Guwahati, Oct. 27 -- A study has recorded eight owl species across Guwahati, identifying ambient noise as a major factor affecting researchers' ability to detect the nocturnal birds in the city.

The research, published in the journal Urban Ecosystems under Springer Nature, found that owls were recorded in 24 of the 33 one-square-kilometre grid cells surveyed between November 2023 and July 2025. The Barn Owl and Spotted Owlet were the most frequently detected species.

Researchers found that rising ambient noise reduced the likelihood of detecting owls during field surveys. They cautioned that failing to hear or spot an owl does not necessarily mean the species is absent from a particular location.

The study was conducted by Debangini Ro...