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Fulvous Owl

Strix fulvescens

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernVertebratesForestCavity nestLarge · 559 g
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 1
Photo: Tommy Andriollo · CC BY 4.0
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 2
Photo: Tommy Andriollo · CC BY 4.0
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 3
Photo: Abby Darrah · CC BY 4.0
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 4
Photo: Rajan Rao · CC BY 4.0
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 5
Photo: Trevor Van Loon · CC BY 4.0
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 6
Photo: Trevor Van Loon · CC BY 4.0
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 7
Photo: Ryan F. Mandelbaum · CC BY 4.0
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 8
Photo: Ryan F. Mandelbaum · CC BY 4.0
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 9
Photo: Bale & Danielsson; Bannwarth, Th.; Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company; Godman, Frederick Du Cane; Hanhart; Horman-Fisher, Maud; Knight, H.; Mintern Bros.; Purkiss, W.; Salvin, Osbert; Saunders, G. S.; Schlereth, M. v.; Sharp, M. A.; Taylor & Francis; Wilson, Edwin · Public domain
Fulvous Owl (Strix fulvescens), photo 10
Photo: Tommy Andriollo · CC BY 4.0

What the Fulvous Owl sounds like

Sonogram of the Fulvous Owl: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Oliver Komar · Song · Opatoro, Departamento de La Paz, Honduras · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

ID tip

The fulvous owl is a medium-sized owl with a round head. It lacks the ear tufts found in many other owls. 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), and between 40.5 and 45 centimetres (16 and 17+3⁄4 in). 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).

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Fulvous Owl

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 8 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is March, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Fulvous Owl

Regular range

The map shades 4 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Guatemala Mexico Honduras El Salvador

About the Fulvous Owl

The fulvous owl, or Guatemala barred owl, is a resident of the cloud forests of Central America. A medium-sized true owl, it has a round head, lacking ear tufts. Its typical coloration is warm dark brown or reddish brown on the back and lighter brown on the front with darker barring. Adults weigh approximately 600 grams (21 oz), with females being heavier. Its distribution is limited to highland regions of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. It inhabits elevations from 1,200 to 3,100 meters, and is fairly common within its range. Its behavior is poorly known, as are its population size and distribution.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Himalayan Owl (Strix nivicolum) Himalayan OwlStrix nivicolumThe Himalayan owl measures 35–40 cm and has a wingspan of approximately 270mm, classifying it as a medium-sized owl. Rusty-barred Owl (Strix hylophila) Rusty-barred OwlStrix hylophilaThe rusty-barred owl is about 35 cm (14 in) long. Rufous-legged Owl (Strix rufipes) Rufous-legged OwlStrix rufipesThe rufous-legged owl is compact, with a round head and no ear tufts.

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