Southern White-faced Owl

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Saturday May 10th, 2008

Southern White-faced Owl
Ptilopsis granti

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As of February 2005.
Description	Medium sized owl with prominent ear tufts and characteristic white face, edged with black. Upper-parts silvery-grey (silvery-gray), marked with black, underneath paler with black streaks and fine vermiculations. Orange eyes.
Size	22-24cm, 185-220g
Range	Africa south of the equator.
Habitat	Savannah, open woodland, riverine woodland.
Food	Large insects and arachnids, also mammals and birds.
Breeding	Nests from May to November, in tree hole or old stick nests of other birds. 2-3 eggs, incubated for 30 days. Young leave nest by 1 month and are independent by 6 weeks.
Call	Bubbling series of “po’s”, the first part rather stuttered then more fluting.
Status	Until recently classed as Otus, but recent DNA evidence suggests the genus is very different. In the U.K., the breeding program for this species (which includes the World Owl Trust) is managed by a stud book.
Comments	Monotypic, was included with P.leucotis, but vocalisations and DNA are significantly different.
Races	No additional races.

Registered Charity Number: 1055489
Limited Company Number: 5296745

The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.

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