Greyish eagle-owl
The greyish eagle-owl, also known as the vermiculated eagle-owl, is a large owl native to northern sub-Saharan Africa. Previously considered a subspecies of the spotted eagle-owl, it is distinguished by its dark brown eyes, brownish facial disk with prominent eye circles, and finely barred underparts. It inhabits dry rocky deserts, open savannah, and lowland forests.
Key Facts
- ›Found in northern sub-Saharan Africa, from Mauritania and Liberia east to Sudan and Somalia.
- ›Distinguished by dark brown eyes and a brownish facial disk with heavy brown eye circles.
- ›Inhabits dry rocky deserts, open savannah, and lowland forests.
- ›Feeds on larger insects, arthropods, and vertebrates, often hunting from a perch.
- ›Lays 2 or 3 eggs in ground scrapes, among rocks, or in sheltered cliff sites.
- ›Its call is a two-syllable 'koo-whoo', with the 'koo' being explosive and the 'whoo' downward inflected.
Vermiculated Eagle-Owl
Dry Rocky Deserts, Open Savannah, Lowland Forests
Sub-Saharan Africa
Larger Insects, Large Arthropods, Vertebrates, Bats
About Greyish eagle-owl
The greyish eagle-owl, scientifically known as Bubo cinerascens and sometimes referred to as the vermiculated eagle-owl, is a substantial owl species found in the northern reaches of sub-Saharan Africa. Historically, it was considered a northern subspecies of the spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus), but it is now recognized as a distinct species.
Description and Appearance
This owl measures approximately 43 cm (17 inches) in length and weighs around 500 g (18 oz). Its upperparts are characterized by mottling in dark brown, buff, and white. The underparts feature fine barring, imparting an overall greyish-brown hue. A key differentiator from the spotted eagle-owl is its dark brown eyes, in contrast to the yellow eyes of its relative. It also possesses a brownish facial disk marked by a prominent brown circle around each eye. Morphologically, it is noted for being lighter in weight while maintaining a similar length, and it has shorter tarsi.
Distribution and Habitat
The greyish eagle-owl's range extends across the northern part of sub-Saharan Africa, encompassing areas from Mauritania and Liberia in the west to Sudan and Somalia in the east. Its preferred habitats are diverse, including dry, rocky desert environments and open savannah landscapes. In Somalia, it has also been observed in lowland forests.
Biology and Behavior
During daylight hours, the greyish eagle-owl typically roosts in hidden locations. These roosting sites can be natural formations such as cliff crevices and boulders, or they can be found in bushes, trees, and even man-made structures. Its diet primarily consists of larger insects and other sizable arthropods, along with vertebrates. The owl usually hunts by perching and employing a sit-and-wait strategy, though it is also capable of hawking insects and sometimes bats in mid-air.
Vocalization
Due to its recent separation from the spotted eagle-owl, the vocalizations of the greyish eagle-owl have not been extensively studied. However, the call of the male, as documented in West Africa, is described as a two-syllable utterance, rendered as "koo-whoo." The initial "koo" is somewhat explosive, followed by a "whoo" that is lower pitched, slightly downward inflected, and extended. This call is typically repeated every few seconds and is noted as being dissimilar to the vocalizations of the spotted eagle-owl.
Reproduction
The breeding biology of the greyish eagle-owl is presumed to be similar to that of the spotted eagle-owl. Females usually lay between two and three eggs. The nesting sites are often found in scrapes on the ground, among rocks, or within sheltered cliff areas. In some instances, they have been known to utilize the old, platform-like nests constructed by larger bird species in trees.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the greyish eagle-owl?
The greyish eagle-owl, or vermiculated eagle-owl, is a large owl species found in the northern part of sub-Saharan Africa. It was formerly classified as a northern subspecies of the spotted eagle-owl.
What are the distinct physical features of the greyish eagle-owl?
This owl has mottled dark brown, buff, and white upperparts, and finely barred underparts that give it a greyish-brown appearance. It is characterized by dark brown eyes, a brownish facial disk, and a heavy brown circle around each eye.
What is the geographic range of the greyish eagle-owl?
The greyish eagle-owl is found in the northern sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Mauritania and Liberia in the west to Sudan and Somalia in the east.
What kind of habitats does the greyish eagle-owl prefer?
Its preferred habitats include dry rocky deserts and open savannah landscapes. In Somalia, it can also be found in lowland forests.
What does the greyish eagle-owl eat?
The diet of the greyish eagle-owl consists of larger insects and other large arthropods, as well as vertebrates. It often hunts by perching and waiting, but will also catch insects and sometimes bats in flight.
How does the greyish eagle-owl reproduce?
The greyish eagle-owl typically lays 2 or 3 eggs. These are usually laid in a scrape on the ground, among rocks, or in a sheltered cliff site. They may also repurpose old nests of larger birds found in trees.
What does the greyish eagle-owl sound like?
The call of the male greyish eagle-owl, as recorded in West Africa, consists of two clear syllables, rendered as 'koo-whoo'. The 'koo' is described as explosive, while the 'whoo' is somewhat downward inflected, lower pitched, and extended. This call is repeated every few seconds.
Related Owl species
African grass owl
The African grass owl (Tyto capensis) is a medium-sized owl found in sub-Saharan Africa, known for its uniform sooty blackish-brown upperparts and heart-shaped facial disc. It primarily inhabits moist grasslands and savannas, where it hunts rodents and other small mammals at night.
African scops owl
The African scops owl (Otus senegalensis) is a small owl native to sub-Saharan Africa, characterized by its cryptic greyish-brown plumage and bright yellow eyes. It is a strictly nocturnal hunter, often overlooked during the day due to its remarkable camouflage. Its distinctive call is a monotonous "prrrp" sound.
African wood owl
The African wood owl (Strix woodfordii), also known as Woodford's owl, is a common forest owl species native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is distinguished by its rounded head, large dark eyes with white eyebrows, and a distinctive hooting call that can be heard over long distances. This owl is strictly nocturnal and primarily inhabits indigenous forests and woodlands.