THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE AFRICAN SCOPS OWL

Abstract

Summary Brown, C. J., Riekert, B. R. & Morsbach R. J. 1987. The breeding biology of the African Scops owl. Ostrich 58: 58–64. The incubation and nestling periods of two pairs of African Scops Owls Otus senegalensis breeding in nesting boxes in the Daan Viljoen Game Park near Windhoek were studied. The incubation and nesting periods were about 22 ± 2 days and 25–28 days respectively. Incubation and brooding was by the female. The male provided all the food during the incubation period, but by the end of the nestling period 30% of food was brought by the female. The growth of the nestlings, parental behaviour and foraging methods are describe2 Of 100 food items brought to the nests, 93% (by number) consisted of arthropods, 6% reptiles and 1% small mammals.