Photo: David Erickson, self, / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Spotted Eagle-Owl
Bubo africanus
Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus) — Owls of Africa.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 645 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 Bubo
- Species africanus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 645 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Spotted Eagle-Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Spotted Eagle-Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus) is a member of the Strigidae family, within the order Strigiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF s of Equator.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 645 g, with a wing length of about 29.9 cm and a tail of around 16.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 9.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Spotted Eagle-Owl?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl is a large bird that weighs around 645 g.
Where does the Spotted Eagle-Owl live?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF s of Equator, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Spotted Eagle-Owl belong to?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Spotted Eagle-Owl eat?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Spotted Eagle-Owl migrate?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Spotted Eagle-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.
What sound does the Spotted Eagle-Owl make?
1 real field recording of the Spotted Eagle-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 Spotted Eagle-Owl's range?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl has a mapped global range of about 9.2 million 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.