GUFO AFRICANO

Name:
AFRICAN EAGLE OWL

Scientific name:
Bubo africanus

Class:
Birds

Order:
Strigiformes

Family:
Strigidae

Origin:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Diet:
Rodents – birds – insects – reptiles

Habitat:
Farmlands, open woodlands, semi-desert and rocky areas

Reproduction:
Eggs: 2–4 – Incubation: approximately 32 days

It is a medium-sized bird of prey, reaching a height of 45 cm and weighing between 480 and 850 grams. It has a wingspan of 33 cm. The head color ranges from pale grey to light ochre, and the eyes are bright yellow.

The head is topped with two ear tufts. The body is greyish-brown, becoming lighter underneath with streaks. It hunts at night and rests in trees during the day.

It is monogamous. Breeding occurs between July and February. The female lays her eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground. The chicks begin to fly at around 7 weeks of age. In the wild, it lives for about 10 years.