From Opus

Photo by Roy Halpin at Shasta Lodge, Ecuador

Ciccaba huhula

[edit] Identification

Slate grey head, white flecked, dark grey banded underparts and tail, dark eyes, yellow beak, yellow legs and feet.

[edit] Distribution

South America east of the Andes from Venezuela to northern Argentina, but not in eastern Brazil.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized, huhula and albomarginata. Has in the past been considered conspecific with Black-and-White Owl but the two have different vocalizations.

[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

Mostly lowland humid forests, but has been recorded to 1100m on Andes foothils. Frequently at forest borders, and sometimes even in coffee and similar plantations.

[edit] Behaviour

Nocturnal, sometimes showing activity at dusk. Spends the day well hidden.

[edit] External Links