red owl

1. Bird Name: The Red Owl (Tyto soumagnei).

2. Appearance: The Red Owl, as its name implies, has a distinct reddish-brown hue to its plumage. It is a medium-sized owl with no ear tufts and a rounded head. The upper parts of the bird are uniformly reddish-brown to rufous, and its underparts are hinted with a paler tone. The facial disk is orange-brown, and the bright black eyes give it an impressive but strikingly intense stare. The beak is yellow to horn-colored. There is no significant difference between the males and females; both have similar markings and coloration.

3. Size: The Red Owl is vertically measured for an average length of 22 to 30 cm, roughly 8.6 inches to 11.8 inches. The wingspan, on the other hand, is not specified as it can hardly be seen in its full span. The average weight may range between 290 and 460 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution: Endemic to the forests of Madagascar, the distribution of the Red Owl stretches from the north to south in the Madagascar Island’s eastern rainforefsts. Besides the rainforest areas, it also inhabits wetlands and swampy vegetation.

5. Interesting Facts: Fascinatingly, the Red Owl is considered a mythical bird among Madagascar’s inhabitants because it is rarely spotted and was only recently rediscovered in 1993. Not much is known about migration habits but it’s believed to be a sedentary species. A study suggests that it can be semi-nomadic, moving in search of food.

6. Diet: The diet of the Red Owl predominantly consists of small mammals especially rodents but also includes smaller bird species, insects, and occasionally, amphibians.

7. Behavior & Sounds: The Red Owl is nocturnal, meaning it is most active at night. It has an elusive behavior and is generally solitary except during mating season. Their call or song is a series of brief, hollow hoots.

8. Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, the Red Owl is classified as vulnerable. It faces threats from deforestation and habitat destruction, mainly due to slash-and-burn practices, logging, and mining.

9. Lifespan: The precise lifespan of the Red Owl is unknown due to the lack of extensive research. However, most owl species tend to live up to 10 to 15 years in the wild and longer in captivity.

10. Additional Notes: In Malagasy, the local language of Madagascar, the Red Owl is known as “Mpaka folo.” Their interaction with humans is limited, and sightings are a rarity due to the nocturnal and elusive nature of this bird. However, they are integral to their ecosystem for their role in controlling rodent populations. Their presence indicates a healthy forest ecosystem, making them a crucial species for conservation efforts in Madagascar.