Desert Owl
Strix hadorami
A shy, medium-sized owl of desert canyons. Sandy-brown overall with pale underparts and yellow eyes. Face and underparts are lightly marked, while the wing feathers and tail are boldly barred. Breeds in crevices, caves, and cliffs in desert canyons. Male song is a soft hoot, "Hu! Hu-hu hu-hu."
Taxonomy
This species was known for over a century by the scientific name Strix butleri, but a 2015 study demonstrated that the holotype of S. butleri was not actually a member of this species, but was instead most likely an Omani owl (which had been described as a new species, S. omanensis, in 2013). Because the allocation of Strix butleri to the Omani owl left the more widespread species without a name, the authors of the study named it S. hadorami after Israeli ornithologist Hadoram Shirihai, and gave it the new common name desert tawny owl (which has been subsequently shortened to desert owl by some authors).
- Scientific name
- Strix hadorami
- Authority
- Kirwan, Schweizer & Copete, 2015
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Strix
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
African Pygmy-Goose
Nettapus auritus
Colorful miniature waterfowl that is smaller than most ducks. Both sexes have rufous underparts, a dark back, white on the face, and white on the wing in flight. Males have a green patch on the back of the head and a yellow bill; females have a black-and-white head and a dark bill. Found in freshwater wetlands with floating vegetation, especially water lilies. Shy and inconspicuous, as it generally avoids open water. Voice is a high-pitched squeaking. Small size and bold and colorful plumage separate it from other waterfowl.
Bronzy Jacamar
Galbula leucogastra
Small, active, and locally distributed. Key field mark is overall bronzy color, which is evident in good light but hard to see otherwise. Found in low-stature forest and scrub on sandy soils. Small groups spend much time perched on bare branches, sallying for flying insects and returning to perches to eat them. Confusion is possible with Green-tailed Jacamar, but Bronzy is smaller, shorter-tailed, and lacks obvious green in plumage. Vocalizations include a distinctive, stuttering, rising series of notes.
Green Avadavat
Amandava formosa
Very pretty small finch-like bird with red bill, red eyes, and distinctly barred flanks. Sexes are similar, but males have brighter greens and yellows than females. Juveniles are brown above, pale with some yellow below, but have the red bill. Very rare and local. Known to occur in flocks in dry areas with open woodland, scrub, and agriculture.
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