Maned Owl
Jubula lettii
Distinctive and unusual rainforest owl. Mostly rufous-brown, with long, shaggy ear tufts and plumes at the back of the head. The eyes vary from yellow to orange. The breast is rufous and the belly is buff with fine black streaks. Rare and local in the understory of lowland rainforest in thick areas, usually those with abundant lianas. The voice is unknown. Somewhat similar to some eagle-owls, but smaller and slimmer, with differently shaped drooping ear tufts.
Identification
The maned owl gets its name from the long, floppy, white-tipped feathers on its crown and ear tufts which seem to form a mane. Otherwise it is a medium-sized, large-headed, rufous owl. The upperparts are deep chestnut with narrow, wavy dark bars, which are darker on the lesser wing coverts and on the head, so that they contrast with the white forehead and tips to the ear-tufts. The facial disk is rufous with a broad blackish rim and a white throat. The upper breast is rufous with white bars, the lower breast and belly are buff with dark streaks while the vent and legs are pale buff. The flight feathers and the tail have broad dark bars on a rufous background. The bill is yellow, the cere greenish-yellow and the eyes, legs and feet are yellow. The body length is 25 cm (9.8 in).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Jubula lettii
- Authority
- (Büttikofer, 1889)
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Numididae
- Genus
- Jubula
Range and habitat
The maned owl is known only from the lowland, tropical rainforest of west Africa and has a patchy distribution from Liberia in the west through to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The patchiness of its distribution is shown by the countries it has been recorded in which are Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.<p>The maned owl seems to prefer closed canopy evergreen rainforest, especially areas with dense creepers, it is not found in semi-evergreen open-canopy forest, and there are no records away from dense forest or forest clearings.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The maned owl is not well known. It is nocturnal, roosting by day in dense creepers as close to the ground as 2 m (6.6 ft), emerging out onto an open perch at dusk. Their diet is not well understood, but small and weak feet and claws suggest that insects such as grasshoppers and beetles form the largest part of its diet. Green plant material has been found in the stomach contents of a young owl.<p>As with its diet little is known of its breeding behaviour and the call is unrecorded. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo a nest was observed and the results suggest that this species lays three or four eggs between March and May. The nest is in a tree cavity or an old stick nest of another animal is reused. Juveniles have been recorded in late December and January in Cameroon and Gabon, and a pair of adults with full-grown young were observed in Liberia in late February.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Urubamba Antpitta
Grallaria occabambae
Plump, mostly terrestrial bird with long legs and a short tail found at high elevations in the eastern Andes of southern Peru. Plumage is mostly chestnut brown but is slightly paler on the belly. Similar to Leymebamba Antpitta, but larger, longer legged, and lacks gray in the plumage. The white eyering helps to separate it from Ayacucho Antpitta. Voice is also very helpful for ID; depending on location, it gives either three quick whistles with a pause after the first, or just two whistles. Also sometimes sings a longer, decelerating series of around ten notes. Usually stays well-hidden on or near the forest floor. Formerly considered a subspecies of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.
Plumbeous Warbler
Setophaga plumbea
A striking small bird that frequents montane forests, but sometimes ventures into dry scrub and mangroves. This species is readily distinguished by its overall gray plumage (tinged green above and yellow below on immature birds) with boldly contrasting white eyebrows and wingbars. All potential confusion species are migrants from North America that have streaking above and/or below that Plumbeous Warbler lacks. Typically feeds in understory with tail often cocked upwards. Song consists of a dozen or so leisurely whistled sweet notes, the first three of which are at same pitch; at times only first three notes are given. Call is a dry rattle.
Taiwan Cupwing
Pnoepyga formosana
Minuscule endemic songbird. Short wings, very short tail, and rather long legs give it the appearance of a brown ping-pong ball set on tiny chopsticks. Dark brown above, black-and-white scaly pattern below. Constantly shakes its wings as if cold. Moves about on the ground and in low vegetation in montane forests, where very difficult to see. Song a loud, strident, high-pitched series of three whistled phrases, with a pause after the first.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.