What Owl
In Clarens and its surroundings, there are five different owl species with the Spotted Eagle-Owl being the most common.
The other species are:
Western Barn Owl
African Grass-Owl
Marsh Owl
Cape Eagle-Owl
Spotted Eagle Owl
Height: Male 43cm, Female 47cm Weight: Male 540g, Female 995g
Identification: A large owl with conspicuous “ear” tufts. Primarily grey and spotted white above, finely barred below and their eyes are yellow.
Voice: Deep two-part hoot, pairs often calling in duet, some bill clacking and hissing when threatened.
Distribution: Throughout South Africa, central Africa, southern Kenya and DRC.
Status: Resident. It is the most common large “eared” owl in the region.
Habitat: Rocky areas, woodland, forest edge, towns/cities and semi-desert.
Habits: Solitary or in pairs. Nocturnal, by day will roost in a tree or on a rocky ledge. It hunts from a perch anddrops onto the prey. Also commonly perches on fence posts, telephone poles and often hunts insects infloodlights.
Food: Eats mostly rodents in urban areas, also invertebrates, birds, reptiles, bats, snails, crabs, millipedes and snakes.
Breeding: Mainly August to October. Clutch: 2-3 eggs.
Incubation: 30-32 days by female only.
Nestling: 40 days. The chicks usually spend 10 days on the ground before fledging. Post-nestling dependence is 5 weeks after which they will gradually disperse.
