Changes

==Description==

==Description==

The only recorded physical description of a Congo bay owl was taken of a female netted in a grassland in the Itombwe Forest in 1951.  They are believed to be up to 12 inches in total length.  Coloration is a chestnut brown above, with lighter tan to white on the chest, with both upper and lower feathers marked by sparsely-placed black spots.  Like their relatives the [[barn owl]]s, Congo bay owls bear a heart-shaped facial disk, but with a less-pronounced "forehead" of feathers jutting down to the beak than in other bay owls; in fact, some researchers believe that it should be placed along with the barn owls in the genus ''Tyto''<ref>http://www.hbw.com/species/congo-bay-owl-phodilus-prigoginei</ref>.

The only recorded physical description of a Congo bay owl was taken of a female netted in a grassland in the Itombwe Forest in 1951.  They are believed to be up to 12 inches in total length.  Coloration is a chestnut brown above, with lighter tan to white on the chest, with both upper and lower feathers marked by sparsely-placed black spots.  Like their relatives the [[barn owl]]s, Congo bay owls bear a heart-shaped facial disk, but with a less-pronounced "forehead" of feathers jutting down to the beak than in other bay owls; in fact, some researchers believe that it should be placed along with the barn owls in the genus ''Tyto''.<ref>http://www.hbw.com/species/congo-bay-owl-phodilus-prigoginei</ref>

Congo bay owls are little known due to their scarcity and elusiveness.  Based on habits of other bay owls, researchers believe them to be completely nocturnal, spending their days hidden in the trees.  At night the birds are active, hunting small rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, and insects.  Their reproductive and nesting habits are unknown.

Congo bay owls are little known due to their scarcity and elusiveness.  Based on habits of other bay owls, researchers believe them to be completely nocturnal, spending their days hidden in the trees.  At night the birds are active, hunting small rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, and insects.  Their reproductive and nesting habits are unknown.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Owls]][[Category:Barn Owls]]

[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Owls]][[Category:Barn Owls]]