Mottled Owl

The Mottled Owl is a widespread and adaptable wood owl found from Mexico through Central America and much of South America, occupying tropical forest, forest edges, and even plantations and gardens with sufficient tree cover. Unlike eagle-owls, it lacks ear tufts, giving it a rounded head profile typical of true wood owls in the genus Strix.

Its mottled dark-and-pale brown plumage provides effective camouflage while roosting in dense foliage by day, and its dark eyes and whitish eyebrow markings give it an alert, expressive facial appearance. It is one of the more frequently encountered forest owls across its range due to its tolerance of disturbed and edge habitats.

Its feathers are moderately sized and softly patterned, useful for distinguishing this species from the bolder-patterned Black-and-white Owl found in overlapping parts of its range.

Size and shape

Medium feathers from a bird 30-36 cm long, with broad, rounded flight feathers and no ear-tuft feathers, typical of Strix wood owls.

Color and pattern

• Ground color is a fine mottled mix of dark and pale brown, without bold, contrasting patches.
• Whitish eyebrow markings are present around the face.
• Underparts are buffy, marked with dark streaking and fine barring.
• Shafts are pale brown.

Distinguishing from similar species

Compared to the Black-and-white Owl, which can share habitat, Mottled Owl feathers show a soft, blended brown mottling rather than crisp black-and-white barring, and are overall duller and less strongly patterned.

Adults show fine mottled dark and pale brown upperparts with whitish eyebrow markings, and buffy underparts marked with dark streaking and barring. Sexes look alike. Juveniles are paler and downier with less defined mottling. Molt follows breeding on an annual cycle.

This species is found from Mexico through Central America and much of South America, occupying tropical forest, forest edges, secondary growth, and plantations with adequate tree cover. It is generally resident, tolerating a range of forest disturbance levels.

Mottled Owls hunt insects, small mammals, and other small vertebrates at night from perches within or at the edge of forest. They roost by day in dense foliage, relying on camouflage rather than concealment in cavities. The call is a series of low hoots, often given in a stuttering or accelerating pattern. Nests are placed in tree cavities or old nests of other birds. When identifying a feather, look for fine mottled dark-and-pale brown patterning, whitish eyebrow markings, and buffy, streaked underparts, without any ear-tuft feathers.