Bird

Pearl spotted Owlet Sightings

Glaucidium perlatum

PredatorSeen in 4 parks

Want to know where and when to find Pearl spotted Owlet right now? opspoor tracks live, verified sightings across South Africa's parks.

About the Pearl spotted Owlet

The pearl-spotted owlet is a small, diurnal and crepuscular owl widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. It has a rounded head, prominent yellow eyes and distinctive pale spots across its dark upperparts. Unlike many owls, it is frequently active during daylight and hunts from exposed perches. Its diet includes insects, small birds, rodents, lizards and other small vertebrates. It is often detected by its distinctive repeated calls rather than its small size.

How to identify the Pearl spotted Owlet

Small owl with a rounded head, yellow eyes and a distinctive pair of dark spots resembling false eyes on the back of the head. Brown upperparts are heavily spotted and the underside is pale with dark streaking.

Did you know?

The Pearl-spotted Owlet’s false eye-spots on the back of its head may help confuse or deter potential predators and rival birds.

Also known as: Gevlekte Uiltjie, Owlet, Pearl-spotted Owl

Parks where you can see the Pearl spotted Owlet

Recent Pearl spotted Owlet sightings

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Planning a South Africa safari? opspoor tracks real, verified wildlife sightings like these across the country's parks — logged by people on the ground, not guesswork. It all works with zero signal, too, so a dead zone deep in the bush never costs you a sighting.