Cynometra alexandri, a tropical tree species, dominates but is interspersed with other trees and swamp flora.
The greatest population of this species of owl is in the Cynometra-Manilkara forest, which is less than one-third of the Sokoke forest.
The larvae feed on various trees and shrubs in at least five families of broad-leaved plants, including Cynometra, Heritiera, Mangifera, Terminalia, Rhododendron, Bucida (including Bucida buceras), Canocarpus, Olea, Prunus, Salix and Tamarix species.