Biology
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This strictly nocturnal species roosts during the day in dense vegetation, 1 to 30 metres off the ground, either alone or in pairs (2). At night, it emerges to hunt for arthropods, reptiles, small mammals and birds, which are caught on the wing, off the ground or in trees and shrubs (2) (6).
The nests are generally made in tree holes, without additional lining material. Between one and three eggs are laid, at two to four day intervals, and incubated by the female for around 31 days. During this time, the male does all the hunting and feeds the female at the nest. The hatchlings open their eyes after about ten days and start branching after 23 to 37 days. By around 45 days after hatching, the young will be competent fliers but remain with the parents until roughly four months old (5).
Conservation
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There are no known conservation measures currently in place for the African wood-owl.
Description
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The African wood-owl is a medium sized owl distinguished by the notable lack of ear tufts on its rounded head, large dark eyes outlined by white eyebrows, and brown and white barred belly (2) (4). Overall, it has rich brown plumage with paler underparts, but there is considerable variation in shade and patterning across its range (2). Four subspecies that differ slightly in appearance and size are sometimes recognised: Strix woodfordii woodfordii, S.w.umbrina, S.w.nigricantior, S.w.nuchalis (2) (5) (6). The male call is a rapid series of clear hoots, which the female typically answers in a higher pitched, but more leisurely tone (5).
Habitat
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The African wood-owl is the commonest owl in woodland and forests throughout Africa. It occurs in deep woodland, forests edges, riverine and coastal forests, and plantations (2) (4) (5).
Range
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The African wood-owl occurs from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, and the south and east coast of South Africa (5) (6).
Status
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Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
Threats
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As the African wood-owl is completely dependent on forest and woodland habitat, it is very susceptible to deforestation. Nonetheless, it is still described as common and its population is thought to be stable. Consequently it is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (1) (7).
African wood owl
provided by wikipedia EN
The African wood owl (Strix woodfordii) or Woodford's owl, is a typical owl from the genus Strix in the family Strigidae which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.
Description
The African wood owl is a medium-sized owl which has the typical rounded head of the genus Strix similar to the Palearctic tawny owl or Holarctic great grey owl, with large dark eyes outlined by white eyebrows, and a white belly barred with brown. Overall, it has rich brown plumage with paler underparts, but it varies considerably across its range.[3] It is 30.5 to 35 cm (12.0 to 13.8 in) long and weighs from 240 to 350 grams (8.5 to 12.3 oz).[4]
Voice
The typical song, like that of the tawny owl is a duet between the male and the female, the male makes a series of rapid, clear hoots, and the female answers with higher pitched, more leisurely hoots.[3]
Distribution and subspecies
There are currently four recognised subspecies and they are named and distributed as follows:[5]
Habits and ecology
It lives mainly in forest and woodland though it sometimes inhabits plantations. It is strictly nocturnal and eats mostly insects but will also eat reptiles, small mammals, and other birds which are mostly caught by swooping from a perch. It breeds from July to October and lays 1 to 3 eggs in a tree hollow, incubation starts with the first egg so that the young hatch asynchronously and if food is short then siblicide occurs. The eggs are incubated for about 31 days. Five weeks after the eggs hatch, the young will leave the nest and can fly two weeks later. The young will remain with the parents for about four months and will sometimes stay until the next breeding season. Its call is a loud series of fast hoots. During the day it roosts singly or in pairs in dense cover, high in trees, calling begins after dusk.[4]
Taxonomy and naming
This owl and a number of Neotropical owls were placed in the genus Ciccaba but as they are doubtless closely related to Strix they are now treated as such.[4] This owl is named after the British soldier of the Napoleonic Wars and naturalist Colonel E.J.A. Woodford.[6]
References
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African wood owl: Brief Summary
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The African wood owl (Strix woodfordii) or Woodford's owl, is a typical owl from the genus Strix in the family Strigidae which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.
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- cc-by-sa-3.0
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
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