Description

The red-chested owlet (Glaucidium tephronotum) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. A very small owlet, its facial disc is light grey with whitish markings and short white eyebrows. Its head and neck are dark grey and it has a dusky brown back and wings.

The tail is long with three faint bars, the upper breast and flank are rufous wash, and the rest of the underparts are whitish with the belly sides streaked rufous. The bird's iris and bill are yellow. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List, the conservation status of the red-chested owlet is of "least concern," as the population is believed to be stable and has a sizable range.

Fun Facts

The calls of the thick-billed honeyguide include a repeated "frip" which is similar to the call of the lesser honeyguide but deeper.