General

Stygian Owl: Large, slender owl with black-gray mottled upperparts, thick, indistinct black-gray streaks on breast, rest of underparts white with black streaks and bars. Black-gray facial disk, some white below bill and on front. Long, black and white ear tufts. Eyes yellow, bill black-gray. Long wings, black-gray tail with narrow bars. Bare, gray feet. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Stygian Owl: Found in the highlands of west Mexico, south Mexico, Cuba, Hispaniola, and parts of northern Central America. Also occurs in scattered, small locations in northern South America and across a wide swath of southern Brazil. Habitat includes deciduous forests, evergreen forests, montane pine and pine-oak forests, semi-open areas, and parks. Found from sea level to 3,100 meters.

Breeding and Nesting

Stygian Owl: Two white eggs are laid in an old nest of another bird in a tree or sometimes on the ground, and are incubated by the female for 28 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Stygian Owl: Mostly feeds on birds up to the size of pigeons, but also takes bats, and insects. Assumed to forage at night by flying in to trees to catch roosting birds and bats, may also catch some prey on the wing.

Vocalization

Stygian Owl: Call is a squeaky, high-pitched "PUuh", repeated every 5-10 seconds. Female call is a short "miahh", similar to a cat.

Similar Species

Stygian Owl: Striped Owl is lighter overall, with a light facial, and brown eyes.