[order] STRIGIFORMES | [family] Strigidae | [latin] Jubula lettii | [authority] Buttikofer, 1889 | [UK] Maned Owl | [FR] Petit duc a criniere | [DE] Mahneneule | [ES] Buho de Crin | [NL] Manenuil
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
There are among land birds a very few eases where the same or dosely related genera are found both in South America and Africa. One of these is the monotypic
owl genus Jubula of Africa, which, is hardly separable from the neotrpocial genus lophostrix. The only real diffence is the fact that the ear openings are smaller in Jubula than in Lophostrix.
Physical charateristics
This highly distinctive owl gets its name from the long, bushy ear-tufts that give it a maned look . These brown-and-white tufts merge with the prominent whitish ?eyebrows’ on the forehead, which contrast with the facial disc, characteristic of owls, that is reddish and edged in brown. The maned owl is a medium-sized owl, with chestnut-brown to rufous upperparts, patterned with variable marks and barring. The underparts are light rufous on the breast, fading to buff or whitish on the belly, with dusky brown streaks. The eyes of the maned owl are rich yellow, and the bill and legs are pale yellow. Male and female maned owls vary only slightly in appearance, with females generally being darker and more heavily patterned.
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 38 | cm | size max.: | 42 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 0 | days | incubation max.: | 0 | days |
| fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 0 | days |
| broods: | 0 | eggs min.: | 3 | ||
| eggs max.: | 4 |
Range
Africa : Central, West. Jubula lettii is known from 14 sites in Liberia (Nimba and Zwedru), Cote d’Ivoire (Tai), Ghana (old record only), Cameroon (Korup, Mt Rata and Rumpi Hills, Mt Cameroon and Mokoko-Onge), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon (Gamba, Lope and Ipassa), Republic of Congo (Dimonika and Lower Kouilou), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Okapi Faunal Reserve, Itombwe).
Habitat
It is thought to prefer tall closed-canopy rainforest, not semi-evergreen open-canopy forest2, and has never been recorded outside forest or forest clearings
Reproduction
Information regarding reproduction in the maned owl is poor. Observations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo suggest that it lays three or four eggs between March and May, in a tree cavity or an old stick nest. Fledglings have been seen in late December and January in Cameroon and Gabon, and a pair of maned owls with full-grown young were recorded in Liberia in the third week of February
Feeding habits
Strictly nocturnal hunter with weak talons. Probably not capable of taking vertebrates. Most likey insects like beetles and grasshopers. Presumed and very unusual to feed on green matter, which was found in stomach of specimen.
Conservation
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be rare in the west of its range and commoner in the east
It is very poorly known, and although it is reported as very scarce and rare in parts of its range, its call is unknown and this may be leading to under-recording of the species. Further research is needed to establish its true range, population size and habitat preferences
It is very poorly known, and although it is reported as very scarce and rare in parts of its range, its call is unknown and this may be leading to under-recording of the species. Further research is needed to establish its true range, population size and habitat preferences
Migration
Presumed resident
Distribution map
