Jubula lettii
The Maned Owl (*Jubula lettii*) is a medium-sized and exceptionally elusive raptor of the African rainforests, measuring approximately 30-36 cm (12-14 inches) in length. Its plumage is a rich rufous-brown, heavily barred and mottled with darker markings, providing excellent camouflage within its dense arboreal habitat. The most distinctive field marks are its prominent, long, shaggy ear tufts and a unique 'mane' of elongated feathers on the crown and nape, giving it a somewhat crested appeara...
This species primarily inhabits dense, mature lowland tropical rainforests and extensive secondary growth. It is typically found at elevations below 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), occasionally reaching up to 2,000 meters in some montane forest fringes.
Its diet primarily consists of large insects (such as beetles and moths), small mammals (including rodents and bats), and small birds. It employs a typical sit-and-wait foraging strategy, pouncing on unsuspecting prey from a concealed perch.
Strictly nocturnal, the Maned Owl spends its days silently roosting in dense foliage, making it incredibly difficult to detect. It is a sit-and-wait predator, hunting from a hidden perch before swooping down to capture prey on the ground or within the tree canopy. Due to its elusive nature, terri...
The Maned Owl is a resident species with a wide but fragmented distribution across the lowland tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. Its breeding range extends from Liberia and Sierra Leone eastward through Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria. Further into Central Africa, it is found...
Least Concern
- The Maned Owl is considered one of Africa's most enigmatic and least-known owl species, with much of its basic biology still unstudied. - Its distinctive 'mane' of elongated feathers on its crown and nape is a unique feature among owls, giving it its common name. - Despite its wide distribution...