Select here to go directly to the main text of the page

World Owl Trust

Sunday July 20th, 2008


Spectacled Owl
Pulsatrix perspicillata
Click on small image to view larger one   Baby Pulsatrix perspicillata
As of February 2005.
Description Largish, earless owl with distinctive white spectacles, on a dark brown facial disk. Dark brown above, yellowish-buff below with broad chocolate coloured chest band and white throat.
Size 41-52cm, 590-980g
Range From S Mexico through Central America, and South America east of Andes to Bolivia and N Argentina.
Habitat Dense tropical and sub-tropical forest, also plantations.
Food Small mammals and birds, also bats, frogs, reptiles and insects.
Breeding April-June, in tree cavity. 2-3 eggs incubated for about 35 days. Young leave nest by 6 weeks (usually only 1 survives) but can remain with parents for up to a year.
Call Deep, descending series of knocking notes becoming faster and weaker towards the end.
Status Not globally threatened, and may be locally common. Extensive deforestation may be effecting this species in some areas.
Comments In the UK captive breeding is managed by a stud book for this species. At the Owl Centre (the WORLD OWL TRUST’s headquarters in Cumbria, UK) we have been so successful at breeding this bird that we now have to try to prevent breeding for the time being, to prevent our blood lines being over represented. Unfortunately most of the birds in the UK are mixed races.
Races The last three races listed are poorly differentiated and may not be valid sub-species.
P.p.perspicillata NW South America to E Peru and Brazil
P.p.saturata S Mexico to N Costa Rica and W Panama
P.p.chapmani E Costa Rica to NW Ecuador
P.p.trinitatis Trinidad
P.p.boliviana Bolivia to N Argentina

  Click on logo to access the Excellence Through People Web site Registered Charity Number: 1055489
Limited Company Number: 5296745		 Positive About Disabled People logo  
BIAZA logo
The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.
EAZA logo

Any comments, errors or problems please contact the webmaster