend most of their time roosting. Unlike many owls that are often seen perched in the open, bay owls are elusive and shy, preferring dense forests and well-hidden spots. Because of this secretive lifestyle, they are rarely seen, and much about their behavior is still shrouded in mystery.

What we do know is that Phodilus owls are nocturnal hunters, swooping silently to catch insects, small mammals, and birds in the dark. Their large, forward-facing eyes give them excellent night vision, and like other owls, they have specialized feathers that let them fly in near silence. But it’s their weird, almost otherworldly calls that add to their mystique—ranging from eerie whistles to quavering cries, these sounds echo through forests at night, often startling anyone unfamiliar with them. In some cultures, their strange voices have been linked to ghostly spirits or omens, adding to their reputation as “mystery owls.”