Kingdom Animalia Genus Pulsatrix Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Strigidae Scientific name Pulsatrix melanota Higher classification Pulsatrix Order Owl | |
 | ||
Similar Owl, Rufescent screech owl, Pulsatrix, Tawny‑browed owl, Whiskered screech owl | ||
Band bellied owl
The band-bellied owl (Pulsatrix melanota) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
This owl is fairly large, variously reported from 35.5 to 48 cm (14–19 in) long. 13 birds of both sexes were found to weigh 590–1,250 g (1.30–2.76 lb), which an average of 873 g (1.925 lb). It is dark brown above and whitish below with prominent rusty-colored barring and a broad brown chest band mottled with whitish-buff. Its facial disc is dark brown with white spectacles. The throat has a white half-collar. The eyes are a reddish brown. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, between an elevation of 700 m and 1,600 m.
The behavior of this owl is almost completely unknown. Like its better known cousin, the spectacled owl, it is believed to hunt a wide variety of prey while watching from a perch and dropping down to catch prey.
