Maned owl

The Maned Owl: An Elusive Rainforest Dweller

The maned owl, scientifically known as Jubula lettii and sometimes called the Akun scops owl, is a species of owl found exclusively in the lowland tropical rainforests of West Africa. It is the sole member of the genus Jubula, highlighting its unique evolutionary position. This medium-sized owl is most recognizable by the distinctive mane-like crest of long, white-tipped feathers adorning its crown and ear tufts, which stand out against its predominantly rufous plumage.

Description and Habitat

Characterized by a deep chestnut upper body marked with narrow, wavy dark bars, the maned owl features a contrasting white forehead and the aforementioned white-tipped ear tufts. Its facial disk is rufous, bordered by a broad blackish rim, and it possesses a white throat. The underparts transition from rufous with white bars on the upper breast to buff with dark streaks on the lower breast and belly, with pale buff vent and legs. The flight feathers and tail are adorned with broad dark bars on a rufous base. The bill is yellow, the cere greenish-yellow, and its eyes, legs, and feet are also yellow. The body length typically measures around 25 cm.

The maned owl's habitat is confined to closed-canopy evergreen rainforests, particularly favoring areas rich in dense creepers. Its distribution across West Africa, from Liberia to the Democratic Republic of Congo, is notably patchy. It avoids semi-evergreen open-canopy forests and is not found far from dense forest environments.

Behavior and Diet

Information regarding the maned owl's behavior is limited, but it is known to be a nocturnal species. During daylight hours, it roosts in dense creepers, often as low as 2 meters from the ground, emerging to an open perch at dusk. Its diet remains somewhat mysterious, though its small and weak feet and claws suggest that insects, such as grasshoppers and beetles, constitute the majority of its food intake. Intriguingly, green plant material has been discovered in the stomach contents of a young owl, hinting at a potentially varied diet in its early stages.

Breeding and Reproduction

Details about the maned owl's breeding behavior are scarce. However, observations in the Democratic Republic of Congo suggest that the species lays three or four eggs, with the nesting period occurring between March and May. Nests are typically situated within tree cavities or in the reused stick nests of other animals. Evidence of juveniles has been recorded in late December and January in Cameroon and Gabon, and the presence of adult pairs with fully grown young has been noted in Liberia in late February, providing glimpses into its reproductive cycle.