The African Barred Owl is a slightly larger version of the Pearl-Spotted Owlet and
differs from the Scopes owls in that it has no ear tuffs. It is a dumpy owl and if you
look closely you’ll notice a very distinctive bold V or ‘shoulder stripe’ on its back
formed by white feathers. This small owl mainly hunts at dusk, from a perch. It drops
down onto its prey which is predominantly insects.
The call of the Barred owl is a series of purring notes and they live in woodland and
densely-treed savannah, nesting in natural holes in tree’s. The holes that they
require are however, bigger than those made by barbets and woodpeckers; these
are used by the smaller Pearl-spotted owlet.