Speaking at the Nane Nane Exhibitions which take place in Simiyu, Dr. Georgies Mgode, a Researcher from Sokoine University of Agriculture’s Pest Management Center said contrary to popular belief about the owl bird being used in superstitious practices, owls can be a savior of farmers that helps to eliminate rodents and pests that destroy crops on the farm.

"The owl has a great ability to see at night so it hunts small animals like rats, insects and even birds" said Dr. Mgode.

Dr. Mgode added that owls like to eat rats so when they are in the field in large numbers, they significantly reduce the number of rats where in one day the owl is able to eat an average of twelve (12) rats.

"Some species of owls live in groups and hunt in groups together so within a single season one owl can eat hundreds of small rodents so owls can easily control the rat and help farmers to reduce the use of chemicals in the field" said Dr. Mgode.

Explaining how to attract owls and breed in large numbers, Dr. Mgode said owls need to be provided with good conditions such as building nests for living and pillars for standing at night when they are hunting.

"Nests can be made in the form of boxes and hung on trees or poles but where there are enough trees there is no need to make nests," said Dr. Mgode.

The owl is a bird that eats meat and makes prey at night and rests during the day. There are about 200 species of owls where most of them like to live alone where they hunt small animals like rats, insects and even birds.

Story Credits
Ms. Mariam Mwayela
Communication and Marketing Department
Sokoine University of Agriculture