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.
分类信息
- 学名
- Bubo africanus
- 命名信息
- (Temminck, 1821)
- 目
- Strigiformes
- 科
- Strigidae
- 属
- Bubo
分布与栖息地
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.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
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.
保护状况
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.
- 种群趋势
- stable
照片
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
American Barn Owl
Tyto furcata
Medium-sized owl with a heart-shaped facial disc and deep dark eyes; the only Tyto owl present across most of its range; on Hispaniola compare to Ashy-faced Owl. Varies across a wide range, but always note white-and-black speckling on the upperparts, beautiful gray-and-tawny wings, and large round head. Color of the facial disc and underparts varies from pure white to rusty orange. Hunts in open areas by night, foraging with a slow and buoyant flight. Roosts in old buildings, tree hollows, caves, and nest boxes by day. Gives a bone-chilling, rising shriek, as well as shorter rasping calls and insect-like clicks.
Philippine Swamphen
Porphyrio pulverulentus
A large, colorful waterbird of wetlands with a purplish-blue body and front of the wings, a dark brown back and back of the wings, white under the base of the tail, and bright red legs, bill, and forehead shield. Somewhat similar to Eurasian Moorhen but larger, blue rather than gray, without the yellow-tipped bill. Juvenile also resembles Plain Bush-hen, but with a larger and thicker bill. Voice includes a harsh croaking “kraak!”
Diabolical Nightjar
Eurostopodus diabolicus
A dark, cryptically patterned nightjar with a bold buff collar, and prominent pale gray patches on the upperparts. In flight, note the small white mark on the outer wing. Inhabits forest and edges in the foothills and mountains. Pairs often roost on the ground. Restricted to Sulawesi. Never shows white in the tail, unlike Sulawesi and Savanna Nightjars. Smaller than Great Eared-Nightjar, and never hawks above the canopy. Song is a rapid series, “ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke.” Also gives soft “whip” calls.
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