Rusty-barred Owl (Strix hylophila)

Rusty-barred Owl

Subspecies

Genus	Species	subspecies	Region	Range
Strix	hylophila		SA	se

Genus

Members of the genus Strix are the wood owls. They are medium to large owls, having a large, rounded head and no ear-tufts. The comparatively large eyes range from yellow through to dark brown. Colouring is generally designed fro camouflage in woodland, and a number of the member of this genus have colour phases. There are 20 species scattered practically throughout the globe with the exception of Australasia, the South Pacific and Madagascar, where the genus Ninox takes its place. There being no clear generic differences between Strix and Ciccaba genera, and DNA evidence suggesting very close relationships, many authorities now merge the latter into the former.

Physical charateristics

It has a light brown facial disc surrounded with brown circles and with small white eye-brows. Below it is buff with brown barring.

Listen to the sound of Rusty-barred Owl

[audio:https://planetofbirds.com/MASTER/STRIGIFORMES/Strigidae/sounds/Rusty-barred Owl.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto

wingspan min.:	0	cm	wingspan max.:	0	cm
size min.:	34	cm	size max.:	35	cm
incubation min.:	28	days	incubation max.:	29	days
fledging min.:	32	days	fledging max.:	35	days
broods:	1		eggs min.:	2
			eggs max.:	3

Range

South America : Southeast. The Rusty-barred Owl is not very widespread, being found mainly in southern Brazil (where it is also known as the Brazilian Owl) and inland towards Paraguay and the north-easternmost part of Argentina

Habitat

It is found in both lowland and montane forest (to 2000 m). It appears to naturally occur at low densities, and is considered highly sensitive to disturbance

Reproduction

The breeding season for the Rusty-barred Owl is between the months of August and October. It nests in a tree hole. The incubation period is 29 days on average. The young leave the nest five weeks after birth, and become fully independent at approximately four months. Both parents help brooding the young, the male to a lesser extent. Clutch size is 2-3 eggs

Feeding habits

It feeds at night in the canopy on small birds, mammals and insects.

Video Rusty-barred Owl

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd_gvrl0akY

Conservation

This species is classified as Near Threatened because the population is suspected to be declining very rapidly owing to habitat loss.
The Rusty-barred Owl is one of only two members of the Strix family found only in South America. It is, like the other purely South American member of the genus, the Rufous-thighed Owl (Strix rufipes), a very elusive character, probably quite scarce, certainly little studied. Most details of its lifestyle and niche are obscure and it is thought likely that, when sufficient detail is known, these two smallish owls (about 350mm in length) may eventually be removed from the Strix genus and reclassified in a genus of their own.

Migration

Presumed sedentary

Distribution map

Rusty-barred Owl distribution range map

Planet of Birds