Pearl Spotted Owl
Appearance
Pearl spotted owls are one of Southern Africa's smallest owls. They are 'earless' owls. They have cinnamon brown heads with off-white facial disks. Their upper-parts are brown with numerous dusky rimmed white spots. Their under-parts are white streaked with brown, and their eyes are yellow.
Diet
They feed on a variety of prey on arthropods, insects, bats and small rodents. They have been recorded to take laughing dove, weighing 200g, an achievement considering the owl only weighs around 85g. But they mainly feed on invertebrates, but powerful talons allow it to catch birds up to the size of large weavers, small mammals and reptiles.
Breeding
They will breed from August to November and possibly both parents incubate the eggs for upto 31 days. The female lays 2-4 eggs in tree cavity, often made by woodpeckers or barbets. Incubation lasts 29 days, and the young fledge at 31 days and become independent a few weeks later.
Behaviour
Like many members of this genus, this species is often active by daylight. It's unique whistled call is often heard in thorn scrub forest where the species can be quite common. They move about alone or in pairs. The Pearl-spotted Owl has mock eyes at the back of their heads. This will confuse the predator as to which way the owl is facing.
Habitat
They are found in open savannah and semi open woodlands, they tend to avoid areas with long grass, deserts and heavy forest.
Where Pearl Spotted Owl Are Found
They are widely spread in Southern Africa, found in mainly bushveld and woodland areas, where they are commonly seen all year round. They are probably the most diurnal of the Southern African owls, moving about alone or in pairs.
Latin name
Glaucidium perlatum.
