The
Black-and-white Owl is very distinctive and unlikely to be confused with any
other Central American Owl. It can found in both Central and South
America. Here you can
find video, photos, recordings and information to help identify and
enjoy this beautiful owl. The Field Notes section includes a Central
American range map and information on nesting, habitat, description and
identification. To jump immediately to any of these sections
use the Page Jump Links below.

This "agitated contact call" is given by
the female and may be associated with territorial disputes.

This is a pair of owls calling with a primary advertising
and territorial call. The first and third (last) lower call is the male and
the middle (higher) call is the female. This is the most commonly heard calls
in the field.

The Black-and-white Owl is a medium size owl (15-16 in. in length). Its size is
similar to the other medium sized owls like Barn, Long and Short-eared.
There is no similar owl in Central America although the Black-banded of
South America is similar and was once considered conspecific. The
Black-banded does have a different call, slightly different markings (no
solid black on the head, and white bars on its back) though.

The Black-and-white
Owl inhabits humid to semihumid evergreen and semideciduous forests,
plantations and tall mangroves. It may be found near villages, forest
edges and clearings, and woodlands near rivers or swamps. In Mexico it
can be found from sea level to 3900 ft. in elevation, in Panama up to
6800 ft. and in Columbia up to 7800 ft. in elevation.

The Black-and-white Owl is strictly nocturnal (active only at night).
It
feeds mainly on insects but will also take small mammals. It normally
hunts from a perch but will also catch bugs and bats in flight,
sometimes under artificial lights.

Nesting season
begins in late March and extends through May. It nests in tree holes, in
the crotches of large bromeliads, sometimes among the epiphytes or
orchids living on large trees, and even said to occasionally use old
stick nests. It usually has 1-2 eggs.

The Black-and-white Owl
has very conspicuous orange to orange-yellow feet and bill. It has a
black face with white speckled eye brows and dark brown eyes. Its
stomach, chest, neck and hind neck are white with thin dark brown bars.
Its backside (or upper parts) is dark brown with a few thin white bars
on the tail.

The voice of
this owl is similar to the Spotted Owl's. The pattern of the call is
different but the tones sound quite a bit like those of a Spotted Owl.
This call is described as "who-who-who-who-WHOW-whoh". The
call has and rapid series of notes that increase in tone and volume then
may have one final lower note. Other vocalizations have also been described.
** See the calls above. **