African Wood-Owl (Strix woodfordii)

This strictly nocturnal species roosts during the day in dense vegetation, 1 to 30 metres off the ground, either alone or in pairs (2). At night, it emerges to hunt for arthropods, reptiles, small mammals and birds, which are caught on the wing, off the ground or in trees and shrubs (2) (6). The nests are generally made in tree holes, without additional lining material. Between one and three eggs are laid, at two to four day intervals, and incubated by the female for around 31 days. During this time, the male does all the hunting and feeds the female at the nest. The hatchlings open their eyes after about ten days and start branching after 23 to 37 days. By around 45 days after hatching, the young will be competent fliers but remain with the parents until roughly four months old (5).

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