After they have left the nest, the chicks remain in the vicinity of the nest site and their parents continue to feed them until they can fend for themselves. Chicks are killed by domestic dogs and cats, and owls are killed or hurt by people that fear them or use their body parts in traditional medicine. Spread the word to those who have a fear of owls that they are harmless and useful friends to mankind, as they can help keep the rat and insect populations in check. Struik. While roosting they make themselves as inconspicuous as possible, drawing their feathers tightly to their body and closing their eyes to hide any telltale glint and sitting dead still. It is a nocturnal owl which feeds on small mammals and birds. They could also mimic the facial patterns of potential predators, such as caracal, causing the ‘look-a-like’ predator to withdraw in the event of a face-to-face encounter. Uiltjie (diminutive for owl in Afrikaans and pronounced as "Ale+Key = Alekey"), an African Spotted Eagle Owl, showed up on our farm on a mild Autumn evening in April 2007. The Kirstenbosch breeding pair has become very accustomed to people and allow them to get very close to the nest and to the chicks. It has a 100 to 140 centimetres (39 to 55 in) wingspan. Owls and Farmers. Report complaints on environmental and/or social harms and gender discrimination arising from SANBI’s activities. They are most vocal in the months leading up to the breeding season, May to August. 2. Scientists use the pellets to identify the prey the owls are catching. That of the Spotted Eagle-Owl has fine barring, while the Cape Eagle-Owl has black and chestnut blotching. Wiktionary, http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bubo. Spotted Eagle-Owls have acute hearing, enabling them to pinpoint the tiniest of sounds. The eggs are rounded and white. These birds live in various habitats including dry forests, woodlands, savannahs and grasslands, shrublands, semi-deserts and rocky hills. Nests can be between 12 and 60 metres (39 and 197 ft) high and usually contain two eggs (though some contain as many as four). The owl itself seems anything but fierce: it has a gentle look, and it preys mostly on small mammals inside the forest. Eggs are laid in late winter to spring in southern Africa (August to October). They often hunt near roads where they are often struck by vehicles, but the most important cause of death is the wide use of pesticides in agriculture, for population control of rodents and insects. An adult pair is typically very aggressive in defense of its hunting territory. Spotted eagle-owls are the most common species of owl found in Southern Africa. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable. There are 2–4 eggs in one clutch, laid at intervals of 2–3 days. They might present such behavior either as a challenge to rival owls or when defending a nest or young against enemies. The beak is short and hooked with sharp edges, and is designed for gripping and tearing its prey. They roost in trees, among rocks, in rock crevices, on sheltered cliff ledges, under bushes or in high grass, in the abandoned burrows of other animals. I know he actually deserves a more exotic name, but that s what I called him and that s what he answers to, so I m afraid we re stuck with it. Frogs, lizards and snakes, and carrion are also eaten. It is also interesting to note that owls’ eyes don’t reflect in torch light. Spotted eagle-owls have a carnivorous diet and feed on small mammals, birds, insects, frogs, and reptiles. when people come too close to the nest. Its range extends across sub-Equatorial Africa to southern Arabia. Tarboton, W. & Erasmus, R. 1998. They can swivel their heads to look behind them without moving their body. When the female cannot leave the nest the male will hunt and bring her food. Owls are very recognisable and have many stories, myths and beliefs around them. Sinclair, I., Hockey, P. & Tarboton, W. 2002. Read More: Ultimate Guide to the Owl Diet and Eating Habits Facts about Spotted Owl Migration Generally, these owls are not believed to be the migratory birds even though some of the species (Mexican Spotted Owls) do migrate while covering a distance of 50 km. Ginn, P.S., McIlleron, W.G. Their pupils act independently of each other, which allow them to see something that is in bright light and in shadow at the same time. 2006. http://www.ewt.org.za/eBooks/booklets/Owl%20booklet.pdf. In comparison, humans have only 7. They have not ever, to the author’s knowledge, scratched a visitor, although there have been reports that the male has flown at people who get too close to the nesting female. 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