Fraser's Eagle-Owl

Guinea- owl (Bubo poensis )

The Guinea- owl (Bubo poensis ) is a species of the family of the actual owls. It is endemic in West and Central Africa.

Features

The Guinea- Owl is a relatively small Uhuart. It reaches a body length of 39-44 inches. Males are slightly smaller and lighter. Females weigh 685-815 grams while males weigh about 575 grams.

The Guinea- owl has prominent ear tufts and a dark- framed face veil. The toes are not feathered. The beak is pale blue-gray. The eyes are dark brown. The plumage is predominantly reddish and cream. What is striking is the wide striped underparts, which is slightly lighter than the body top. On the front chest also find dark spots, which are very tight especially on the sides of the chest.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area extends from the island of Bioko in the Gulf of Guinea on the tropical rain forests of West Africa to the Congo and southwestern Uganda. To the south direction of propagation of the Guinea- owl occurs up to the extreme north-west of Angola. Its habitat are predominantly primary rainforests in the lowlands, where it lives mainly in forest edges and clearings. Secondary forest is also inhabited and he also happens to cardamom plantations. In Cameroon, it can still be found at altitudes of 1,600 meters above sea level.

Way of life

The Guinea- owl is one of the Uhuarten whose way of life is so far studied only superficially. It is crepuscular and nocturnal. He sits in the dense canopy of trees. The food range includes small mammals, birds, frogs, reptiles, and insects and spiders. The beginning of the breeding season varies depending on the area of ​​distribution: In Liberia, it breeds in the period from February to May in Cameroon, however, in the period July to December. There is evidence that it breeds both directly on the ground or in tree hollows.

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