Spectacled Owl - Pulsatrix perspicillata
Calls - Pulsatrix perspicillata
[For help with terms used in the description, see parts of an owl. For general characteristics common to most owl species, see owl physiology.]
Description: Spectacled Owls are dark brown with a whitish
to yellow-ochre belly, a white patch on the front of the neck and a dark brown belt across
the breast. White "spectacles" around their yellow eyes give them their name.
A juvenile has the adult markings in reverse - a white head with black mask, and may take
several years from hatching to attain full adult plumage.
Habits: An unsociable bird. Generally nocturnal, with activity normally begining after dusk and continuing to dawn. Roosts singly by day in trees with dense foliage. Most vocal on calm, moonlit nights.
Size: Length 43-46cm (17-18").
Weight males 453-680g
(16-24oz), females 680-906g (24-32oz)
Voice: A series of knocking or tapping sounds with a poping
effect "PUP-pup-pup-pup-po", each
successive note being lower and weaker, and the rhythm quicker as the series progresses.
The Female also has a hawk-like scream "ker-WHEEER", which has been
likened to a steam whistle.
Hunting & Food: Spectacled Owls eat small mammals including mice and the occasional possum or skunk, insects, spiders, many Caterpillars, bats,
birds up to the size of Jays, crabs and frogs.
They use a branch to perch on and scan the surrounding area. When prey is located, they
drop with a swift pounce. Insects are snatched from foliage.
Breeding: In Costa Rica, eggs are laid in the dry season, or at
the start of the wet season. Spectacled Owls nest in tree hollows and lay 1-2 eggs, which are incubated by the female for about 5 weeks. Chicks
leave the nest for surrounding branches at about 5-6 weeks, well before they can fly, but depend on their
parents for up to a year once fledged. Often, only one chick will survive.
Habitat: Occurs more frequently in dense tropical rainforest with mature, large trees, including forest edges. Also found in dry forest, treed savannah habitat, plantations and open areas with scattered trees.
Distribution: Mexico, Central America, Northern two-thirds of
South America.
Distribution of the Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata
Status: Generally uncommon, but locally common in areas such as Costa Rica, Colombia and the Amazon.
Original Description: Latham, John. 1790. Index orntihologicus, sive Systema ornithologiae; complectens avium divisionem in classes, ordines, genera, species, ipsarumque varietates: adjectis synonymis, locis, descriptionibus, &c. (Index Orn.) 1: p 58.
Subspecies:
P. p. perspicillata,
P. p. boliviana,
P. p. chapmani,
P. p. saturata,
P. p. trinitatis
References:
Page Information:
Page compiled by Deane P. Lewis. Page last updated 2012-08-13
OwlPages.com Owl Species ID: 170.010.000
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Typical Call
