Updated May 31, 2023
Quick ID: Southern White-faced Owl
| Length | 20 - 24 mm |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 191 - 206 cm |
| Weight | 185 - 275 g |
| Field mark | whitish facial disk with black outline and orange bright eyes |
| Habitat | Savanna, woodlands, river forests |
| Diet | Big insects mainly, but also small mammals, reptiles and even other species of birds |
The Southern white-faced owl is a “miniature owl” of the African savannah. This little owl has nocturnal habits and is not a great flyer, but prefers to jump on the ground in search of small prey. If disturbed, it swells the plumage and spreads its wings, so that it appears larger; but if the predator is of such size as to frighten it of being preyed upon, on the other hand, it shrinks to the point of looking like an undernourished and sick animal and therefore not very palatable.
Everything You Need To Know About The Southern White-Faced Owl:
The southern white-faced owl is undoubtedly a bird of enchanting beauty, but it’s unfortunately rather unknown by the public, that’s why, even if it’s such a fascinating bird, it’s often not appreciated.
It’s worth spending some words on this bird’s order, the Stringiformes before getting into the description of the characteristics of this species. In this order we find a type of bird that has predominantly nocturnal habits, they’re predators characterized by a rather round and mobile head, the eyes are generally big and frontal, with heart-shaped facial disks, a short but strong beak a soft plumage that acts as natural flight silencer, which is essential when it comes to surprise preys in the middle of a silent night.
They usually nest in tree holes and rocky areas, and possess outstanding hearing and sight. Stringiformes are carnivores and eat anything from rats to small birds and amphibious, often times the preys are swallowed whole, and whatever it’s not digestible is later regurgitated. These birds are present in almost every area of the planet, except where is too cold (Antartide) or too dry.
One of the characteristic of the southern white-faced owl that unites it to other birds of the Stringiformes order is its self-defence techniques. When it’s disturbed or feels threatened the southern-white faced owl spreads its wing and “inflates” its feather in order to look bigger and scare the enemy away. On the other hand, in case the threat is coming from a larger predator, this bird is able to reduce its size almost to the point that it starts to look like a sick and dying bird, turning, therefore, off the predator.
It can be raised in captivity without too many difficulties, but an experienced breeder will need to pay attention to its specific needs. It’s important to provide a balanced and varied diet, aiming to fulfil the energetic needs of this birds. These can be very docile and grow attached to their owner as they really love to receive plenty of attentions and are not afraid at all of men. As they’re quite small they don’t really need huge cages or spaces, provided that they have enough space to move freely and branches and tree stomps to sit and rest.
This species is particularly appreciated as it preys on animals that are harmful to humans, such as scorpions and mice. They have even dedicated a commemorative stamp to her in several countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.
Quick Facts:
- Scientific name – Ptilopsis granti
- Weight – 185 – 275 g
- Length – 20 – 24 mm
- Wingspan – 191 – 206 cm
- Age – Up to 30 years in captivity.
- Diet – Big insects mainly, but also small mammals, reptiles and even other species of birds.
- Habitat – Savanna, woodlands, river forests.
- Threats – Bigger owls, pesticide.
1. Aspect
Like all the birds belonging to this order this species as well is very elegant. The head of the southern white-faced owl has an unmistakable livery. Its feather is almost completely in grey tones, except the facial disk which is whitish with a black outline, with orange bright eyes. From the upper part of the yellow beak some longer feathers are dangling down, looking almost like white moustaches.
The beak is almost entirely concealed as the feathers that are on top of it are coming down covering it. The legs are grey in color, and are very robust with clearly visible claws. The whole body features black stripes that allows it to hide even better in the natural environment. The head has two characteristics tufts, that immediately recall the image of a pair of semi-erected hears.
2. Distribution
The southern-white faced owls is only present in the southernmost part of the African continent and can be observed in Uganda, Kenya, Congo and South Africa. But also Gabon, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In Kenya it has been spotted as high as 1700 m above sea level.
3. Diet
Southern white-faced owl mainly prey on rats, birds, scorpions and spider and many other small insects and reptiles, but they’re also been observed eating preys as large as doves and squirrels. Their talon are extremely strong and are used to capture bigger prey and hold their catch on while they tear it to pieces with their bill. They hunt jumping from branch to branch, scanning the ground and vegetation for prey to attack and take away with them.
4. Breeding
To nest it often uses tree holes, even the ones previously used by other animals. Here the female lays between 2 and 4 eggs that she will then hatch for about a month. The chicks are usually born in the period that goes from January, all the way until May. The fertile age is reached after about 1 year.
Southern white-faced owl spend an enormous amount of energy and time to raise their chicks, and both partner play their role, while the female takes care of the incubation the male can be observed hunting to bring food back to the nest, and sometimes even incubating the eggs while the female takes a short break from it. For the first couple of weeks after hatching the male is still the one in charge of providing the food, tasks that will be done by both partners after that time.
5. Conservation
Southern white-faced owl have in general very little contact with humans and are not common in area with a dense human population. In the IUCN’s Red List of the endangered species they’re classified as Least Concern (LC).
Federico Fiorillo is an Italian nature guide and content writer based in the magnificent Val de Bagnes, Switzerland. He’s an avid hiker and snowboarder and he travels to the great wilderness areas of the world to see the wildlife and birds he’s passionate about.
In 2008 and 2011 he joined two Brazilian wildlife field trips in Bahia and decided that observing birds in their habitat was going to be one of his driving passions. He completed a birdwatching course with EBN Italia in 2013, and then in 2014 and 2015 he travelled to South East Asia, Australia and the United States where he joined a photographic workshop at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah.
From 2016 to 2018 he lives in New Zealand, where he collaborates in environmental projects at the Otorohanga Kiwi House, which since 1971 protects kiwi and other New Zealand native birds, among the projects he worked hands on the most rewarding was the one aiming to release Brown Kiwis into the wild.
In 2017, he completes a backcountry survival course obtaining the skillsets needed to thrive in-stead of just survive in the face of adversity in the wilderness. In 2017 he also joins a NZ Bird Photography Tour in Ulva Island and at the Royal Albatross Center of the Otago Peninsula, home to the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross breeding colony.
After his travels across the South Pacific, following his experiences in 2018 he moves in the Swiss Alps where he’s now a nature guide leading tours in the alpine region between Switzerland, Italy and France. Leading nature walks and overnight hiking trips, teaching tourists and locals the secrets of the plants and animals living in this alpine region.
Inspired by an alternative lifestyle he believes in the importance of being in connection with the natural environment and feels the responsibility of interpreting the natural wealth of a site, educating and informing other of the different aspects of that particular area.