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With a length of approximately 16", the Stygian Owl is a moderately large member of the genus Asio, which also includes species such as the Long-eared Owl and Short-eared Owl. Like the Long-eared Owl, it has long "ear" tufts and bright yellow eyes. Stygian Owls are dark brown above and mottled with white and pale brown below. The range of the Stygian Owl
extends from Mexico and Central America as far as the southern parts
of Brazil. On rare occasions it has been seen as far north as
Texas. The race found on Hispaniola is considered a distinct
subspecies, Asio stygius noctipeteus. The Stygian Owl
prefers forests and semi-open landscapes and tends to be strictly
nocturnal, hunting bats and other small mammals, birds, and insects.
It usually breeds in the abandoned nests of larger birds, with two
eggs being an average clutch. |
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