Exceptions include the diurnal northern hawk-owl and the gregarious burrowing owl. Owl Tales from Africa by Bruce G. Marcot - Postscripts to "Owls in Lore and Culture" 1 August 2000 I recently returned from 3+ weeks in southern Africa, mostly in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia (also corners of Botswana and Zambia). African Owls. They are particularly despised in many African cultures as evil creatures and harbingers of doom and death. Long-tufted Screech Owl Megascops sanctaecatarinae. Here we present 25 of the best photographs presented for this week’s theme. As in Asia, new species are still being discovered. The Latin name Strix referred to a legendary vamparic owl-monster believed to … Next week we explore the birds of Australia. The first photo was posted a day later. Typical call - Puerto Viejo, Heredia, Costa Rica. Birds of Africa are amongst the most varied, numerous, and colourful of anywhere in the world. Africa, Southern: Zulus know the Owl as the sorcerers' bird. CC Dan Lane. It seems that many have been enchanted by Africa’s amazing birdlife. April 2001. World Owl Mythology. ... African Wood Owl Strix woodfordii. Africa, East: the Swahili believe the Owl brings illness to children. Derivation of scientific name: The African Wood Owl and a number of Neotropical owl species were previously placed in the genus Ciccaba, but due to their close relatedness to species of the genus Strix, they have now been included in the genus Strix (Claus et al. Africa, Central: the Owl is the familiar of wizards to the Bantu. Official Common Name: African Wood Owl. 1999). Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes / ˈ s t r ɪ dʒ ɪ f ɔːr m iː z /, which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. Typical Call - São Francisco de Paula, Brazil. Owls have also been persecuted on a global scale as a result of superstitious beliefs. The second photo, of the owl’s long legs, was tweeted on the account on 15 August 2019. CC Nick Athanas. Abyssinia: the Hamites held the Owl to be sacred. August 2008. This is a shame, as Africa plays host to a myriad of owl species, many of which are hardly known to science. There is evidence of owls in Africa going back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians, including tomb paintings and mummified remains. Vermiculated Screech Owl Megascops vermiculatus. Afghanistan: the Owl gave Man flint and iron to make fire - in exchange, Man gave the Owl his feathers. True for some owls, but not all. The continent is home to over 2,300 documented bird species, of which 67% are endemic to Africa.. Whilst the large mammals often steal the show on a safari, the huge variety of birds of Africa can be overlooked. As Rudyard Kipling said: “One cannot resist the lure of Africa.” We invite you to join us on an adventure to explore the amazing birdlife of Africa. Africa is home to more than 30 species of owl including some that eat fish. Danelle Murray from South Africa’s Owl Rescue Centre identified the bird as a Bengal eagle owl, “one of the bigger species of owls”.