Usambara Eagle-Owl
The Usamabara Great Horned Owl ( Bubo vosseleri ) is a species of the family of real owls. It is found only in a small area in East Africa. In older literature, it is sometimes performed as a subspecies of Guinea- owls. However, the two species have no coherent distribution area and are distinguished by their body size, their Rufrepertoire and their plumage coloration.
Features
The Usambara Eagle Owl is significantly larger than the Guinea- owl and reaches a body length of 45-48 centimeters .. He is darker on the body top and has a reddish face veil, which is surrounded by black feathers. The front chest has a dense brown-black spot pattern. The rest of the body base is striated irregular and also has very narrow, dark longitudinal stripes on. The ear tufts are brown and short. The eyes are dark orange-brown. Similarity exists with the Fleckenuhu but it has conspicuous ear tufts and yellow eyes. The Grey Owl, however, is gray and striped tight on the body bottom.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Usambara eagle owl is very small: it is limited to the Usambara and Uluguru mountain range in the north- eastern Tanzania. Maybe it also occurs in the Nguru Mountains in this region. He settled evergreen mountain forests, forest edges and plantations at altitudes 900-1500 m. He is basically a state bird. Not brooding Usambara eagle owl pull in cold weather occasionally in lower valleys. Then they also occur at altitudes of 200 meters.
Way of life
The life habits of the Usambara eagle owls are not yet sufficiently investigated. It is however very likely that his way of life largely resembles that of the Guinea- owls. The food range includes putative small mammals and birds and reptiles and spiders. The reproductive biology is not yet definitively resolved. Nests were found in the months of October, December, January and February. A not yet airworthy young bird was observed in April.