AFRICAN WOOD-OWL
Strix woodfordii

uNobathekeli (m), uMabhengwane (f), (Zulu), Bosuil (Afrikaans)

HABITAT
Wood owls are found in evergreen forest, riverine forest, dense woodland and coastal bush and also in pine plantations. They are strictly nocturnal and usually in pairs.

TYPE
This is a medium sized owl, deep red brown above and and barred russet and white below.   It is spotted white on the wings and the face is white ewith broad eyebrows which contrast with the dark crown and eyes. The bill is yellow and the feet yellowish pink.

FOOD
The food consists mainly of insects but it also takes rodents, frogs, birds and centipedes. They hunt by dropping onto the prey from a perch and also hawk insects in the air.

BREEDING
They nest from July to October in KwaZuklu-Natal, using a natural hole in a tree with either a side or top entrance. Usually two white eggs are laid.

STATUS
Locally fairly common resident.