[order] STRIGIFORMES | [family] Strigidae | [latin] Strix butleri | [authority] Hume, 1878 | [UK] Humes Owl | [FR] Chouette de Butler | [DE] Fahlkauz | [ES] Carabo arabe | [NL] Palestijnse Bosuil
| Genus |
Species |
subspecies |
Region |
Range |
| Strix |
butleri |
|
EU |
sw |
Genus
Members of the genus Strix are the wood owls. They are medium to large owls, having a large, rounded head and no ear-tufts. The comparatively large eyes range from yellow through to dark brown. Colouring is generally designed fro camouflage in woodland, and a number of the member of this genus have colour phases. There are 20 species scattered practically throughout the globe with the exception of Australasia, the South Pacific and Madagascar, where the genus Ninox takes its place. There being no clear generic differences between Strix and Ciccaba genera, and DNA evidence suggesting very close relationships, many authorities now merge the latter into the former.
White facial disc, crown with dark central band, upperparts light sandy-grey or greyish-yellow with dusky brown spots and streaks, Distinct golden-buff collar across top of mantle, extending as wash across chest. Scapulars and wing covers tipped pale buff or white, light and dark brown bars on flight feathers and tail. Underparts cream colored with some dark mottling or thin brown shaft streaks, lightly vermiculated on breast and flanks. Tarsi feathered white, iris orange, bill yellowish-horn, toes greyish.
Listen to the sound of Humes Owl
[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/STRIGIFORMES/Strigidae/sounds/Humes Owl.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: |
95 |
cm |
wingspan max.: |
98 |
cm |
| size min.: |
29 |
cm |
size max.: |
33 |
cm |
| incubation min.: |
34 |
days |
incubation max.: |
39 |
days |
| fledging min.: |
30 |
days |
fledging max.: |
40 |
days |
| broods: |
0 |
|
eggs min.: |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
eggs max.: |
5 |
|
Eurasia : Southwest
In rather isolated rocky desert and gorges or canyons in semi desert. Usually with water source nearhy, also near acacias and palm grofes, and sometimes at ruined buildings.
Mar-Aug. Nest in cavity or cave in wall of steep gorge. 4-5 eggs, incubation 34-39 days, by female, but confirmed record of both parents incubating.
Chick with white down. Fledging period 30-40 days.
Mainly rodents such as Jirds, gerbils and spiny mice, also birds and lizard, occasionally insects.
Nocturnal and crepuscular. Hunts mostly from perch, often near roads and tracks, also hawks insects in air. Forages occasionally by walking on ground
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Resident
