
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Ptilopsis leucotis
A small owl with a stark white face rimmed in black, large orange-yellow eyes and long ear tufts. It is highly strung and, when alarmed, compresses its plumage to mimic a broken branch.
The northern white-faced owl (Ptilopsis leucotis) occupies a band across Africa between the Sahara and the Equator. It is 19-24 cm long, with a stark white face sharply rimmed in black, large orange-yellow eyes and long ear tufts, which is why it was long called the white-faced scops-owl - a name that formerly covered the southern white-faced owl (P. granti) as well, when the two were treated as one species. Its most striking trait is a graded defensive response: faced with a predator of its own size it flares its wings to look larger, while faced with something far bigger, such as an eagle, it draws its feathers in, elongates its body and narrows its eyes to slits, mimicking a broken branch. This concealing posture, known by the German term Tarnstellung, is shared with relatives such as the African scops owl. The bird is bold in manner but timid and highly strung, and deaths from stress in captivity have been reported, so the concealing posture - a last resort when the bird feels cornered - should never be provoked deliberately.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Northern White-faced Owl lives 10-15 years.
The Northern White-faced Owl grows to 19-24cm.
Origin
Africa, in a band between the Sahara and the Equator
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
19-24cm
Sources: Wikipedia - Northern white-faced owl / Wikipedia - Northern white-faced owl, Japanese edition (morphology, behaviour)
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Ptilopsis leucotis (Temminck, 1820)
Synonyms: Otus leucotis
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Ptilopsis leucotis. The order Strigiformes is listed in CITES Appendix II except for species placed in Appendix I, so this species is Appendix II and international trade requires an export permit. It is not among Japan's designated dangerous animals.
Sources: CITES Appendices (Appendix II) / IUCN Red List / Cabinet Order under the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, appended table (designated dangerous animals)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Temperature
15〜30℃
Humidity
40〜60%
Frozen mice, day-old chicks and quail; in the wild mainly large insects
Being highly strung, it needs an aviary in a quiet place with little traffic, furnished with perches and planting it can hide among, and enough space to spare the ear tufts and flight feathers.
Bold in manner but timid and very highly strung; deaths from stress in captivity have been reported. The thin concealing posture is a last resort when the bird feels cornered and must never be provoked for display.
It hoots at night with a distinctive two-note call, quite unlike the fast bubbling series of the southern species. Being nocturnal, its night calling is the practical constraint on keeping it.
Listed on CITES Appendix II, so import requires an export permit. As a nocturnal, nervous bird it should not be handled frequently by day or stimulated for photographs.
Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.
The average lifespan of Northern White-faced Owl is 10-15 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Northern White-faced Owl typically reaches 19-24cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Northern White-faced Owl feeds on: Frozen mice, day-old chicks and quail; in the wild mainly large insects. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Northern White-faced Owl varies significantly depending on variety, age, sex, and the individual animal's condition. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026