From Opus

Photo by jonlowes
Photo taken: Orotina, Costa Rica

Ciccaba nigrolineata

[edit] Identification

33-45cm, females larger. White and black stripes on neck, stomach, and chest, white stripes on back and tails, black face with white speckled brows over dark-brown eyes. The feet and bill are an orange-yellow.

[edit] Distribution

Mexico through Central America to Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and French Guiana.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species which in the past, was considered conspecific with Black-banded Owl.

[edit] Ciccaba vs. Strix

Some authorities (Sibley & Monroe, 1996; IOC 1.6, 2008) retain Mottled Owl (virgata), Black-and-white Owl (nigrolineata), Black-banded Owl (huhula), and Rufous-banded Owl (albitarsis) in the genus Strix. König et al. state that the general morphology and phylogenetic evidence of these four species does not indicate separation from the rest of Strix, and Restall goes on to explain that they were originally separated into the genus Ciccaba based on anatomy of the external ear. While Clements (2007) and Howard & Moore (2003) do recognize Black-and-white Owl and Black-banded Owl as being in Ciccaba, Howard & Moore deviate from Clements and retain Mottled Owl and Rufous-banded Owl in Strix alongside aforementioned authorities. The Opus awaits further clarification.

[edit] Habitat

Always in lowlands, mostly forests but also borders.

[edit] Behaviour

Nocturnal; spends the day high in dense vegetation.

[edit] Breeding

They nest in old nests of squirrels, hawks or crows. 1-2 eggs are laid and incubated for 15 to 35 days.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes insects and small mammals.

[edit] External Links