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Pearl-spotted Owlet
Other Names:
Afrikaans: Witkoluil
French: Chevêchette perlée
German: Perlkauz
Kwangali Kakuru
Shona: Zizi
Spansih: Mochelo Perlado
Tsonga: Mankhudu
Tswana: Lerubisana
Zulu: iNkovana
Common Names: Pearl-spotted Owl
Glaucidium perlatum

Photo of a Pearl-spotted Owlet by Achim under the Copyright license.
The Pearl-spotted Owlet is a small sized owl with a longish tail. The upperparts are brown with white spots and the underparts are white with broad streaks. It has a white face, no ear-tufts and yellow eyes. The back of their head has two 'false eyes' patterned with two dark spots.
Immature: The Immature lacks the spots on its head and back.
Length: 17-21cm
Weight: Male: 36–86 g
Female: 61–147 g
Distribution: Pearl-spotted Owlets may be found in Gambia to Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda to north and east South Africa, Angola and Namibia.
Habitat: They inhabit bushveld, woodland and Acacia savanna.
Food: Their diet consists of arthropods, small rodents, bats, lizards, snakes, frogs, small birds, bats and molluscs after the rain.
Breeding: The breeding season starts in August and ends in November. During the start of breeding, both sexes give a ventriloquial peep every 30 seconds.
Nest: The nest is usually a disused barbet or woodpecker hole in a tree, a natural tree-hole or nestbox. It may be lined with green leaves. The nest is located 1-10m above the ground.
Eggs: 2-4 white eggs are laid by the Female.
Incubation: The incubation period lasts for 28-29 days by both sexes.
Nestlings: The chicks are downy white and becomes a greyish white later on. At birth, they weigh 7g. The Male brings food to the Female who feeds the chicks. The chicks fledge in 31 days.
Interesting Facts:
# The Pearl-spotted Owlet is the smallest owl in south Africa.
# This owl is partly diurnal but mainly nocturnal.
# When they are alarmed, they will flick or wag their tail.