Band-bellied Owl
Pulsatrix melanota
Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderStrigiformes (Owls)
- FamilyStrigidae (Typical Owls)
- GenusPulsatrix (Spectacled Owls and Allies)
- SpeciesPulsatrix melanota (Band-bellied Owl)
About the Band-bellied Owl
The band-bellied owl (Pulsatrix melanota) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The band-bellied owl may form a superspecies with tawny-browed owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana). It has been suggested that they are conspecific but they have different morphology and vocalizations. The band-bellied owl has two subspecies, the nominate P. m. melanota and P. m. philoscia.
The band-bellied owl is fairly large, ranging from 44 to 48 cm (17 to 19 in) long. An analysis of the weight of 13 birds of both sexes showed a range of 590 to 1,250 g (1.30 to 2.76 lb) and an average of 873 g (1.925 lb). The adult has a dark brown facial disk and white "brows" over dark reddish brown eyes. Its upperparts are dark chocolate brown with scattered buffy-white spots. The tail is also dark brown, with thin white bars. The upper breast is reddish brown with buff barring. The rest of the underparts are white to creamy with reddish brown barring. The juvenile's plumage has not been described.
The nominate subspecies of band-bellied owl is found on the eastern slope of the Andes... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Band-bellied Owl in Cordillera Azul National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Cordillera Azul National Park
Spectacled Owl
Pulsatrix perspicillata
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium brasilianum
Foothill Screech-Owl
Megascops roraimae
Long-whiskered Owlet
Xenoglaux loweryi
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
Subtropical Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium parkeri
Black Banded Owl
Strix huhula
Tropical Screech-Owl
Megascops choliba
Striped Owl
Pseudoscops clamator
Rufescent Screech-Owl
Megascops ingens
Crested Owl
Lophostrix cristata
Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl
Megascops watsonii
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cordillera Azul National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 2 | Madidi National Park | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | |
| 3 | Podocarpus National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 4 | Amboró National Park | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | |
| 5 | Chingaza National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Band-bellied Owl in Cordillera Azul National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Band-bellied Owl sighting in Cordillera Azul National Park, based on 141 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Band-bellied Owl in Cordillera Azul National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Band-bellied Owl in Cordillera Azul National Park in our monthly data.