Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-browed Owl
Athene superciliaris
White-browed Owl (Athene superciliaris) — Owls of Africa.
The White-browed Owl (Athene superciliaris) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 231 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 Athene
- Species superciliaris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 231 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-browed Owl is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The White-browed Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-browed Owl (Athene superciliaris) is a species of bird in the Strigidae family, part of the order Strigiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar (except c).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 231 g, with a wing length of about 19.4 cm and a tail of around 11.8 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 415,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-browed Owl?
The White-browed Owl is a large bird that weighs around 231 g.
Where does the White-browed Owl live?
The White-browed Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar (except c), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-browed Owl belong to?
The White-browed Owl (Athene superciliaris) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the White-browed Owl eat?
The White-browed Owl is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the White-browed Owl migrate?
The White-browed Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-browed 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 White-browed Owl make?
1 real field recording of the White-browed Owl — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-browed Owl's range?
The White-browed Owl has a mapped global range of about 415,000 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.