[order] STRIGIFORMES | [family] Strigidae | [latin] Glaucidium perlatum | [authority] Vieillot, 1818 | [UK] Pearl-spotted Owlet | [FR] Chevechette perlee | [DE] Perlkauz | [ES] Mochuelo Perlado | [NL] Geparelde Dwerguil
Monotypic species
Genus
Members of the genus Glaucidium are very small and tiny owls. They have rounded heads without ear-tufts. Their eyes are yellow. In many species the talons are, in relation to their size, very powerful. The facial disc is not very distinct. Some species have a large dark patch with a pale border on each side of the nape of the neck, looking like false eyes. Many are partly diurnal and sing from exposed perches. These are mostly very tenacious in the hunt, and show little fear, even of approaching humans. Glaucidium is a worldwide genus, containing some 30 species. Most of the Asian species, and some of the African species show physical and behavioural differences that suggest they might be better placed in Athene, and DNA evidence suggests that there is only a distant relationship between the Old World Pygmy Owls and those of the New World.
The Pearl-spotted Owlet is small (19cm) and stocky, with a longish tail. The upperparts are rich brown, heavily spotted with white. The underparts are white, streaked with brown. The facial disc is white and the eyes are yellow. There are two eyespots on the nape.
Listen to the sound of Pearl-spotted Owlet
[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/STRIGIFORMES/Strigidae/sounds/Pearl-spotted Owlet.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: |
0 |
cm |
wingspan max.: |
0 |
cm |
| size min.: |
17 |
cm |
size max.: |
20 |
cm |
| incubation min.: |
28 |
days |
incubation max.: |
29 |
days |
| fledging min.: |
30 |
days |
fledging max.: |
31 |
days |
| broods: |
0 |
|
eggs min.: |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
eggs max.: |
4 |
|
Africa : widespread
Pearl-spotted Owlet is a common and easily seen bird in open woodland and savannah.
It nests in a hole in a tree, such as a disused barbet nest, laying 2-4 eggs.
Mainly invertebrates, but powerful talons allow it to catch birds up to the size of large weavers, small mammals and reptiles
Video Pearl-spotted Owlet
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdxbbpXHO7s
copyright: Josep del Hoyo
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Presumed resident
