Fearful owl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fearful owl |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Asio
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| Species: |
solomonensis
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The fearful owl (scientific name: Asio solomonensis) is a special kind of owl. It's a medium-sized bird that lives only in the Solomon Islands. You can usually find it in tall forests, often on hills, up to 800 meters (about 2,600 feet) above the sea.
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What Does the Fearful Owl Look Like?
This large forest owl can grow to be about 38 centimeters (15 inches) long. It has a reddish-brown face with bright white eyebrows. The inner part of its face is also white. Its body is usually mottled brown with deep orange-yellow feathers underneath, and it has dark streaks.
The fearful owl might look a bit like the Solomon hawk owl. However, the hawk owl is a little smaller and thinner. It also looks similar to the laughing owl, which is now extinct.
What Does Its Call Sound Like?
The fearful owl's call is very unique. It sounds a lot like a clear human scream! The sound gets louder and higher in pitch. It makes these calls in a series, repeating each one about every ten seconds.
Where Does the Fearful Owl Live?
The fearful owl lives only in certain places. You can find it on Bougainville Island in Papua New Guinea. It also lives on Choiseul Island and Santa Isabel Island in the Solomon Islands.
It prefers old, tall forests in lowlands and hills. This owl mostly lives in untouched "primary" forests. But sometimes, it can also be found in newer "secondary" forests or at the edges of woodlands. It can live up to 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet) above sea level.
How Does the Fearful Owl Behave?
Fearful owls usually build their nests in holes or cracks in trees. However, some nests have been found on large fig trees (Ficus species). These nests were on branches covered with epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants. They've been seen nesting both deep in the forest and near the forest edge, close to gardens.
Why Is the Fearful Owl in Danger?
The fearful owl hunts and eats small mammals called phalangers. One of its favorite foods is the northern common cuscus.
Sadly, the fearful owl is considered a vulnerable species. This means its population is decreasing. One reason might be that too many northern common cuscuses are being hunted. However, the biggest threat to the fearful owl is habitat loss. This happens when forests are cut down for logging, which destroys the owl's home.
