Red-chested owlet

The red-chested owlet (Glaucidium tephronotum) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae, native to the African tropical rainforest. Its habits and behaviour are poorly known.

Red-chested owlet
Red-chested owlet (right)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Glaucidium
Species:
G. tephronotum
Binomial name
Glaucidium tephronotum
Sharpe, 1875

Description

The red-chested owlet is a very small owl, which has a light grey facial disc with whitish markings and short white eyebrows. The head and neck are dark grey and the back and wings are sooty brown. The long tail has three faint bars, the upper breast and flanks have a reddish-brown wash, while the remainder of the underparts are whitish with rufous streaks on the side of the belly. The iris and bill are yellow.[3] Length is about 14 cm (5.5 in) and wingspan is about 35 cm (14 in).[4]

Voice

The call of the red-chested owlet is a series of up to 20 high-pitched whistling notes.[4]

Distribution, subspecies and habitat

There are currently three recognised subspecies of red-chested owlet:[5]

The red-chested owlet inhabits primary rain forest and a mosaic of forest and scrub, as well as clearings and forest edges. It inhabits elevations of up to 2,150 m (7,050 ft) above sea level.

Behaviour

The red-chested owlet is mainly nocturnal but will hunt and call on overcast afternoons; it roosts in cavities in trees during the day. The main food is insects such as beetles, mantises, grasshoppers, moths and cockroaches, as well as small mammals and birds. Its breeding behaviour is almost unknown but it is thought to nest in the old nesting cavities created by woodpeckers or barbets.[6]

Conservation status

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List, classifies the red-chested owlet as least concern, since the population is believed to be stable and has a sizable range.[1]

References

  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Glaucidium tephronotum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22689267A93224451. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22689267A93224451.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. "Profile Red Chested Owlet". Avibirds.Owls. Avibirds. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  4. Kemp, Alan; Kemp, Meg (1998). SASOL Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands. New Holland. pp. 294–295. ISBN 1 85974 100 2.
  5. "Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum Sharpe, 1875". Avibase. Denis Lepage. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  6. König, Claus; Weick, Friedhelm; Becking, Jan-Hendrick (1999). Owls A Guide to the Owls of the World. Pica Press. pp. 354–355. ISBN 1-873403-74-7.
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