Cape Eagle-Owl
NameCape Eagle-Owl
Common NameCape Eagle-Owl
Scientific NameBubo capensis
FamilyStrigidae
Wingspan (cm)112.5
Length (cm)53
Weight (g)1320
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is dark brown on the upperparts, heavily mottled and barred with black and buff. The underparts are buffy-white with bold dark brown streaking. It features prominent ear tufts and bright orange eyes, set within a well-defined facial disc with dark markings.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a deep, resonant hoot, often rendered as 'hoo-hoo-hooo' or 'hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo'. It can also produce various barks, screeches, and hisses.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsmountain, forest, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in disjunct populations across eastern and southern Africa, including parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.
Identifying Featuresprominent ear tufts, bright orange eyes, dark brown and buff mottled plumage, large size, streaked underparts
Description
A large, powerful owl characterized by its prominent ear tufts and striking orange eyes. This nocturnal predator typically inhabits rocky, mountainous regions and gorges, hunting a variety of small to medium-sized prey.
