Strix virgata
mottled owl

Strix virgata is widely distributed throughout the Nearctic and Neotropics, from northern Mexico to Brazil and Argentina. ("Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds", 1999)

Inhabiting elevations between sea level and 2500 meters, mottled owls are often quite abundant within their range. Their habitats are extensive and diverse; they can live in a wide variety of forest and thicket edge, tropical rainforest, dry thorn forest, tropical lowland forest, pine-oak woodland, and humid evergreen jungle. They can also live in areas with scattered trees, often close to towns and villages. ("Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds", 1999)

Strix virgata individuals are medium-sized owls with brown eyes. They are mostly dark except for light brown facial markings. Mottled owls have yellow-grey to blue-grey bills and their toes are greyish-yellow. Their dorsal markings are much less noticeable than the vertical streaks on their chest and throat. They look larger than they are because of their thick feathers. ("Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds", 1999; The British Ornithologists' Union, 1985)

In owls, females are generally larger than the males. This evolution of a reversed size dimorphism has been explained in many different ways. Researchers measure body mass during the breeding season, wing length, tail length, bill length, tarsal length, and foot span. Female mottled owls weighed significantly more than males and have significantly longer wing chords. Strix virgata has the most noticable dimorphism yet documented among owls. (Gerhardt and Gerhardt, 1987)

There is no information available regarding the lifespan of this species.

Mottled owls are solitary and strictly nocturnal. They roost in dense foliage by day and may be mobbed by small birds if detected. These owls spend their waking hours hunting, preening, yawning, stretching, and combing their heads with their claws. ("Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds", 1999)

Home Range

The home range of male S. virgata is 2.8 hectares. (Gerhardt, Gerhardt, and Flatten, 1994)

This species uses an array of vocalizations, such as hoots, whistles, screeches, screams, purrs, snorts, chitters, and hisses. When a mottled owl hoots, it is often territorial and associated with courting. The males have a lower pitched hoot than females. When faced with a threat, owls produce clicking noises with their tongues. As part of a mating display, owls have the ability to clap their wings in flight. (Gerhardt, 1991)

Mottled owls produce an array of calls. Their territorial call consists of a series of deep hoots, sounding like "bru bru" and "bu bu bu" or cowooawoo or keeooweeyo. They also have a whistled screech. Mottled owls have been observed to have an enlarged voice box which allows them to produce low-pitched notes for their size. (Gerhardt, 1991)

Owls have keen hearing and vision in low-light situations. They lack color vision.

Strix virgata individuals feed on a diverse diet including large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and cockroaches. They also feed on small mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, salamanders, and frogs. They are considered opportunistic feeders as they may be attracted to artificial lights. Mottled owls primarily hunt from perches which can be found along a forest edge. ("Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds", 1999)

Mottled owls have keen vision, hearing, and maneuverable flight, contributing to their success as predators. Although they lack color vision, these owls can rotate their heads to see in different directions. These owls also have sensitive ears that allow them to pinpoint sound sources in total darkness. Still, their ranges of hearing are not wide and contain deaf spots. Their wing feathers have adapted to dampen sound during flight, so they can approach their prey without being heard.

Owls are at the top of the food web. They have no major predators. (Birds of Prey Foundation, 2004; Owl Pages, 2005)

This species is a generalist predator, and potentially impacts many prey populations. ("Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds", 1999)

There are no known adverse affects of Strix virgata on humans.

Mottled owls have been studied by scientists and research has been published on their breeding behavior. They also help control some rodent and insect pest populations. ("Journal of Field Ornithology", 1994; Buchanan, 1971; Gerhardt, 1991; Gerhardt, Gerhardt, and Flatten, 1994; Wylie, 1976)

This widespread species is not globally threatened. Strix virgata are considered common in many habitats and can be seen largely in protected areas. ("Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds", 1999)