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. |
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. |
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.
|
Fascinating
Facts
- Spectacled
owls are the largest of the New World tropical owls that
inhabit the rain forest!
- Many
people falsely believe that owls can't see during the
day or that being out in the sun is harmful to them!
- Although
the retina of their eyes is densely packed with rod cells
that help them see in dim light, owls can also see well in
daylight. Owls can adjust their pupils to limit the light
entering their eyes and striking their sensitive retina!
|
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.
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.
More References
*
Taxonomic classification varies between references. Classification
information used in this fact sheet was taken from “A Complete Checklist of the Birds of the
World,” written by Richard Howard and Alick Moore. Second
Edition, 1991. |
