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TYPICAL OWLS (STRIGIDAE; 14+ SPECIES) Popular worldwide family of
mainly nocturnal raptors, ranging from tiny pygmy owls to very large and spectacular
Spectacled Owl. Plumage of many species very similar (especially screech owls), varying more
with habitat than with species, reflecting a common need to be cryptic at daytime roosts. Many
species distinctive, easy to ID visually, others notoriously similar but vocally distinct. In
addition to songs, all owls have sundry other calls, mainly shrieks, mews, wails, and hisses given
in various contexts, especially when breeding. Many species sing in duets, male song typically
lower-pitched than female.
*NORTHERN MOTTLED OWL Strix virgata 33–38cm. Medium-size owl of
varied wooded and forested habitats, from dry forest and humid forest edge to
town parks, highland oak, mangroves; nocturnal. Roosts low to high, typically
in dense shady foliage; hunts from perches at low to mid-levels at edges of
clearings, other semi-open areas. Note rounded head, dark eyes, voice; averages
darker in wetter regions. Juv. has whitish facial disks, plain buff underparts.
SOUNDS: Song a measured series of (usually 3–6, rarely to 10) deep, overslurred,
slightly emphatic hoots, at a distance may suggest a dog barking; often with
louder notes toward the end before fading with last 1–2 notes, whuúh, whuúh,
WHUÚH, WHUÚH, wuh; typically about 1note/sec, faster when excited. Fairly rapid bouncing-ball
series of about 20 hoots suggests Spectacled Owl, wup wup wup-wup-wupwup..., 5–6 notes/sec. Slurred
wailing scream, about 1 sec. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, to 1500m, locally to 2200m. (Mexico
to nw. Peru.)
BLACK-AND-WHITE OWL Strix nigrolineata 38–41cm. Striking large owl of
humid forest and edge, plantations; nocturnal. Mainly at mid–upper levels, often
in canopy and subcanopy; sometime roosts in rather open situations. Visually
distinctive, with bright yellow bill and feet, black face, barred whitish underparts.
Juv. whitish overall with faint darker barring. SOUNDS: Typical song a slightly na-
sal, 2-note barking, 1st note quiet and inaudible at a distance, 2nd note loud,
emphatic, oh, WOAH! every 15–30 secs. Longer series with quiet last note, hoh-
hoh-hoh-hoh-hoh, HWAOH, hoh. Nasal quality distinct from gruff, resonant hoots
of Northern Mottled Owl. Less often more measured short series hoots, Hóah,
Hóah,.…Wailing scream lower, less shrieky than Northern Mottled. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common
on both slopes, to 1600m. (Mexico to nw. S America.)
CRESTED OWL Lophostrix cristata 38–43cm. Spectacular large owl of humid
forest, adjacent taller second growth, and edge; nocturnal. Calls mainly from
canopy, where can be hard to see, but roosts at low to mid-levels in rather open
but shady understory, often in pairs. Remarkable long bushy crests render ID
straightforward, if you are lucky enough to see this stunning bird; dark and
light morphs frequent, sometimes within pairs. Juv. whitish overall with dark
facial disks, short whitish ear tufts, cf. juv. Spectacled Owl. SOUNDS: Song a
deep, throaty, slightly overslurred growl, with short stuttering introduction
audible at closer range, k’k’k’Króhrrrr, about 1 sec, every 6–15 secs. STATUS: Un-
common to scarce on both slopes, to 1500m. (Mexico to S America.)
SPECTACLED OWL Pulsatrix perspicillata 43–48cm. Spectacular and distinc
tive large owl of humid lowland forest and edge, plantations; nocturnal. Calls
mainly from canopy, but roosts at any level, such as in shady understory whence
may be flushed during day; often hunts at edges, sometimes in adjacent semi-
open habitats. Juv. whitish overall with dark facial disks, lacks whitish ear tufts
of juv. Crested Owl. Some birds have variable dark barring on underparts.
SOUNDS: Song a fairly rapid, pulsating series of usually 6–10 deep hoots,
accelerating then fading, 1–2 secs; cadence suggests a sheet of metal being
flexed quickly, Wuup-wuup-wuupwuup.…Cf. similar but usually longer
variation of Northern Mottled Owl. Deep low whoa, suggesting large pigeon, sometimes given from roost
on dull days. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on both slopes, to 1600m. (Mexico to S America.)
