Chirping with Kloof Conservancy

Kloof Conservancy
THERE are very few birds that are as loved as owls! They feature in many literary works and most children around the globe are brought up on a staple narrative of wise owl stories, thus ensuring their place in our collective memories. Considering their considerable fame, it may be easy to forget that they are highly tuned night-time killers. Maybe the secret attraction is in those big eyes!

In South Africa we are fortunate to have 12 owl species. They range from the tiny Pearl Spotted Owlet at just 19 grams to the imperious looking Verraux’s Eagle-Owl at just under 2kg in weight.

In this article we review the African Wood Owl, one of three owls that are reasonably common in our area. The other two are the Spotted Eagle Owl and the Barn Owl

Description
The African Wood Owl is classified as medium size with a weight of 290g and a height of approximately 33cm. Males and females are very similar and not easily distinguished. Although there is significant colour variation within their range, they generally have rich brown plumage with a pale and barred belly. The bills are yellow and a distinguishing feature from many other wise-looking owls is the absence of ear tuffs. They have pale, white/grey faces with large dark brown eyes that are surrounded by a lighter shadow.

Owls are more often heard than seen and their calls are unique and melodious. The call of the African Wood Owl is unmistakable and is a series of rhythmic hoots described as: “WHO-hoo, HOO-hoo-hoo, HOO-HOO ”

Distribution
They can be found in most of the high-rainfall, eastern part of South Africa from Cape Town through to the northern borders of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. They can also be found wherever there are good forests across most of sub-Saharan Africa

Habitat
The African Wood Owl is the most common owl in our area primarily because of the healthy riverine and scarp forest of the Upper Highway. They are also attracted to well-wooded gardens that are located in close proximity to indigenous forests. They are quite territorial and a pair will aggressively defend their patch.

As with all of owls, the African Wood Owl is nocturnal and roosts in the canopy of tall trees during the daytime. 

Feeding
Although it is a raptor, a large portion of its diet consists of insects and the rest is made up of small mammals, frogs, rodents, centipedes, small birds and the odd snake. Hunting is usually from a perched position on a branch and when they swoop their wings are silent adding to the element of surprise.

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Breeding
African Wood Owls are monogamous and nest in naturally formed holes in tree trunks or large branches. Egg laying is usually between July and October when they lay one or two eggs that take about 31 days to hatch. Most of the incubation and feeding of the chicks is done by the female

Predators
While most owls, including the African Wood Owl, are fearsome predators, they can fall prey to eagles and larger hawks.

Threats
The population of African Wood Owls is considered to be reasonably healthy, but it is threatened by the use of insecticides and, in particular, by the use of rat poisons. This is ingested by the following a meal on a poisoned rodent. Deforestation is also a major threat.

Local information
As with all owls, they are not easy to see unless you are out at night. They are often heard and there are good populations in Everton and parts of Kloof that border the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve.

Interesting facts
The scientific name of the African Wood Owl is Strix woodfordii. The Latin word Strix refers to a legendary vampiric owl-monster that, according to legend, used to suck the blood of infants. This would cause many nightmares if included in any fairy-tale! The name woodfordii refers to a naturalist soldier, Colonel E.J.A. Woodford who was served in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars.

Owl Boxes
African Wood Owls do take up residence in owl boxes if the conditions are favourable. If you have a suitably wooded garden, or have a large tree next to an indigenous forest, you may want to consider installing an Owl Box. For more information, contact the Non-profit organisation, the Owl Box Project via its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/owlboxproject/

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