African barred owlet

The African barred owlet is a delightful small owl that inhabits southern, central, and eastern Africa. Some ornithologists debate whether this owl represents a single species or four distinct species due to its varying appearances across regions.

Appearance

This owl displays a beautiful greyish-brown plumage adorned with buff-colored bars. It features a striking white eyebrow and white markings on its wings. Its chest is brown with buff bars, while the breast and flanks are white with brown spots. The flight feathers also exhibit brown bars. The owl measures approximately 17 cm in length and has a wingspan of about 40 cm.

Vocalizations

As you wander through the woods, you might hear single-pitched purring notes, which could be the call of the African barred owlet.

Habitat

Native to Southern and Eastern Africa, this owl thrives in habitats rich in trees, such as gallery forests, woodlands, forest edges, and areas with secondary growth.

Behavior

The African barred owlet is partly diurnal, meaning it is active during the day, particularly at dawn and dusk. It preys on a variety of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. When not hunting, it roosts in tree cavities and uses its call to mark its territory. The breeding season typically spans from September to November, during which the owl usually lays 2-3 eggs in a tree cavity. The young become independent after 7-12 months.

Taxonomy

Currently, three subspecies of the African barred owlet are recognized. However, some experts argue that these subspecies should be classified as separate species. These subspecies are distributed across different parts of Africa, from Mozambique to Angola, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Kenya.