| Striped Owl | |
| |
| Names | |
| Common Name: | Striped Owl |
| Scientific Name: | Asio clamator |
| Appearance | |
| Feathers are tawny, white, black, and cream, with cinnamon eyes. | |
| Behavior | |
| Looks similar to the Long-Eared Owl. Has a variety of cries. | |
The Striped Owl is a medium-sized owl with large ear-tufts.
Information[]
Description[]
The Striped Owl is 12-15 in (30–38 cm) long, and weighs 11.3-19.6 oz (320-556 g).
Its head, back, wings, and tail are brown with black stripes. The underparts are buff-colored with black streaking. The facial disk is white with a thin black border.
Its call is a long, strident, hawk-like whistle "wheeyoo".
They fly with shallow rapid wing beats, having shorter, rounder wings than its close relatives.
Ecology[]
It prefers open or semi-open grassland and savannas, open marshland, agricultural land, and wooded suburban areas. It avoids dense forests. It nests in the dense foliage of small trees or shrubs. It's native to much of Central and South America, except the Amazon basin.
Diet[]
They hunt during crepuscular and nocturnal hours. It flies low over open landscape and abruptly dives after its prey. It may also sit on a perch to wait and watch. Its main prey is small mammals (rats, bats, etc.) and birds (sparrows, thrushes, flycatchers, etc.), with the occasional large insects and reptiles. With its long claws, it will go after larger prey (pigeons, opossums, cavies).
Reproduction[]
2-4 eggs are laid on the ground in long grass and dense bushes. They are incubated for approximately 33 days. They are likely preyed on by larger owls and birds of prey.
Trivia[]
- Their species name clamator is Latin for "shouter".
Gallery[]
