Spotted Eagle-Owl
Bubo africanus
A large, gray-brown owl with bright yellow eyes, erect ear-tufts, and finely-barred belly and lower breast. The default large owl throughout its range; occurrs in a broad range of lightly-wooded habitats, including suburbia. The typical call is a soft, booming “whooo-whooo” or “whoo-are-you?”. The similar Cape Eagle-Owl is larger, prefers cliffs and gullies, has a heavily-blotched upper breast, and has burnt-orange eyes. Grayish Eagle-Owl is more heavily barred and has dark-brown eyes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Bubo africanus
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1821)
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Bubo
Range and habitat
Spotted eagle-owls are the most common species of owl found in southern Africa. They have a healthy population in most parts of the region. They are often referred to as urban owls and will live in close proximity to human habitation. They occur throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian peninsula. They can also be found in thorn savanna and in suburban gardens, such as the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The calls are generally typical, musical eagle-owl hoots. Generally the male call with two hoots: "Hooo hooopoooo" and the female answers with three, with less stress on the middle note: "Hooo hoo hooo". The young do not hoot till effectively adult, but from a very young age they will hiss threateningly and snap their beaks castanet-like if alarmed. These sounds they make throughout life, generally in a threatening attitude with head down and wings spread sideways to present their upper surfaces forward, umbrella-like. They might present such behaviour either as a challenge to rival owls or when defending nest or young against enemies. The young at least have a whickering call of protest or annoyance when handled. In a comfortable social situation the youngsters have a soft croaking "kreeep" that they are prone to repeat at regular intervals of a few seconds. If they suspect that they have lost their company, the calls increase in frequency and they are likely to go hunting for their companions. Chicks and adults will snap bills, hiss and chitter to threaten or distract.<p>As with all owls this species, when detected, is subject to daylight harassment by local birds. In the Gauteng area its main and extremely loud tormentor is the grey loerie, respite only coming at dusk. Spotted eagle-owls are regular bathers and during summer thunderstorms may be seen on tree limbs or on the ground with spread wings.<p>They prefer rocky areas, favouring to roost in open areas such as on the ground, rocky outcrops and tree crowns.
Conservation
They are not globally threatened, and are often the most common owl species in their habitats.<p>It is illegal to capture or keep any indigenous owls in South Africa without the necessary rehabilitation permit issued by the Department of Nature Conservation. Specialized care is required in captivity consisting of a balanced diet with the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus and specific husbandry needs that should be met. If raised on the incorrect diet, owlets suffer malnutrition of various types, including metabolic bone disorder (MBD) which causes poor bone formation and could lead to their death. Specialized release methods are applied to integrate captive-raised owlets back into the wild.<p>Car collisions, electric wires, persecution, secondary poisoning and parasite infections such as Trichomonas gallinae are the major causes of mortality. Juveniles and newly fledged birds are particularly vulnerable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropus
Elegant wader with a long fine bill and long reddish legs (dark on breeding adults). Striking breeding plumage dark overall. Nonbreeding plumage is paler and grayer than smaller and chunkier Common Redshank. In flight often appears dark overall with narrow white oval up middle of back. Breeds in arctic bogs and swamps; migrants occur in varied wetland habitats. Usually seen as singles or small groups, though will sometimes congregate in large flocks, especially on wintering grounds. Feeds mainly by wading in fairly deep water, probing and picking with its bill, at times swimming.
Barred Wren-Warbler
Calamonastes fasciolatus
Long-tailed brownish warbler. In all plumages, shows heavy barring below, but this barring is obscured by a brown band across the breast of breeding males. Generally uncommon in arid, thorny savanna. Often raises its tail in wren-like fashion. Normal song is a vibrating, metallic note that is frequently repeated. Another vocalization is a repeated two-part “gid-yup.” Similar to Miombo Wren-Warbler, but has little overlap in range and separated by dusky underparts and darker eye.
Tepui Goldenthroat
Polytmus milleri
Medium-sized green hummingbird with a rounded, white-tipped tail and decurved black bill, found only in the tepui region of Venezuela and Guyana. Female is very similar to male but with some spotting on the green underparts. Common in dry to humid grassy areas with small trees or scrub, forest edges, gallery forest, and morichales. Mostly alone, feeding at flowers and often catching insects. Voice is a series of loud and high pitch “tsit” notes.
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