Búho Crestado
Crested Owl
Lophostrix cristata
Song
Crested Owl
Appearance: Medium-sized owl. Brownish upper parts with a mix of buff and white streaking; lower parts are lighter with barring. Darker overall with a more uniform brown color. Long, prominent ear tufts, giving the appearance of a "crest," and a facial disk bordered by white and black. Dark brown, contrasting with the facial disk.
Habitat: Prefers dense, humid lowland forests. Found primarily in the Amazon Basin and along the Pacific coast. Often inhabits primary rainforests but can also be found in secondary forests and edges.
Behavior: Active mostly at night, making them difficult to spot during the day. Feeds primarily on insects and small vertebrates, such as frogs and small mammals. They hunt from a perch, swooping down to capture prey. Known for their eerie, high-pitched calls, which can sound like a shriek or a series of whistles. These calls are often used to communicate with mates or to establish territory.
Breeding: Likely nests in tree cavities or on broken stubs of trees, although detailed nesting habits are not well-documented. Typically lays 1-2 eggs. Both parents are involved in raising the young, with the female primarily responsible for incubation.
Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Distribution
Amazon Region: The Crested Owl is quite prevalent in the humid rainforests of the Amazon Basin. This area provides suitable habitat with its dense, primary forests and relatively undisturbed environment.
Pacific Region: Found along the Pacific coast, particularly in the Chocó Biogeographic area. This region is known for its high levels of biodiversity and heavy rainfall, creating an ideal habitat for the Crested Owl in both primary and secondary forests.
Orinoquía Region (Eastern Plains): Although less common, it can also be found in parts of this region, especially in forested areas near water bodies and gallery forests, which provide the necessary cover.
Taxonomy
The Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Strigiformes
- Family: Strigidae
- Genus: Lophostrix cristata
- Species: Lophostrix cristata
Vocalization
Primary Call: The most common call is a series of high-pitched, eerie whistles. The calls typically sound like a drawn-out "kreeeeee," often repeated several times. These whistles can sometimes have a slightly shrill quality and may vary in pitch.
Communication Calls: They may produce softer, less intense calls to communicate with mates or young within their territory. These can include gentle hoots or short whistles.
Territory and Alarm Calls: When feeling threatened or during disputes over territory, they might emit a more agitated series of calls. These can consist of faster whistles or more abrupt clicking sounds.
Purpose
Mating and Pair Bonding: Calls are crucial during the breeding season for attracting mates and strengthening pair bonds.
Territorial Defense: Vocalizations serve to establish and maintain territory boundaries, deterring intruders.
Parent-Offspring Communication: Parents use specific calls to communicate with their chicks, especially when teaching them to hunt or during feeding.
Alarm: Vocalizations can alert others to potential threats or disturbances in the area.
