About the African Wood Owl
The African wood owl or Woodford's owl, is a typical owl from the genus Strix in the family Strigidae and is arguably the most common forest owl in Africa. It inhabits wooded areas and possesses a distinctive call. During the day it roosts singly or in pairs in dense cover, high in trees, whilst at night it forages for food.
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The African wood owl is a medium-sized owl which has the typical rounded head of the genus Strix, similar to the Palearctic tawny owl or Holarctic great grey owl, with large dark eyes outlined by white eyebrows. The rest of the head is generally dark brown with white spots and a prominent yellow beak. It has a white belly with brown barring and has and overall rich brown plumage with paler underparts, but this varies considerably across its range. Juveniles are a paler rufous colour. It is 30.5 to 35 cm (12.0 to 13.8 in) long and weighs from 240 to 350 grams (8.5 to 12.3 oz). Voice: The typical song, like that of the tawny owl, is a duet between the male and the female, the male makes a series of rapid, clear hoots, and the female answers with higher pitched, more leisurely hoots. Each series of hoots (for each sex) comprise three groups of syllables (WHU-hu, WHU-hu-hu, hu-hu). Calling begins after dusk.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the African Wood Owl sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Sudan.
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black-and-white OwlStrix nigrolineataThe black-and-white owl is a medium-sized owl with a round head and no ear tufts.
Mottled Wood OwlStrix ocellataThis large owl lacks ear tufts and is mottled and vermiculated in reddish brown and white.
Great Grey OwlStrix nebulosaAdults have large, rounded heads with grey faces and yellow eyes with darker circles around them.
Learn the African Wood Owl for real
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