Rufous-legged Owl

Overview

The rufous-legged owl (Strix rufipes) is a medium-sized owl found in Argentina and Chile. It is assessed as being of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Compact body, 33 to 38 cm long, with a round head and no ear tufts.
• Adults feature a rusty facial disk, white 'brows' over dark brown eyes, and white lores.
• Upperparts are dark reddish brown with narrow orange-buff bars and spots, while underparts are buffy white with black bars.
• Vocalisations include a variety of grunting, hooting, and cackling noises.

Habitat

Found in Chile from Valparaíso Province and in western Argentina from Mendoza Province south to Tierra del Fuego. It primarily inhabits moist old-growth forest with a closed canopy and dense understory, but also occurs in older secondary and semi-open forests from sea level to 2,000 m.

Diet

Nocturnal and usually hunts from a perch. Its primary prey consists of small arboreal mammals, though it also takes small amounts of birds, amphibians, and insects.

Did you know?

At one time the Chaco owl was considered a subspecies of the rufous-legged owl, but they are now distinct species differing in plumage, morphology, and voice.