Photo: Mikael Bauer / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Abyssinian Owl
Asio abyssinicus
Abyssinian Owl (Asio abyssinicus) — Owls of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Abyssinian Owl (Asio abyssinicus) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 322 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Strigidae Owls
- Genus Asio
- Species abyssinicus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 322 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Abyssinian Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Abyssinian Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Abyssinian Owl (Asio abyssinicus) is a member of the Strigidae family, within the order Strigiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 322 g, with a wing length of about 33.5 cm and a tail of around 16.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 154,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Abyssinian Owl?
The Abyssinian Owl is a large bird that weighs around 322 g.
Where does the Abyssinian Owl live?
The Abyssinian Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Abyssinian Owl belong to?
The Abyssinian Owl (Asio abyssinicus) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Abyssinian Owl eat?
The Abyssinian Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Abyssinian Owl migrate?
The Abyssinian Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Abyssinian Owl endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Abyssinian Owl's range?
The Abyssinian Owl has a mapped global range of about 154,000 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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Guides for this bird
Meet the Strigidae
A field guide to the Strigidae family — 236 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.