Spectacled Owl

Pulsatrix perspicillata

The Spectacled Owl, "Pulsatrix perspicillata," is a large tropical owl. It is a resident breeder from southern Mexico and Trinidad, through Central America, south to southern Brazil, Paraguay and northwestern Argentina. There are six subspecies.
Spectacled Owl Yesterday was very cold and very wet, making for challenging birding. The weather cleared in the afternoon and I went out exploring. The birding was very slow, but as I was making my way back to the entrance, I heard the resident Spectacled Owls calling. I went back into the area they like to roost in and did some playback. The pair of owls came and then proceeded to serenade me with the calls for a whole hour, as close as 10 meters away as they basked in the afternoon sun. Costa Rica,Geotagged,Pulsatrix perspicillata,Spectacled Owl

Appearance

The Spectacled Owl is 46 cm long and weighs 850 g. It is unmistakable with brown upperparts, head and upper breast, white facial markings and buff underparts. The eyes are yellow and the beak is pale. The juvenile is even more distinctive than the adult, being completely white apart from a chocolate brown facial disc.
Spectacled Owl Closeup of the face of a spectacled owl, Belize Belize,Birds,Owl,Spectacled Owl

Naming

The following subspecies are currently recognized:
⤷  "Pulsatrix perspicillata boliviana" L. Kelso, 1933
⤷  "Pulsatrix perspicillata chapmani" Griscom, 1932
⤷  Pulsatrix perspicillata perspicillata
⤷  "Pulsatrix perspicillata pulsatrix"
⤷  "Pulsatrix perspicillata saturata" Ridgway, 1914
⤷  "Pulsatrix perspicillata trinitatis" Bangs & T. E. Penard, 1918
Spectacled Owl - Pulsatrix perspicillata Part of a raptor exhibit during Schotse Dagen in Ooidonk, Aug 2013. Belgium,Geotagged,Pulsatrix perspicillata,Spectacled Owl,Summer

Distribution

The Spectacled Owl is found in Mexico, Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and South America.
The spectacled owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) Geotagged,Pulsatrix perspicillata,Spectacled Owl,United States,Winter

Behavior

The Spectacled Owl is a nocturnal species of mature forests. It nests in an unlined tree cavity, laying two white eggs. It preys on mammals, even the much larger three-toed sloth, large insects, and birds, including smaller owls. The call is a deep hooting "BOO Boo boo boo boo" becoming softer and faster.

References:

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Status: Least concern
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAves
OrderStrigiformes
FamilyStrigidae
GenusPulsatrix
SpeciesP. perspicillata
Photographed in
Belgium
Belize
Costa Rica
United States of America