The African barred owlet is a species of small owl in the family Strigidae found in much of southern, central and eastern Africa. The taxon may be four species rather than a single species.

 

🦉 African Barred Owlet — Complete Details

Common Name: African barred owlet
Scientific Name: Glaucidium capense
Family: Strigidae (true owls)
Conservation Status: Least Concern (varies by region)

This species is a small, forest and woodland owl widely distributed across southern, central, and eastern Africa.

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🌍 Distribution & Habitat

Found in several African countries including:

• South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe

• Mozambique, Zambia, Angola

• Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo, Malawi

Preferred habitats:

• Woodland and savanna

• Riverine forests

• Thornveld

• Edges of cultivated areas and parks

They avoid deep, closed forests and extremely arid deserts.

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🪶 Physical Description

Feature	Description
Size	~19–21 cm long
Weight	~85–120 g
Plumage	Brown with fine white barring
Face	Lacks prominent facial disks found in many other owls
Eyes	Bright yellow
Wings & Tail	Barred patterning

They are often mistaken for owlets or small hawk-like birds because of their posture and flight.

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🔊 Vocalization

Their call is a repeated series of clear whistles—slow at first, then quickening:

“tu-tu-tu-tu-tutu-tutu”

Calls often heard at dawn and dusk.

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🦗 Diet & Behavior

• Carnivorous — eats insects, small mammals, birds, frogs, and reptiles

• Hunts from a perch, swooping down on prey

• Mostly diurnal or crepuscular — unlike many owls

• Territorial and may respond to whistles or recorded calls

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🐣 Breeding

Aspect	Details
Nesting	Tree cavities, abandoned barbet or woodpecker holes
Clutch Size	Usually 2–3 eggs
Incubation	~28 days
Parental Care	Mainly female incubates; male supplies food

Chicks remain dependent for several weeks after fledging.

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🧬 Taxonomy & Species Complex

The African barred owlet is considered a species complex. Based on vocal, genetic, and plumage differences, the single taxon may actually consist of up to four distinct species:

1️⃣ G. capense (Cape barred owlet — southern Africa)
2️⃣ G. radiatum (Central African barred owlet)
3️⃣ G. etchecopari (Etchecopar’s barred owlet — Angola)
4️⃣ G. ngamiense (East African barred owlet)

Some ornithologists already treat these as separate species.

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🌱 Ecological Role

• Controls insect and rodent populations

• Prey for larger raptors → part of healthy food webs

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⭐ Quick Summary Table

Feature	Summary
Status	Not threatened overall
Activity	Partly diurnal
Key Traits	Yellow eyes, barred plumage, small size
Special Note	Possibly multiple species under one name

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If you’d like, I can also provide:
📌 Range map
📌 Comparison with Pearl-spotted owlet
📌 Audio example of its call
📌 Behavioral adaptations for daylight hunting

Would you like to add any of those?

 

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