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World Owl Trust - leading the World in Owl Conservation
Friday March 12th, 2010


Southern White-faced Owl
Ptilopsis granti
Click on small image to view larger one   Ptilopsis granti
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.

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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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