The spectacled owl also called a Murucututu, is a large tropical owl native to the neotropics. It is a resident breeder in forests from southern Mexico and Trinidad, through Central America, south to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northwestern Argentina. There are six subspecies. One is occasionally treated as a separate species called the short-browed or brown-spectacled owl but the consensus is that it is still merely a race until more detailed analysis can be done.
Region
Neotropics
Typical Environment
Found from southern Mexico and Trinidad through much of Central America into northern and central South America, reaching southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northwestern Argentina. It favors mature lowland rainforest, tall secondary forest, gallery forest, and forest edges. The species also uses wooded plantations and riparian corridors where large trees remain. By day it roosts in dense foliage; at night it hunts along edges, clearings, and streams.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Murucututu, the spectacled owl is a large Neotropical owl named for the bold white 'spectacles' framing its yellow eyes. It is a resident of mature forests from southern Mexico to northern Argentina and Trinidad. Juveniles are strikingly different from adults, being mostly white with a dark facial mask, which can cause them to be mistaken for a different species. Six subspecies are recognized, with some debate around the status of the short-browed form.
Chan Chich Lodge area, Belize - flash photo
Spectacled Owl, Palo Verde Nat'l. Park, Costa Rica
Skeleton
Male and female with their chick at the London Zoo.
The young
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with silent, deep wingbeats; makes short, direct sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually encountered alone or in pairs, roosting quietly by day. Pairs are likely monogamous and defend territories year-round. Nests are typically in large tree cavities or in the crowns of palms; 1–2 eggs are common, with the female incubating while the male provides food.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The primary song is a deep, rhythmic series of booming notes, often rendered as pup-pup-pup-pu-POOO, carrying far through forest at night. Duets between mates occur, with males giving lower, resonant hoots and females adding higher, sharper notes.
Plumage
Sooty to chocolate-brown upperparts with pale buff underparts and a contrasting dark brown breast band. The face shows bold white arcs above and below the eyes forming 'spectacles', bordered by darker mask-like feathers. Juveniles are largely white with a dark facial mask.
Diet
A perch-and-pounce predator feeding on small mammals such as rodents and opossums, as well as birds and bats. It also takes reptiles and amphibians when available. Large insects and other invertebrates form part of the diet, especially in some regions or seasons. Prey is often swallowed whole or dismembered at a feeding perch.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along forest edges, clearings, streams, and trails where prey movement is easier to detect. Frequently uses tall perches within mature forest near openings and water.
