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    Ptilopsis – White-faced owls

    These owls hunt from a perch, dropping down on their unsuspecting prey

    There are just two Ptilopsis species with separate home ranges in northern – and southern Africa. They have round orange eyes, dark-grey patterned feathers, and long ear tufts. They eat insects, reptiles, and small mammals.

    Northern white-faced owls have a quieter two-note call, while southern owls utter rapid staccato hoots. Because of their relatively small size, white-faced owls are preyed on by larger raptors. White-faced owls respond to larger threats by freezing, elongating their bodies, and closing their eyes in the hopes of remaining unseen. However, white-faced owls try to intimidate smaller foes by puffing up their feathers to appear larger.