The African barred owlet (Glaucidium capense) is a species of small owl in the family Strigidae found in much of southern, central and eastern Africa.

The nominate subspecies is greyish brown above with fine buff bars and a narrow white eyebrow.

The underwing coverts, legs and vent are white, while the flight feathers and tail are brown barred with rufous.

[3] The call of the African barred owlet is a series of single pitched purring notes.

The African barred owlet feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, scorpions and caterpillars which are normally caught following a short flight from a perch.