Spectacled Owl
(Pulsatrix perspicillata)
Classification
and Range
Spectacled owls, along with two other species,
belong to the genus Pulsatrix, which is part of the family
Strigidae or “typical” owls. The owls in
the genus Pulsatrix are large, have stout beaks, strong
feet and dark faces outlined by light feathers. The range
of the spectacled owl reaches from southern Mexico, south
to Paraguay, southern Brazil and northern Argentina.
Habitat
They occupy a variety of habitats from thick, humid rain forests
and mangroves, to open woodlands. Spectacled owls have been
observed at elevations up to 4,000 feet (1,220 m), but they
predominately live at lower elevations.
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Physical Characteristics
The spectacled owl stands approximately 17-19 inches (43-48 cm) tall and weighs
21-33 ounces (590-950 g). As with most raptors, the female is larger
than the male. These large owls have dark heads and backs and buff-colored
fronts. They have no ear-tufts. Spectacled owls have an unmistakable
face pattern. Light circles around their yellow eyes give them the appearance
of wearing glasses or spectacles; this accounts for their name. Juveniles
are even more striking, often called “white owls” by local
populations. Juveniles have white heads and bodies, dark brown wings
and brown to black facial masks.
Life Span
Up to 25 years in captivity.
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Range Map |
Diet
In the wild: Spectacled owls prey on insects, tree frogs, reptiles, birds,
small mammals and even crabs. At times they will tackle skunks and opossums.
At
the zoo: Mice, rats, coturnix quail and occasionally insects.
Reproduction
Nesting
can occur from January to August. Spectacled owls are cavity
nesters, seeking out holes in trees
to nest. Clutch size is normally two white eggs, with incubation
lasting about 36 days. Approximately six to eight weeks after
they hatch, fledglings are ready to take their first flight.
Life
Cycle
Both parents continue to take care of their young after
they leave the nest. In captivity, juveniles have taken up to five years to
acquire adult plumage. It is likely that young assume adult plumage sooner
in the wild. Usually roosting by day on a branch, or nesting in a large cavity
high in a tree, a spectacled owl is predominately a nocturnal hunter.
Calls
of the Wild
The spectacled owl has a variety of distinct calls in the wild. Both
sexes utter a rapid series of about seven low-pitched, short, rattling
hoots sounding like hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo. Some who have listened
to this call have remarked that it sounds something like a woodpecker's
tapping. Another call used during flight is a short “whistle” that
sounds like wer, which is often repeated about every 10 seconds. When
the spectacled owl is alarmed, it may produce three or four descending
low hoots that sound something like a growl. Juveniles produce more
of a raspy call, “kweew.” The spectacled owl appears to
be especially vocal on moonlit nights.
Location
at the Zoo
A spectacled owl can be seen at the Raptor Center. Other birds that can be viewed
at the Raptor Center include the bald eagle, gyrfalcon, Harris’s hawk,
turkey vulture and barred owl. Additionally, owls can be seen in the zoo’s
Temperate Forest bioclimatic zone; a great gray or spotted owl adjacent to Bug
World and a barn owl at the Family Farm. The zoo’s Eagle Release Program
has rehabilitated and released back into the wild more than 80 eagles, plus other
raptor species.
Conservation
Connection
Due to its elusive behavior and dense forest habitat, little is known about this
species. Spectacled owls are thought to be fairly common where their tropical
forest habitat remains. But as tropical forests continue to disappear, the spectacled
owl will be at greater risk of endangerment. Although spectacled owls seem to
be somewhat tolerant of deforestation, and can be found in drier woods and cultivated
areas, they do need wooded areas for successful nesting.
Woodland
Park Zoo along with other Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA)
institutions, has participated
in a captive-breeding project for this species. Breeding records,
kept in a studbook, are used to ensure that the captive population stays genetically
healthy. Woodland Park Zoo has experienced great success in breeding spectacled
owls.
Many
raptor species are in danger. Human-caused changes in land use are
escalating, and this affects the habitats and migratory corridors required
by some raptors
for survival. Vast forests are removed for timber and other paper products,
and industrial emissions pollute water and air resources. Critical shoreline
and
riparian zone habitats are rapidly converted by expanding human communities
and agricultural needs. Shooting and trapping are also lowering raptor numbers.
It’s
only a matter of time until more raptor species may face extinction, unless
we take measures to protect their habitats.
Humans
need raptors. Here are only a few of the benefits raptors provide:
- Raptors
help keep animal populations in balance.
- Raptors
consume many animals that humans consider as pests, including mice,
rats and destructive species of insects. This helps to control disease
and damage to crops.
- As top
predators of their food chain, raptors are an indicator species of
the overall health of the ecosystem in which they live.
- Of equal
importance, witnessing wild raptors enriches each of our lives. Imagine
what life would be like if we could no longer hear the haunting evening
call of the owl.
How
You Can Help!
Efforts to save threatened and endangered raptors require cooperation and support
at international, national, regional and individual levels. You can help in
this cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation
organizations of your choice. Recycle forest products. Eliminate or reduce
pesticide use. Support breeding programs for endangered birds of prey at zoos
and other animal care organizations.
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to
find ways you can support conservation programs at the zoo. Discover more about
raptors by contacting the Peregrine Fund at their Web site www.peregrinefund.org.
Learn other ways you can help conserve wildlife and their habitats by visiting
our How You Can Help page.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Toops, Connie. 1990. The Enchanting Owl. Voyageur Press, Inc., Stillwater,
MN. 127 p.
For Kids!
Jarvis, Kila and Denver W. Holt. 1996. Owls: Whoo Are They? Mountain
Press Publishing Company, Missoula, MT. 59 p.
Zoobooks. 1992. Owls. Wildlife Education, Ltd., San Diego, CA. 17 p.
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