African spotted eagle owl
One of three African spotted eagle owls named Billy, Saw and Dopey who arrived at Fritton Owl Sanctuary along with four barn owls from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire on 21st. January 2021 after their owner, who kept them as pets, became too ill to look after them.
African spotted eagle owls are one of the smallest eagle owls averaging 18 in. (45 cm) in length, with a wingspan of 39 to 55 in. (100 to 140 cm). They weigh 16 to 24 oz. (480 to 850 gms). In the wild their lifespan is 10 years but in captivity it can be up to 20 years.
They originate from south of the equator in Africa. They like open woodland with shrubs and bushes or savannah with thorny shrubs and scattered trees. They have been known to breed in large town gardens but they avoid dense rainforest.
The owl is mostly nocturnal but can sometimes be active just before sunset. During the day they like to roost in high trees, on rocks, in cave entrances and sheltered sites on cliff ledges.
They eat small mammals, birds, insects, frogs and reptiles. They have been known to feed on carrion which they hunt from a perch, gliding down onto their prey or by dashing into roosting birds. They will also catch some insects and bats whilst in flight. They will drink water regularly if it is available.
The owls mate for life. Males claim their territory by singing. The nest is scrapes in the ground or between rocks but sometimes they use holes in the walls of buildings. They have been known to use the same nest site for several years.
The osprey is one of the owls natural predators. Because spotted eagle owls do not avoid populated areas nest predation by large carnivores results in many of their deaths. The owl tends to hunt along the side of roads and many are killed by collisions with vehicles. Another cause of injury of death is flying into or becoming trapped by overhead cables of fences. The largest cause of death by far is the use of pesticides, banned in Europe and America, but still used in Africa.
The conservation status of the African spotted eagle owl is Least Concern.
African spotted eagle owl
One of three African spotted eagle owls named Billy, Saw and Dopey who arrived at Fritton Owl Sanctuary along with four barn owls from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire on 21st. January 2021 after their owner, who kept them as pets, became too ill to look after them.
African spotted eagle owls are one of the smallest eagle owls averaging 18 in. (45 cm) in length, with a wingspan of 39 to 55 in. (100 to 140 cm). They weigh 16 to 24 oz. (480 to 850 gms). In the wild their lifespan is 10 years but in captivity it can be up to 20 years.
They originate from south of the equator in Africa. They like open woodland with shrubs and bushes or savannah with thorny shrubs and scattered trees. They have been known to breed in large town gardens but they avoid dense rainforest.
The owl is mostly nocturnal but can sometimes be active just before sunset. During the day they like to roost in high trees, on rocks, in cave entrances and sheltered sites on cliff ledges.
They eat small mammals, birds, insects, frogs and reptiles. They have been known to feed on carrion which they hunt from a perch, gliding down onto their prey or by dashing into roosting birds. They will also catch some insects and bats whilst in flight. They will drink water regularly if it is available.
The owls mate for life. Males claim their territory by singing. The nest is scrapes in the ground or between rocks but sometimes they use holes in the walls of buildings. They have been known to use the same nest site for several years.
The osprey is one of the owls natural predators. Because spotted eagle owls do not avoid populated areas nest predation by large carnivores results in many of their deaths. The owl tends to hunt along the side of roads and many are killed by collisions with vehicles. Another cause of injury of death is flying into or becoming trapped by overhead cables of fences. The largest cause of death by far is the use of pesticides, banned in Europe and America, but still used in Africa.
The conservation status of the African spotted eagle owl is Least Concern.