About Glaucidium capense (A.Smith, 1834)
The African barred owlet, scientifically named Glaucidium capense (A.Smith, 1834), is a small owlet with noticeable geographic variation across its range. For the nominate subspecies, the upperparts are greyish brown, marked with fine buff bars, and it has a narrow white eyebrow. The outer webs of the scapulars and greater wing coverts are white, with dark brown tips; these feathers form a white stripe that runs across the shoulder and the folded wing. The brown chest is finely barred with buff, while the breast and flanks are white with brown spots. The underwing coverts, legs, and vent are white. The flight feathers and tail are brown, barred with rufous. The bill and cere are a dull greenish yellow, and the eyes, legs, and feet are yellow. This species measures approximately 17 cm (6.7 in) in length, with a wingspan of around 40 cm (16 in).
Glaucidium capense is endemic to Southern and Eastern Africa, ranging from Kenya and the Eastern Cape to Western Angola. African barred owlets live in open, tree-containing habitats, including gallery forest, woodland, forest edge, and secondary growth.
