Magellanic horned owl
| Magellanic Horned Owl | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Aves |
| Sub-class | Neornithes |
| Infra-class | Neoaves |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family Information | |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Sub-family | Striginae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Bubo |
| Species Information | |
| Species | B. magellanicus |
| Population statistics | |
| Conservation status | Least concern[1] |
The Magellanic horned owl or tucuquere (Bubo magellanicus) is a species of owl found in South America. It is also known as the lesser horned owl, due to a previous classification as a subspecies of the great horned owl; genetic and physical differences led to its placement as a distinct species.
Description
The magellanic horned owl is slightly smaller than the great horned owl, reaching a length of about 17.7 inches. Each wing on the male is 12.5 to 14 inches; for females, it is 13 to 14.4 inches. They weigh about 1.76 pounds.
Compared to the great horned owl, the beak is narrow, the feet are somewhat less pronounced, and the feathers are smaller, narrower and tapering. The underside of the body has fine dark transverse bands, which are denser and more regular than in the great horned owl.
The call of the male is circumscribed bu-hóohworrr, with an emphasis on the second syllable. Females are similar, but the hwóorrr part of the call is stretched longer.
Range and habitat
The magellanic horned owl is a bird of the Andes; it is found in Central Peru, Bolivia and Argentina as well as Chile, south as far as Cape Horn. It is a vagrant on the Falklands Islands. It is non-migratory, but the young birds show a more pronounced dispersion, particularly in autumn as they search out new areas. The exception is those birds in the extreme south, as they will move to warmer climes during winter.
The habitat is rocky forests to semi-desert. Its elevation ranges from the low level to above the tree line in mountain ranges. The upper spreading limit is 14,700 feet above sea level. It has also taken advantage of human habitations, from small towns and settlements to city parks within large urban areas.
Diet
The magellanic horned owl is active at night to dawn. In the extreme south of its range, it can occasionally be observed before sunset. It is usually a still hunter, waiting for prey to come to it before striking in a silent ambush. Prey includes small mammals up to the size of hares, as well as birds and reptiles. Very likely, larger insects and spiders are also taken and consumed.
Reproduction
The reproductive biology of the magellanic horned owl has not yet been studied very intensively. Like most owl species it is territorial. Males call from different waiting places to indicate the boundaries of their territory, with a bonded pair calling each other. The nest is built on the ground, with two to three white eggs laid in the late southern winter or early spring. The females alone feed the chicks after hatching, with males bringing in food for both.
