ID Keys: Brownish overall, vertical barring on throat and chest,
dark eyes, no ear tufts
The
Mottled Owl is an owl of the American tropics, and are found in much of
Mexico, Central America, and South America. The species is quite
adaptable and can be found in a variety of forested habitats. The
species was unknown in the United States until 1983, when a road-killed owl
was found in Texas.
Habitat
Mottled Owls are found in a variety of
forested habitats, from dry scrubland forest, to humid tropic forest.
Diet
Feeds on a variety of small animals,
including large insects, rodents and other small mammals, lizards, snakes,
birds, frogs, and amphibians.
Behavior
Nocturnal. Mottled Owls often
hunts by observing from a perch, typically on a tree branch at the edge of a
forest clearing. When prey is spotted, the Mottled Owl will swoop down
and grab it with the talons. They can also catch prey in flight, most
often, large insects, but they also occasionally will take a bird in flight.
Nesting
The nest of a Mottled Owl is most often a
tree cavity, but also could be in nest of another bird, or on the top of a
broken tree. Pairs mate for life, although males will sometimes have
two female "mates". Two eggs are typically laid, with both
parents helping to raise the young.
Song
Variety of calls, will often respond to
calls of other owl species as well.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident
throughout its range.
