African wood-owl (Strix woodfordii)

African wood-owl, side view
African wood-owl, side view

African wood-owl fact file

African wood-owl description

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderStrigiformes
FamilyStrigidae
GenusStrix (1)

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).

French
Hulotte africaine.
Size
Male weight: 242 - 269 g (2)
Female weight: 285 - 350 g (2)
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African wood-owl biology

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).

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African wood-owl range

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).

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African wood-owl habitat

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).

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African wood-owl status

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).

IUCN Red List species status – Least Concern

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African wood-owl threats

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).

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African wood-owl conservation

There are no known conservation measures currently in place for the African wood-owl.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

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Find out more

To find out more about the conservation of owls see:

For more information on this and other bird species please see:

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Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.ukTop

Glossary

Arthropods
A very diverse phylum (a major grouping of animals) that includes crustaceans, insects and arachnids. All arthropods have paired jointed limbs and a hard external skeleton (exoskeleton).
Branching
A stage that occurs before young owls can fly, or are ready to leave parental care, when they leave the nest and climb around the branches.
Incubated
The act of keeping eggs warm so that development is possible.
Nocturnal
Active at night.
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References

  1. IUCN Red List (September, 2008)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org/
  2. Kemp, A. and Kemp, M. (2006) Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
  3. CITES (September, 2008)
    http://www.cites.org
  4. Sinclair, I. (1994) Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
  5. The Hawk Conservancy Trust (December, 2008)
    http://www.hawk-conservancy.org/priors/africanwoodowl.shtml
  6. World Owl Trust (December, 2008)
    http://www.owls.org/Species/strix/african_wood_owl.htm
  7. BirdLife International (December, 2008)
    http://www.birdlife.org

More »Related species

Tawny owl (Strix aluco)Spotted owl (Strix occidentalis)Great grey owl (Strix nebulosa)Barred owl (Strix varia)Usambara eagle-owl (Bubo vosseleri)Brown fish-owl (Ketupa zeylonensis)Christmas hawk-owl (Ninox natalis)Southern white-faced owl (Ptilopsis granti)

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African wood-owl, side view  
African wood-owl, side view

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