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Spectacled Owl


Spectacled Owl
Photo Information
Copyright: Ricardo Kuehn (ryyck) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 176] (994)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon A60
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2005-09-10 9:28
Viewed: 1229
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Spectacled Owl - Pulsatrix perspicillata

Description: Spectacled Owls are dark brown with a whitish to yellow-ochre belly, a white patch on the front of the neck and a dark brown belt across the breast. White "spectacles" around their yellow eyes give them their name.
A juvenile has the adult markings in reverse - a white head with black mask, and may take several years from hatching to attain full adult plumage.

Habits: An unsociable bird. Generally nocturnal, with activity normally begining after dusk and continuing to dawn. Roosts singly by day in trees with dense foliage. Most vocal on calm, moonlit nights.

Size: Length 43-46cm (17-18")
Weight male 453-680g (16-24oz) female 680-906g (24-32oz)

Voice: A series of knocking or tapping sounds with a poping effect "PUP-pup-pup-pup-po", each successive note being lower and weaker, and the rhythm quicker as the series progresses.
The Female also has a hawk-like scream "ker-WHEEER", which has been likened to a steam whistle.

Hunting & Food: Spectacled Owls eat small mammals including mice and the occasional possum or skunk, insects, spiders, many Caterpillars, bats, birds up to the size of Jays, crabs and frogs.
They use a branch to perch on and scan the surrounding area. When prey is located, they drop with a swift pounce. Insects are snatched from foliage.

Breeding: In Costa Rica, eggs are laid in the dry season, or at the start of the wet season. Spectacled Owls nest in tree hollows and lay 1-2 eggs, which are incubated by the female for about 5 weeks. Chicks leave the nest for surrounding branches at about 5-6 weeks, well before they can fly, but depend on their parents for up to a year once fledged. Often, only one chick will survive.

Habitat: Occurs more frequently in dense tropical rainforest with mature, large trees, including forest edges. Also found in dry forest, treed savannah habitat, plantations and open areas with scattered trees.

Distribution: Mexico, Central America, Northern two-thirds of South America.

Status: Generally uncommon, but locally common in areas such as Costa Rica, Colombia and the Amazon.

Thank you for Steve Prior about the correct ID.

Source: http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Pulsatrix&species=perspicillata

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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Vicky Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 56 W: 0 N: 94] (468)
  • [2005-09-10 9:33]

Wow!
Amazing portrait. Clear, crisp details and the colours and expression are stunning!
Top photo. Well done Ricardo and thanks for sharing.
Very best wishes, Vicky

It's the eyes and the feather between them that makes this picture work. Great job Ricardo! Well done

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3100 W: 234 N: 5929] (20008)
  • [2005-09-10 15:05]

Wow, fantastic close-up shot of this unusual-looking and beautiful owl. Super sharp details and excellent exposure. I really like the details on his eyes and his "mustache". Well done and TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • Kris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 193 W: 0 N: 129] (1808)
  • [2005-09-10 17:50]

Nice post, beautiful shot of this pretty bird.
Regards, Krzysztof.

Stunning shot Ricardo. Perfect in every way. No nits here. TFS

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2005-09-12 4:57]

Hello Ricardo!
Excellent portrait.Clear eyes are amazing.Details,POV,sharpness and composition are perfect.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • Toni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 403 W: 2 N: 316] (2034)
  • [2005-09-12 15:51]

I'd be scared coming face to face with this one. What big eyes ! Excellent portrait and details. Nice close-up.
Well done.
Toni

Great portrait of this bird! I like his big eyes! Excellent sharpness. Great details on the black and white feathers. TFS!
Helene

olá Ricardo.
Realmente esta sua foto esta fantastica, vc conceguiu uma profundidade de foco muito boa, tudo esta focado devidadmente, as cores tb estão boas, os olhos realmente são algo especial. Parabens.
Taba

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