About the Spotted Owlet
The spotted owlet is a small owl which breeds in tropical Asia from North Pakistan to Southeast Asia. A common resident of open habitats including farmland and human habitation, it has adapted to living in cities. They roost in small groups in the hollows of trees or in cavities in rocks and buildings. It nests in a hole in a tree or building, laying 3–5 eggs. The species shows great variation including clinal variation in size and forms a superspecies with the very similar little owl.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The spotted owlet is a small and stocky bird, barely 21 cm (8.3 in) in size. The upperparts are grey-brown, heavily spotted with white. The underparts are white, streaked with brown. The facial disc is pale and the iris is yellow. There is a white neckband and supercilium. Sexes are similar. The flight is deeply undulating. The nominate form is darker than the paler forms such as indica of drier regions.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Spotted Owlet sounds like
Where the Spotted Owlet lives
When to see the Spotted Owlet
Peak activity in February · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Little OwlAthene noctuaThe little owl is a small owl with a flat-topped head, a plump, compact body and a short tail.
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaBurrowing owls have bright eyes; their beaks can be dark yellow or gray depending on the subspecies.
Guadalcanal OwlAthene grantiThe Guadalcanal owl, also known as the Guadalcanal boobook is a small to medium-sized owl.
Side by side: Burrowing Owl vs Spotted Owlet · Little Owl vs Spotted Owlet
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