Crested Owl

The Crested Owl is a distinctive owl of lowland tropical rainforest across Central and South America, easily recognized by its long, prominent whitish ear tufts, longer and more conspicuous than those of most other Neotropical owls. Its overall dark brown plumage contrasts strongly with these pale crest feathers and a bold white eyebrow stripe.

It remains hidden in dense forest canopy by day, relying on its dark coloration and stillness for camouflage, and becomes active at night to hunt within the forest interior. Pairs are generally sedentary, occupying the same territory for extended periods.

Its long crest feathers, when found separately, are one of the more distinctive owl feather types in Neotropical forests, differing markedly from the shorter, less conspicuous ear tufts of most other regional species.

Size and shape

Large feathers from a bird 38-46 cm long, notable for the unusually long ear-tuft feathers, which can be considerably longer than those of most other Neotropical owls.

Color and pattern

• Body plumage is rich dark brown overall, relatively uniform with subtle fine mottling.
• The ear-tuft feathers are whitish to pale buff, long and narrow, standing out sharply against the dark head.
• A bold white eyebrow stripe runs above each eye.
• Shafts are dark brown on body feathers and pale on the crest feathers.

Distinguishing from similar species

Compared to the Spectacled Owl, which shares its rainforest range, Crested Owl feathers are more uniformly dark brown overall rather than showing the sharply demarcated hood-and-belly pattern of the Spectacled Owl, and are readily distinguished by the unusually long whitish ear-tuft feathers, which the Spectacled Owl lacks.

Adults are rich dark brown overall, with long, narrow whitish to pale buff ear-tuft feathers and a bold white eyebrow stripe. Two color forms are recognized, one darker and one paler, differing subtly in overall tone. Sexes look alike. Juveniles are paler and downier, with less developed crest feathers. Molt follows breeding on an annual cycle.

This species is found from southern Mexico through Central America and into northern and central South America, favoring lowland tropical rainforest, particularly areas with dense understorey and tall trees for roosting. It is resident, with pairs holding stable forest territories.

Crested Owls hunt insects and small vertebrates within the forest interior at night, remaining still and camouflaged in dense foliage during the day. The call is a low, guttural growling or grunting series of notes, quite different from typical hoots. Nests are placed in tree cavities or on the top of stumps. When identifying a feather, look for rich dark brown body plumage combined with unusually long, narrow, whitish ear-tuft feathers, a combination distinctive among Neotropical forest owls.