Striped Owl

The Striped Owl is found across open grassland, savanna, and forest edge habitats from Mexico south through Central America into much of South America. It is one of the more boldly patterned Asio owls, with a striking buff and dark-streaked plumage that stands out compared to plainer relatives of open country.

It is a ground and low-perch hunter, often seen at dusk flying low over open fields or perched on fence posts and low branches.

Its strongly streaked buff feathers combined with long ear tufts make it fairly distinctive among owls sharing open habitat across its Latin American range.

Shape and Size

Flight feathers are moderate to fairly large, roughly 18-23 cm on primaries, with soft fringed edges. Ear tufts are long and prominent.

Color and Pattern

• Buff to tawny ground color with bold, well-defined dark streaking rather than fine vermiculation
• Facial disc is pale, rimmed with a bold black border
• Underparts pale buff with heavy dark streaking

Shaft and Vane

Shafts pale brown to buff; vanes moderately soft.

Distinguishing from Similar Species

The bold, well-defined streaking (rather than fine mottling) combined with long ear tufts separates this species from the plainer Marsh Owl and the darker Stygian Owl found in overlapping regions.

Adults are buff to tawny overall with bold dark streaking, a pale facial disc rimmed in black, long prominent ear tufts, and dark eyes.

Sexes look alike, with females slightly larger. Juveniles are downier and less boldly streaked, developing full adult pattern with age. Adults undergo a single annual molt.

This species ranges from Mexico through Central America into much of South America, occupying open grassland, savanna, agricultural land, and forest edge habitats.

It is generally a non-migratory resident, though some local movements may occur with changing prey availability.

The Striped Owl is active at dusk and through the night, hunting from low perches or in low flight over open ground. It feeds on small mammals, birds, and large insects.

It nests on the ground in grass or low vegetation rather than in trees. Its call is a deep, barking hoot. A boldly streaked buff feather with a dark-rimmed facial disc pattern and long ear-tuft plume found in open Latin American country is consistent with this species.