2020 Bonanza Bird #22

A Closer Look at the Crested Owl: The Owl with Elegant White Crests

Birdorable Crested Owl

Today’s new species is a very special type of owl with a unique look. The Crested Owl, as the name suggests, is known for the striking long white head crests that adorn its crown. These crests extend upward from what appear to be white "eyebrows," creating an appearance that is both regal and enigmatic. This medium-sized owl is native to the lush wet forests of Central America and South America, where it finds its ideal habitat.

Crested Owls are strictly nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active during the cover of night. Unlike many migratory birds, these owls are year-round residents in their preferred territories. They are known to be highly territorial and tend to stay within their established ranges throughout the year.

Intriguingly, Crested Owls have earned their place in the ecosystem as skilled predators of small vertebrates and insects. Their diet primarily consists of creatures like rodents, frogs, and various invertebrates. With keen night vision and sharp talons, they are well-equipped for hunting in the darkness. These owls use their stealth and precision to swoop down upon unsuspecting prey, making them efficient hunters in their forest domains.

It's worth noting that the Crested Owl displays two primary color morphs. Our Birdorable illustration represents the dark morph of the species. The dark morph typically exhibits rich brown and black plumage, which adds to the owl's mystique. The other color morph, known as the light morph, features lighter plumage but retains the distinctive crests and overall elegance.

Crested Owl
Lophostrix cristata by Joao Quental (CC BY 2.0)

Next time you find yourself wandering through the enchanting rainforests of Central or South America, keep an ear out for the soft hoots of the Crested Owl, and you might just catch a glimpse of this majestic nocturnal hunter.

Tomorrow's new bird is a spotted Old World woodpecker, smaller than its Great cousin. Surely you can guess the species with this easy clue!?

Cute Crested Owl Gifts

Comments

Just Another Birder on December 15, 2020 at 5:59 PM wrote:
YES! I love Crested Owls! Also, my guess for tomorrow's bird is the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Spurwing Plover on May 21, 2022 at 9:29 PM wrote:
In Australia they have the Boobook Owl and the More Pork Owl

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

The Knob-billed Duck: A Polygamous Perching Duck

The Knob-billed Duck is a unique and striking waterfowl species found in tropical wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of south Asia. Closely related to the similar-looking Comb Duck, this large duck is easily recognized by the prominent roundish knob on the bills of males,...

The Calliope Hummingbird: A Tiny Marvel of Nature

As our Hummingbird Week 2024 starts to wind down, we are proud to introduce the smallest breeding bird of North America to our Birdorable family-- it's the Calliope Hummingbird! The Calliope Hummingbird is a marvel in the bird world despite its small size. Named after Calliope, the muse of...

2020 Bonanza Bird #13: Storm's Stork

Today we introduce a rare species of stork: Storm’s Stork. Storm’s Stork is a species found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. They live in tropical forest habitat, where they feed on fish, frogs, and other aquatic prey. Unfortunately this species is considered to...

Swallow-tailed Kites and their Acrobatic Flying Skills

It is a sure sign of spring, here in Florida, when the iconic outline of Swallow-tailed Kites can be seen overhead once again. These graceful black-and-white birds, with their deeply forked tails, breed near the coast from Texas to...