First Band-Bellied Owl (pulsatrix melanota) to be bred in the UK!

We have had a good breeding season this year at the Scottish Owl Centre, with many successes in our breeding programme. Perhaps one of the most exciting owlet hatches to report this year is our Band-Bellied Owlet! This species had never been housed in the UK until they arrived here from Italy last year. They are a truly stunning species, hugely under-studied in the wild so very little is known about them. Since settling in at our Centre, our pair have hatched and successfully reared an equally beautiful little owlet!

The owlet is thriving and recently fledged from the nest-box (once mum and dad allowed it!) out into the aviary and has since been treating staff and visitors alike to glimpses throughout the day.