r/Awwducational • u/IdyllicSafeguard • Sep 05 '24
Verified While the spotted owlet is nocturnal, it can sometimes be seen during the day — it will bob its head and stare intensely at anyone who bothers it. This owlet can be located by watching for the small birds that often mob it or — during dusk and dawn — by the owlet's “chirurr-chirurr-chirurr” chuckle.
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u/Old-Beach-3651 Sep 07 '24
I work in retail and let me tell you, I too "stare intensely at anyone who bothers" me. But all jokes aside, what beautiful creatures these are!
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u/IdyllicSafeguard Sep 08 '24
I'm always impressed at how expressive owls can be. They can look stoic and fierce or super grumpy and goofy.
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u/castillar Sep 06 '24
Beautiful birds, and those pictures are seriously giving the best “old man yelling at neighbors” vibes. :)
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u/maybesaydie Sep 06 '24 edited Sep 06 '24
My favorite owls. And what relief to learn that this one is not endangered.
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u/IdyllicSafeguard Sep 08 '24
I think my favourite owl is the morepork, or ruru, from New Zealand. But this little guy is definitely a runner up.
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u/IdyllicSafeguard Sep 05 '24
The spotted owlet is commonly seen in urban habitats where it takes full advantage of city life. It catches insects and bats from below streetlights, feeds cockroaches to its chicks, and stakes out sewers for rodents.
Spotted owlet nests found closer to human habitation tend to be more successful, likely owing to the higher abundance of food.
The scientific name of the spotted owl (Athene brama) is comprised of two gods from two different mythologies. Its genus name, Athene, references Athena; the Greek goddess of wisdom and war. Its specific name, brama, comes from the Hindu creator god Brahma.
While the spotted owlet is small — barely 21 cm (8.3 in) tall — it's not the smallest owl species. That title belongs to the elf owl; coming in at around 13 cm (5 in).
The spotted owlet lives in open habitats throughout much of Asia; from Iran to the Indian subcontinent to mainland Southeast Asia.
Before it leaves its hollow to hunt at dawn and dusk, it emits a loud “chirurr-chirurr-chirurr” chuckle-like call.
The spotted owlet needs tree cavities for nesting and hiding. It uses these hollows to avoid larger birds such as crows and mynas.
You can read more about this adorable assassin here or learn more about owls — there are some 250 species — here!