One of the most striking and mysterious owls of the tropical Americas. Native to Central and South America, from southern Mexico down through Brazil and Bolivia, this large, powerful owl lives mainly in dense rainforests, forest edges, and sometimes plantations, where it can blend into the shadows and hunt under the cover of darkness.
Their overall plumage is dark brown on the back and head, while the chest and belly are usually a pale buff or cream color. The signature “spectacles” — white feathers around the eyes connected by a band across the forehead — stand out against their darker face, giving them an alert, wise expression. Their bright yellow eyes add even more to their intense look. Interestingly, juveniles look completely different, with pure white plumage and a dark facial mask, making them easy to distinguish from adults.
Spectacled owls are mainly nocturnal, preferring to hunt at night, although they can sometimes be active at dusk or early morning. They are ambush predators, sitting still and silent on a perch before swooping down to capture prey. Their diet is varied and includes small mammals like rodents, bats, insects, lizards, and even small birds. Their flight is nearly silent, a typical trait among owls, allowing them to sneak up on prey without being heard. They are strong hunters but patient ones, spending long periods quietly observing before making their move.
The spectacled owl has a very deep, booming call, often described as a rhythmic “BOO boo-boo-boo” sound. This call can echo through the forest for great distances and is so powerful that it sometimes sounds like it belongs to a much larger animal. Both males and females call, and during the breeding season, they may duet, with the female producing slightly higher-pitched notes.
Distribution
Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
VenezuelaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
