Bubo africanus
Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~30% in a week ~50%
The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus), also known as the African spotted eagle-owl and the African eagle-owl, is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls. Its length is 45 cm (18 in) and its weight is from 454 to 907 grams (1.0 to 2.0 lb). It has a 100 to 140 cm (39 to 55 in) wingspan. The facial disk is off-white to pale ochre and the eyes are yellow. It has prominent ear-tufts, and the upper body is dusky brown, the lower parts off-white with brown bars. Prior to 1999 the spotted eagle-owl was considered conspecific with the greyish eagle-owl, but now it is classed as a separate species.
Spotted eagle-owls are the most common species of owl found in Southern Africa. They have a healthy population in most parts of the region. They are often referred to as urban owls and will live in close proximity to human habitation. They occur throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They can also be found in thorn savanna and in suburban gardens, such as the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe.
Its prey mainly consists of rodents, small mammals, birds (up to the size of terns and falcons), insects (such as beetles), other arthropods... Wikipedia →
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Spotted Eagle-Owl sighting in Johannesburg on a given day, based on 377 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 61st most-seen of the 219 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 50%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Spotted Eagle-Owl in Johannesburg on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
Between 4 and 7 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Spotted Eagle-Owl sightings with a recorded time, and about 6 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is most active around dawn and dusk.
Yes
Of the 7 cities where we can rate Spotted Eagle-Owl sightings, Johannesburg has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Cape Town (South Africa, under 5%) and Pretoria (South Africa, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Spotted Eagle-Owl is recorded against all the birds logged in Johannesburg (377 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
