Pearl-spotted Owl

Afrikaans name: Witkoluil

Pearl-spotted Owl

Photo © Steven Herbert

Glaucidium perlatum

The Pearl-spotted Owl is a tiny little owl. It is less than 20 cm in length.

It is found in savanna and woodland habitats. It is often active during the day and its presence is often given away by other birds who mob it.

The Pearl-spotted Owl feeds on small items of prey including insects, mammals and birds.

These owls make their nest in a cavity in a tree and up to 4 eggs are laid.

The Pearl-spotted Owl has 'eyes' on the back of its head. There is a pair of dark marks which give the appearance of an extra set of eyes.

References and further reading

A Delight of Owls - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1984 - Page: 66

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 159

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 120

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 120

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 148

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 86

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 148

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 261

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 106

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 69

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 131

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 42

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 60

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 112

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 166

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 57

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 218

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 218

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 22

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 193

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 251

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 261

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 348

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 344

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 298

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 236

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 242

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 65

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 159

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 148

The Owls of Southern Africa - Author: Alan Kemp and Simon Calburn - Published: 1987 - Page: 92

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 116

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds