Crested Owl

Lophostrix cristata (Daudin, 1800)

Crested Owl, Lophostrix cristata, is a resident owl of Middle America and South America, from southern Mexico through Amazonia. It belongs to the family Strigidae and was described by Daudin in 1800. Its most striking feature is the pair of very long pale ear tufts, set against a darker body. It lives in moist lowland and montane forest, especially old growth near water, and also uses undisturbed secondary forest. It is active only at night, and little is recorded about its wider behaviour.

Order

Strigiformes

Family

Strigidae — Owls

Breeding range

Middle America, South America: s Mexico through Amazonia