Spotted Eagle-Owl

Found across a wide range of open and semi-open habitats — from rocky hillsides and woodland edges to suburban gardens and scrubby savanna — this medium-sized owl spends much of the night hunting on or near the ground, pouncing on insects, small rodents, and lizards with deliberate, low flights. Listen after dark for its distinctive two-note hoot, a deep *hu-hoooo* often repeated from a prominent perch such as a fence post, rooftop, or bare tree branch, and scan with a torch for the bright orange-red eyeshine that gives away a roosting or hunting bird. The best sightings come in the first two hours after sunset, particularly during the dry season when vegetation is low and prey movement is easier to detect; roadsides and open tracks through bush country are reliable spots, as individuals frequently hunt along verges and are relatively unfazed by slow-moving vehicles.