Mottled Owl

The Mottled Owl, Strix virgata, presents itself as a medium-sized owl, with a head and back adorned in a mottled tapestry of brown hues, while its underparts are a contrasting whitish tone, elegantly striped with vertical bars on the chest and throat. This owl's eyes are a deep, dark brown, set in a round head devoid of ear tufts, giving it a rather distinguished appearance.

Identification Tips

To identify the Mottled Owl, look for its distinctive mottled brown plumage on the crown, nape, and back. The facial disc is a pale brown, and the throat, breast, and belly are off-white with vertical brown streaks. The large, brown eyes, greyish-yellow or greyish-blue beak, and greyish-yellow legs and feet are also key features. A darker morph exists, characterized by a buff breast and belly.

Habitat

The Mottled Owl is quite adaptable, making its home in a variety of wooded environments. It can be found in rainforests, on the fringes of woodlands, in dry thorn forests, amidst pine/oak woodlands, and even in plantations. It does not shy away from open countryside dotted with trees and is often seen in proximity to human settlements.

Distribution

This owl's domain stretches from Mexico down through Central and South America to the southern reaches of Brazil and Argentina. It is a resident of elevations up to 2,500 meters above sea level.

Behaviour

A creature of the night, the Mottled Owl spends its daylight hours in dense vegetation, often becoming the target of mobbing by diurnal birds. With eyes and ears finely tuned for nocturnal hunting, it perches silently, waiting to swoop down on unsuspecting prey, which may include small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a variety of insects and arthropods, including bats.

Song & Calls

The Mottled Owl communicates through a repertoire of sounds, from territorial hoots to an array of whistles, screeches, and hisses, each serving a purpose in the owl's nocturnal life.

Breeding

Breeding season varies by region, occurring between February and May in Colombia and from September to November in Argentina. The Mottled Owl typically nests in tree cavities but may also use abandoned nests of other species. The female lays one or two white eggs, which she incubates, and both parents are involved in rearing the young.

Similar Species

While there are no specific similar species mentioned, the Mottled Owl's lack of ear tufts and its distinctive mottled plumage with vertical streaks on the underparts can help distinguish it from other owl species in its range.

Diet and Feeding

The Mottled Owl is a skilled hunter, feeding on a diet that includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large insects such as beetles and grasshoppers. It has also been known to prey on bats.

Conservation status

The Mottled Owl is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. With an estimated population ranging from half a million to five million individuals, the species is not currently facing a decline significant enough to warrant a more threatened status.