| Lesser horned owl | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male (left) and female (right) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Bubo |
| Species: | B. magellanicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Bubo magellanicus (Lesson, 1828) | |
Thelesser horned owl orMagellanic horned owl (Bubo magellanicus) is a largeowl of the genusBubo found in southernSouth America, extending north to the centralAndes. It has traditionally been classified as asubspecies of thegreat horned owl (Bubo virginianus), but is now treated as a separate species based on differences in voice and size and because of thegenetic distance between the two.[3]
It is about 45 cm (18 in) long with birds in the north of the range being largest. It has broad wings and a large head with two "ear" tufts. Theplumage is mainly grey-brown but is quite variable in colour. The underparts are pale with narrow grey-brown bars and the breast has dark blotches. There is a black border to the facial disc and white stripes above the yellow eyes. The great horned owl is similar but larger with stronger feet and bill, broader bars on the underparts and longer ear-tufts.[3]
The deep hooting call consists of a double-note followed by a loud, vibrating note. The bird's local nametucúquere is imitative of the call.
The range extends from centralPeru and westernBolivia southwards throughChile and westernArgentina as far asTierra del Fuego. The bird occurs in a variety of habitats including openforest,scrubland,farmland andgrassland. It hunts over open country, mainly at night.Rodents make up most of the diet but other mammals,birds, reptiles andinsects are also taken. The species nests on cliffs or between rocks. The two or three eggs are incubated by the female, who is fed by the male.[3]
Data related toBubo magellanicus at Wikispecies