Fulvous owl

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Fulvous owl

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
Species:
S. fulvescens
Binomial name
Strix fulvescens

The fulvous owl (Strix fulvescens), or Guatemala barred owl, is a resident of the

least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
, although it is considered endangered in Mexico.

Taxonomy and systematics

The fulvous owl is a

superspecies, along with the barred owl and possibly the spotted owl, Strix occidentalis.[4] The fulvous owl is sometimes known as the Guatemalan barred owl.[5]

Description

The fulvous owl is a medium-sized owl with a round head.[3] It lacks the ear tufts found in many other owls.[3] Its length is variously described as between 41 and 44 centimetres (16+1⁄8 and 17+3⁄8 in), between 38 and 48.5 centimetres (15 and 19+1⁄8 in),[6] and between 40.5 and 45 centimetres (16 and 17+3⁄4 in).[7] Measured wing lengths for the species range between 30 and 33.3 centimetres (11+3⁄4 and 13+1⁄8 in), while tail length ranges between 18.5 and 21 centimetres (7+1⁄4 and 8+1⁄4 in), and the bill length between 22.5 and 24.5 millimetres (7⁄8 and 31⁄32 in).[6] Adults weigh approximately 600 grams (21 oz), with females on average being 100 grams (3.5 oz) heavier.[3]

The

secondaries have five or six light brown bands. The underparts of the bird are shades of light brown, with dark brown or reddish-brown streaks. The undertail coverts are buff colored, with some dark streaks on the longest feathers.[6] The bill and the cere are yellowish in color.[3] The legs are covered in reddish-brown feathering till the toes, which are yellowish. The claws are horn-colored with dark tips.[3] The iris is dark brown.[6]

Sexes are alike in the fulvous owl.[6] Chicks are whitish, while juveniles are cinnamon-brown with yellowish or white barring and a brownish facial disc.[6] The species is visually most similar to the barred owl, found in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.[6] The barred owl is more gray above and more white below. The fulvous owl is approximately one-fifth smaller than the Mexican variant of the barred owl.[6] The mottled owl Ciccaba virgata has a similar range as the fulvous owl, but is found only at lower altitudes. It is darker brown and smaller, while the facial disc is dark with a white edge, as opposed to light with a dark edge in the fulvous owl.[6]

Distribution and habitat

The fulvous owl is found in highland regions in the Mexican states of

montane species, it is found at altitudes between 1,200 and 3,100 meters (3,900 and 10,200 ft) above sea level.[1][8] The species is found in montane evergreen pine forests and humid pine-oak forests,[3] and more generally within a cloud forest habitat.[8] The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that the population of the species is between 20,000 and 50,000 individuals, although the population is suspected to be declining as a result of habitat loss. As a result of its large range and substantial population, it is classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN.[1] The species is estimated to have declined by half in Mexico over the last century as a result of habitat loss, and the Mexican government consider it an endangered species.[9] The species was traditionally considered a messenger of death in parts of Mexico.[10]

Behavior and ecology

The call of the fulvous owl is described as a loud barking hoot, rendered as "who-wuhu-woot-woot" or "a'hoo a'hoo-hoo a'hoo, hoo": the number of notes is variable.

nocturnal, though it occasionally calls during the day, and hunts from a perch. Its diet is poorly known.[3][7][12] It likely consists of rodents, large insects, birds, frogs, and lizards.[3][7] The stomach of a dissected specimen was found to contain "large insects". An individual was observed attempting to catch a highland guan, while the feathers of a blue-throated motmot were found below the nest of another.[13]

The fulvous owl does not migrate.[7] Very little information exists about the behavior of this species. It is presumed to be monogamous, as with most owl species.[12] Young of the species have been observed in May. The incubation period is between 28 and 30 days long, and the number of eggs in a clutch varies between two and five, but generally is either two or three. Nests are usually made in holes or cavities in trees.[7][14] Females incubate the eggs, and males are thought to forage for the females and young.[14]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22689097A93218072.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4729-4561-7
    .
  4. ^ a b Sawa, Erin. "Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Systematics". Cornell Ornithology Lab. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  5. ^ Bruce G. Marcot (1995). Owls of old forests of the world. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. p. 54.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Sawa, Erin. "Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Appearance". Cornell Ornithology Lab. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Holt, D.W.; Berkley, R.; Deppe, C.; Enríquez Rocha, P.; Petersen, J.L.; Rangel Salazar, J.L.; Segars, K.P.; Wood, K.L.; Marks, J.S. (2019). "Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens)". In del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d Sawa, Erin. "Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Distribution". Cornell Ornithology Lab. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  9. ^ Sawa, Erin. "Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Conservation". Cornell Ornithology Lab. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  10. PMID 24440438
    .
  11. ^ a b Sawa, Erin. "Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Sounds and Vocal Behavior". Cornell Ornithology Lab. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  12. ^ a b Sawa, Erin. "Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Behavior". Cornell Ornithology Lab. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  13. ^ Sawa, Erin. "Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Diet and Foraging". Cornell Ornithology Lab. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  14. ^ a b Sawa, Erin. "Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Breeding". Cornell Ornithology Lab. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
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