African barred owlet
| African barred owlet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Kruger National Park, South Africa | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Glaucidium |
| Species: | G. capense |
| Binomial name | |
| Glaucidium capense (Smith, 1834) | |
The African barred owlet (Glaucidium capense) is a species of small owl in the family Strigidae found in much of southern, central and eastern Africa. The taxon may be four species rather than single species.
Description
A small owlet which shows some geographic variation (see Taxonomy). The nominate subspecies is greyish brown above with fine buff bars and a narrow white eyebrow, The scapulars and greater wing coverts have white outer webs with dark brown tips and form a white stripe across the shoulder and the folded wing. The brown chest is finely barred with buff and the breast and flanks are white with brown spots. Underwing coverts, legs and vent are white while the flight feathers and tail are brown barred with rufous. Bill and cere are dull greenish yellow and the eyes, legs and feet are yellow. Length is about 17 cm (6.7 in) and wingspan is 40 cm (16 in).[2]
Voice
The call of the African barred owlet is a series of single pitched purring notes.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Southern and eastern Africa from Kenya south to the Eastern Cape to western Angola.[3]
The African barred owl occurs in open habitats with trees such as gallery forest, woodland, forest edge and secondary growth.[3]
Habits
The African barred owl is partly diurnal. Calling occurs mainly at dusk and dawn but also through the night on calm and clear nights. Frequently observed on open perches scanning for prey, even during the day. Roosts within cover, often in a natural cavity in a tree. If they are detected by other birds during the day they will often be subjected to mobbing. Feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, scorpions and caterpillars which are normally caught following a short flight from a perch.[3]
Both sexes sing to proclaim their territory, most frequently before breeding. The nest site is usually a tree cavity 3–6 m (9.8–19.7 ft) from the ground. 2-3 eggs are laid in September to November. The young are fed by both parents but only in the dark, fledgling after 30–33 days and becoming independent after 7–12 months.[3]
Taxonomy
There are currently three subspecies recognised but many authorities recognise each of these as a separate species.[3] The subspecies are:[4]
- Glaudicium capense capense: southern Mozambique to Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
- Glaudicium capense ngamiense: eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to central Tanzania (including Mafia Island), south to Angola, northern Namibia, northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
- Glaudicium capense scheffleri: Extreme southern coastal Somalia, eastern Kenya and nnorth eastern Tanzania.
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Glaucidium capense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- 1 2 Kemp, Alan; Kemp, Meg (1998). SASOL Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands. New Holland. pp. 296–297. ISBN 1 85974 100 2.
- 1 2 3 4 5 König, Claus; Weick, Friedhelm; Becking, Jan-Hendrick (1999). Owls A Guide to the Owls of the World. Pica Press. pp. 379–380. ISBN 1-873403-74-7.
- ↑ "African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense (Smith, A, 1834)". Avibase. Denis Lepage. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Glaucidium capense. |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Glaucidium capense |
- African barred owlet (formerly called barred owl in southern Africa) - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds