Rust-footed owl
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Rust-footed owl ( Strix rufipes ) |
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| Strix rufipes | ||||||||||
| King , 1828 |
The rust-footed owl ( Strix rufipes ) is a species from the family of real owls (Strigidae), which occurs exclusively in South America.
features
With a body size of about 33 to 38 centimeters, the rust-footed owl is a medium-sized species within its genus . There are no feather ears . The face veil is pale orange-brown to pale ocher and usually has dark concentric lines. The throat is white. The top of the body is sepia brown with paler markings that are particularly noticeable on the head and neck. The underside of the body has white, reddish and dark brown horizontal stripes. The eyes are brown. The legs and toes are feathered.
It can be confused with the Chaco tawny owl , whose plumage is much paler and has a very light veil on the face.
Distribution area and habitat
The rust-footed owl occurs in central Chile and in the south of Argentina . Its southern distribution limit is in the Tierra del Fuego . Occasionally it also occurs in the Falkland Islands . It is basically a resident bird , young birds show a great tendency to disperse. Its habitat are very dense pseudo-beech forests on mountain slopes or in lowlands. Its height distribution ranges from the lowlands to altitudes of 2,000 meters.
Way of life
The rust-footed owl is crepuscular and nocturnal. It transmits in trees and then usually sits in close proximity to a tree trunk covered with lichen. Occasionally he also transmits in tree hollows. Its food spectrum consists of small mammals up to the size of a rat. Small birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects also play a role. Because of its very shy way of life, the rust-footed owl has not yet been very well researched. Presumably it is a year-round territorial species. The breeding season begins in October. The clutch consists of two to three white eggs. Otherwise nothing is known about its reproductive biology.
supporting documents
Single receipts
literature
- Claus König , Friedhelm Weick: Owls of the World . Christopher Helm, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
Web link
- Strix rufipes inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2014.