The pearl-spotted owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) is a small bird of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa.

As part of the genus Glaucidium, or pygmy owls, they are commonly referred to as 'owlets' due to their diminutive size.

Pearl-spotted owlets are brownish and heavily spotted white, with two distinct black false 'eyes' at the back of their head.

Juveniles are similar to adults but the head and back spots may be lacking or much reduced and the false 'face' is very obvious.

[4] They have a distinct call: a loud series of shrill, short whistles that accelerate in tempo and rise in volume to a crescendo of long, loud whistles that descend in pitch and volume, peu peu peu-peu-peu peeuu peeeuu.

[8] They occur in a wide range of woodland and bushveld habitats, especially mopane and open thorn savanna with areas of sparse ground cover.

[7] They roost in relatively open sites below canopies of small bushes or shrubs, staring intently at intruders and readily changing perches if disturbed.

[6] They hunt mostly at night from a low perch, taking prey from the ground below, but sometimes swooping to snatch it from foliage, off nests or in flight.