The tawny-browed owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Region
Atlantic Forest, eastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily from eastern and southeastern Brazil south into eastern Paraguay and Misiones Province, Argentina. It inhabits humid evergreen and semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest, using interior forest as well as well-wooded edges and riparian corridors. The species tolerates secondary forest if structure is complex, but is most frequent in less-disturbed tracts. It roosts in dense foliage by day and hunts below the canopy at night.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The tawny-browed owl is a forest specialist of the Atlantic Forest, where it favors mature and semi-mature evergreen tracts. Pairs often perform duets of deep, booming notes that carry far through the canopy at night. It is sometimes confused with the larger Spectacled Owl, but the tawny-browed owl shows rich rufous eyebrows and a darker facial disc.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
silent, strong flier with short rapid wingbeats between glides
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs. Pairs maintain territories year-round and nest in large tree cavities or old woodpecker holes. Clutch size is small, and both adults attend the young. Roosts quietly in dense cover during daylight.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Deep, resonant hoots delivered in a rhythmic series, often as antiphonal duets between mates. Also gives gruff barks and growls at close range when agitated.
