Desert Owl

Overview

The desert owl, also known as the desert tawny owl or Strix hadorami, is a medium-sized owl species that is closely related to the tawny owl. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List and is largely nocturnal and sedentary.

Identification

• Stocky body with a round head that recalls a smaller, paler version of the tawny owl.
• Less streaked plumage, particularly on the underparts, featuring yellow eyes.
• A vocal call consisting of a hoooo-ho-ho-ho-ho rhythm similar to that of the Eurasian collared dove, with males producing a distinct call and females a deeper, less distinct one.

Habitat

The desert owl breeds in Israel, northeast Egypt, Jordan, and the Arabian Peninsula. It inhabits deserts, semi-deserts, rocky ravines, and palm groves, typically nesting in crevices and holes in cliffs.

Diet

This species feeds on voles, mice, and large insects.

Did you know?

For over a century, the species was known by the scientific name Strix butleri, but a 2015 study revealed that the original holotype was actually an Omani owl, prompting the renaming of the widespread species to Strix hadorami in honour of the Israeli ornithologist Hadoram Shirihai.