Glaucidium perlatum
Pearl-spotted Owlet
A small, cinnamon-brown owl covered in white spots, with yellow eyes and a pair of black false 'eye' markings on the back of its head. A diurnal-active owl of open woodland and savanna, found across The Gambia.
Identification
White spots (not bars) on the crown are diagnostic; the false eye-spots on the nape help distinguish it from the larger African Barred Owlet, which has barring rather than spots and lacks the false eyes. Often located by its distinctive whistled call, given even in daylight.
Want to see the Pearl-spotted Owlet?
Join Yaya on a trip to one of the sites below, or ask about an itinerary built around it — he'll help you plan the best way to find it in the field.
Where to find it
Western Region, coastal Gambia, near Brufut village (a short drive from the Kotu/Kololi/Senegambia resort area)
Brufut Woods (also known as Brufut Forest or the Brufut Woods Nature Trail) is a small community-managed patch of coastal woodland and forest on the edge of Brufut village, easily reached from the coastal resort area. It's one of the best-known sites in the country for owls and for the Long-tailed Nightjar, and is popular with visiting birders for its mix of dense forest, open woodland, scrub and grassy clearings along a network of trails.
Tours that target this bird
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
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A comprehensive birding, wildlife and nature tour combining the finest habitats of The Gambia with Northern Senegal's Saloum Delta — coastal wetlands, mangroves, woodland, rice fields, savannah and riverine forest, plus a boat excursion to the Scissor-tailed Kite colony at Kousmar.
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