African Barred Owlet

[Rassie]

African Barred Owlet (Glaucidium capense) captured in a private game reserve adjacent to the northwestern area of Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Nikon D7500 with Nikkor 200-500mm lens.

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[Callie]

Beautiful! Magic sighting!

 

[Ingrid Vekemans Photography]

Haha, that serious, almost angry look, great!
Grt, Ingrid.

 

[Rassie]

Thanks, Ingrid.
This from Wikipedia: " it has been said to have a "cross" expression "

 

[ssheipel]

Why is it angry looking owls are so hilarious looking. Very nice capture on one gorgeous owl; those chest markings!

 

[Rassie]

Thanks, Steven. That's the kind of stern look my late grandfather used to give me.

 

[Alex Becker]

Nice shot of an elusive little owl. I would bet this is actually an African Barred Owlet as opposed to a Pearl-Spotted based on the chest plumage and the tail feathers.

 

[Rassie]

Thanks for the correction, Alex. I do believe you're correct. Our guide at the private game reserve where we visited identified this as a pearl-spotted owlet. Never having seen these before I took him at his word. Looking at images of both owlets on the Internet this seems to clearly be an African Barred Owlet.