Biology
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A nocturnal species, Sjostedt's owlet can be identified by its distinctive kroo-kroo-kroo call, most frequently made around dusk and dawn. Much of this species' nighttime activity is devoted to hunting, which generally takes place in the forest understory. Its diet consists of insects such as grasshoppers, but also spiders, crabs, mice, small snakes and nestling birds. As a nestling predator, it is interesting to note that on occasions when Sjostedt's owlet individuals are disturbed from their daytime roosts, they are often mobbed by small birds (2).
The breeding season of Sjostedt's owlet is currently unclear. Although it is known to lay in July in Gabon, nestlings have been found throughout much of the year in Cameroon. Males are territorial, protecting their ranges from rival males, and making loud calls in order to attract females. After mating, a nest is constructed in a cavity or natural tree hollow, in which the female lays a clutch of at least two eggs, which are incubated for around one month (2).
Conservation
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Although there are no specific conservation measures in place for Sjostedt's owlet at present (1), it is found within a number of protected areas throughout its range (4), including the Gamba Protected Areas Complex in Gabon (5). This collection of eight protected areas, two of which have National Park status, is helping to preserve Gabon's unique wildlife from logging and hunting (5). Despite this protection, more information must be gathered about the population and breeding biology of Sjostedt's owlet to ensure that its population is not in need of specific conservation action (2).
Description
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Sjostedt's owlet is a small, attractively coloured owl species found in Central Africa. The head, neck and upper back are brown and densely marked with thin, white bars, while the rest of the upperparts are deep chestnut. Extensive barring is also found on the breast, which is light cinnamon-brown, with numerous dark brown bars on the upper breast that become more diffuse towards the lower regions. This species' face is particularly distinctive, with striking, white eyebrow-like markings above the large, bright yellow eyes. The juvenile's plumage resembles the adult's, but is generally paler, with light yellowish-brown underparts becoming chestnut around the throat, and with faint barring on the upper breast (2).
Habitat
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Generally restricted to lowland primary forest, Sjostedt's owlet avoids regions that are particularly damp, as well as the forest edge (2).
Range
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Sjostedt's owlet is found in western Central Africa, from south-eastern Nigeria eastwards through Cameroon to the Central African Republic, and southwards to Gabon, northern Congo and north-western and central Democratic Republic of Congo (1) (2).
Status
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Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
Threats
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There is currently some uncertainty regarding the conservation status of Sjostedt's owlet. On the basis of its relatively large range, the IUCN do not classify this species as being particularly threatened at present (1). Nevertheless, with high levels of deforestation occurring in all of the countries that Sjostedt's owlet occupies (2) (4), as well as a lack of global population surveys, it is possible that this species may be far less abundant, and more at risk, than is currently appreciated (2).
Sjöstedt's barred owlet
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Sjöstedt's barred owlet (Glaucidium sjostedti), also known as Sjöstedt's owlet, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae from west central Africa.
Description
Sjöstedt's barred owlet is a small owl, which has a brown head, neck and upper back densely marked with thin, white bars, while the remainder of the upperparts are deep reddish brown. There is extensive barring on the breast, where many dark brown bars are set against the light cinnamon-brown background; the barring becomes more diffuse towards the lower belly and vent. It has a distinctive face, with bold, white eyebrows above bright yellow eyes. Juveniles resemble the adults, but are generally paler, with a yellow-brown cast to the underparts and faint barring on the upper breast, darkening to become chestnut around the throat.[3]
Voice
Sjöstedt's barred owlet has a distinctive call which can be rendered as "kroo-kroo-kroo", which is most often made around dawn and dusk.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Sjöstedt's barred owlet occurs in western Central Africa, from south-eastern Nigeria east through Cameroon to the Central African Republic, and southwards to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, northern Congo and north-western and central Democratic Republic of Congo.[4]
Sjöstedt's barred owlet is generally restricted to lowland primary forest; it avoids regions that are particularly damp,[3] and the forest edges. It occurs at high altitude on Mount Cameroon.[4]
Behaviour
Sjöstedt's barred owlet is a nocturnal species, hunting during the night in the forest understorey. Its diet consists of insects such as grasshoppers, but also spiders, crabs, mice, small snakes and nestling birds. When an owlet is disturbed from its daytime roost, it often results in mobbing behaviour by small birds, e.g. passerines. The breeding season of Sjöstedt's barred owlet is little known, although it lays in July in Gabon and young have been found in nests throughout much of the year in Cameroon. The males are territorial, calling loudly in order to attract females and to warn off potentially rival males. The nest is in a cavity or natural tree hollow, where the female lays a clutch of at least two eggs, with an incubation period of around one month.[3]
Etymology
The species is named after Swedish naturalist Bror Yngve Sjöstedt.[5]
References
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Sjöstedt's barred owlet: Brief Summary
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Sjöstedt's barred owlet (Glaucidium sjostedti), also known as Sjöstedt's owlet, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae from west central Africa.
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