Ciccaba nigrolineata
black-and-white owl

Black-and-white owls are primarily resident birds of Central America (they do not migrate). However, they are also found from central Mexico to northwest Venezuela, to western Ecuador and to the very northwestern part of Peru. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999; Owling.com, 2001)

Black-and-white owls are strictly terrestrial animals. They can be found near villages, forest edges, woodlands, and swamps. They prefer to live in humid to semi-humid evergreen or semi-deciduous forests at various elevations. The preferred elevation ranges between 1200 m in Mexico, to 2100 m in Panama, and 2400 m in Colombia. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999; Owling.com, 2001)

Owls are easily recognizable. Some common features of all owls are: a large round head, an upright stance, huge eyes, a short tail, and feathers so dense that it looks as if the owl has no neck. Black-and-white owls display all these qualities and are also known for the white and black stripes that cover their neck, stomach, and chest. The backside and tails of the owls are also covered in white stripes, though not nearly as many as are found on the abdomen. The face is predominantly black with white speckled brows over dark-brown eyes. The feet and bill are an orange-yellow color. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999; Terres, 1980)

The length of black-and-white owls can range from 33 to 45 cm. On average, females are 25% larger then males, weighing 535 grams, while males weigh approximately 435 grams. Other then the weight variation, the only noticeable difference between the males and females of this species is the longer wingspan of female owls. Overall, it is hard to distinguish between the male and female owls as their color patterns are almost exactly the same. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999; Perrins and Middleton, 1985)

Black-and-white owls do not look similar to many other species. There is only one species that looks the same, black-banded owls (Ciccaba huhula). They look virtually the same as black-and-white owls, except they have white bars across the back of the head instead of being completely black. People often consider the two species to be conspecific. ("The Owl Pages: Information about owls", Date Unknown; Owling.com, 2001)

Black-and-white owls mate only once yearly and are monogamous. They indicate their readiness to mate by giving a hooting mating call. This call sounds similar to "who-who-WHOW-who" and is a very distinct call. Other attempts to attract a mate include the male flashing and flapping his wings and performing acrobatic flights to attract the attention of a female. (Oregon Zoo, 2002)

The male owls are extremely territorial, especially during breeding season. They are known to attack humans when they venture too close to a nest. The males also fend off other owls of the same species (within a 30 to 50 acre area) that would potentially compete for the same supply of food. ("The Owl Pages: Information about owls", Date Unknown; Owling.com, 2001)

Black-and-white owls generally mate between late March and the end of May. The female lays 1 to 2 eggs. Sometimes, if the insect and rodent population size is too small, the female owl may not breed or may lay fewer eggs. Black-and-white owls often use old nests of squirrels, hawks or crows. It takes 15 to 35 days for the eggs to hatch. Within 24 to 52 days, the young learn how to fly and leave the nest. (Perrins and Middleton, 1985)

When the eggs hatch, the male is responsible for retrieving food for the chicks. The mother remains at the nest to protect her young from predators. The chicks are altricial and fledge in 24 to 52 days; they may receive parental care post-fledging. (Owling.com, 2001; Terres, 1980)

Black-and-white owls live much longer in captivity than in the wild. On average, they live 29 years in captivity versus 20 years in the wild. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999)

Black-and-white owls are generally solitary animals. However, they are occasionally spotted in small flocks outside of the breeding season. Owl flocks are called "parliaments". (Oregon Zoo, 2002)

Black-and-white owls are strictly nocturnal and sleep during the day. Extravagant camouflage is unnecessary since the owls hide during the day; their dark stripes and black face help disguise them during the dark nights. (Perrins and Middleton, 1985)

We do not have information on home range for this species at this time.

Communication between black-and-white owls is basic. They use vocal sounds such as hooting and a clicking sound created with the tongue. They also take flight and clap their wings. The flying and clapping can be used both in mating displays and to deter intruders. Black-and-white owls have a unique hooting call. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999)

Black-and-white owls eat mainly insects and small mammals. The insects include dung beetles, domestic cockroaches, long horned grasshoppers, snout beetles, and long horned beetles. The small mammals include bats such as Jamaican fruit-eating bats and rodents such as rice rats (Oryzomys fulvescens). (del Hoyo, et al., 1999; Owling.com, 2001)

Black-and-white owls have amazingly good hearing and vision, as well as powerful claws and beaks. This combined with the ability to fly quietly, gives them the extra advantage needed to catch prey in the night. The owl perches on a branch, and waits for an insect or rodent to pass by before it quickly swoops down and picks it off the forest floor. Sometimes the owls can catch insects and bats in flight. ("The Owl Pages: Information about owls", Date Unknown; Perrins and Middleton, 1985)

There are not very many predators of black-and-white owls, or any owl for that matter. They are very solitary creatures and generally keep to themselves (unless defending their territory). On occasion black-and-white owls have to endure a form of "mobbing". If a large group of small birds spots an owl sleeping during the day, they will team up and attack the owl to get it to leave. The owl will sometimes move to another tree, but will rarely ever retaliate against the mob of birds. ("The Owl Pages: Information about owls", Date Unknown; Perrins and Middleton, 1985)

Black-and-white owls, like any other species of owl, have an impact on the insect and rodent populations in their area. (Terres, 1980)

Aside from controlling the rodent and insect populations, owls have been traded as pets. Black-and-white owls are not one of the most commonly traded spaces due to their scarcity, however, snowy owls are one of the most sought after species for trade. (BBC Newsround, 2001; Terres, 1980)

The pellets that owls regurgitate after eating can be studied to determine the distribution of different rodent species. Owl pellets are composed of regurgitated bones and the fur of animals, neither of which can be digested by the owls. The owls have unknowingly helped scientists incrase their knowledge of rodents. (Terres, 1980)

There are no known adverse affects of black-and-white owls on humans.

Although black-and-white owls are not listed by CITES or the IUCN, they are usually found only in small populations. They are most widely distributed in Mexico and are often quite scarce in many areas, such as Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999)

Owls may not negatively impact humans, but humans definitely have a negative impact on owls. People are constantly tearing down miles of forest that black-and-white owls use for nesting and hunting. The extensive use of pesticides also poses a threat to the health of black-and-white owls. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999)

Black-and-white owls are also known as Strix nigrolineata. It was first placed in the Ciccaba genus because of difference in its external ear structures when compared with species from the genus Strix. However, recent DNA studies have shown that this classification is not necessarily true, therefore Ciccaba nigrolineata and Strix nigrolineata are considered to be synonymous. (del Hoyo, et al., 1999)