Red-chested owlet facts for kids
The red-chested owlet (Glaucidium tephronotum) is a small, mysterious owl. It lives in the rainforests of Africa. This little owl belongs to the Strigidae family, which includes most owls. We don't know much about its daily life and habits yet!
Quick facts for kids Red-chested owlet |
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| Red-chested owlet (right) | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Glaucidium |
| Species: |
G. tephronotum
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| Binomial name | |
| Glaucidium tephronotum Sharpe, 1875
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Contents
What Does the Red-Chested Owlet Look Like?
The red-chested owlet is a very tiny owl. It has a light grey face with white marks. It also has short white eyebrows. Its head and neck are dark grey. The back and wings are a sooty brown color.
This owl has a long tail with three faint bars. Its upper chest and sides have a reddish-brown tint. The rest of its belly is whitish. It has rufous (reddish-brown) streaks on the sides of its belly. Both its eyes and beak are yellow. This owl is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long. Its wings can spread out to about 35 cm (14 in).
The Owlet's Call
The red-chested owlet makes a special sound. Its call is a series of up to 20 high-pitched whistling notes. It sounds like a quick, repeated whistle.
Where Do Red-Chested Owlets Live?
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the red-chested owlet. Each type lives in a different part of Africa.
- Glaucidium tephronotum tephronotum: You can find this type in Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.
- Glaucidium tephronotum pycrafti: This type lives in southern Cameroon and northern Gabon.
- Glaucidium tephronotum medje: This type is found in the Congo, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, southwestern Uganda, and western Kenya.
Red-chested owlets live in thick, untouched rainforests. They also live where forests mix with scrubland. You might see them near forest clearings or at the edges of forests. They can live high up, even at 2,150 m (7,050 ft) above sea level!
How Do Red-Chested Owlets Behave?
The red-chested owlet is mostly active at night. This means it is a nocturnal animal. But it will sometimes hunt and call during cloudy afternoons. During the day, it rests inside holes in trees.
What Do They Eat?
These owls mainly eat insects. Their favorite snacks include beetles, mantises, grasshoppers, moths, and cockroaches. They also hunt small mammals and birds.
Reproduction and Nesting
We don't know much about how these owls raise their young. Scientists think they might use old nesting holes. These holes are often made by woodpeckers or barbets.
Is the Red-Chested Owlet in Danger?
The IUCN Red List helps us know if animals are safe or in danger. The red-chested owlet is listed as "least concern." This is good news! It means their population is thought to be stable. They also live across a large area.
 | John T. Biggers |
 | Thomas Blackshear |
 | Mark Bradford |
 | Beverly Buchanan |
