Photo: Mikael Bauer / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Red Owl
Tyto soumagnei
Red Owl (Tyto soumagnei) — Owls of Africa.
The Red Owl (Tyto soumagnei) is a member of the Tytonidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 284 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Tytonidae Barn Owls
- Genus Tyto
- Species soumagnei
Quick facts
- Weight
- 284 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Tytonidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Not Evaluated
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Red Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red Owl (Tyto soumagnei) belongs to the Tytonidae family of the order Strigiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF nw, e Madagascar.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 284 g, with a wing length of about 21 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 61,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red Owl?
The Red Owl is a large bird that weighs around 284 g.
Where does the Red Owl live?
The Red Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF nw, e Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Red Owl belong to?
The Red Owl (Tyto soumagnei) belongs to the Tytonidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Red Owl eat?
The Red Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Red Owl migrate?
The Red Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Red Owl endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Red Owl make?
1 real field recording of the Red Owl — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Red Owl's range?
The Red Owl has a mapped global range of about 61,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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