Stygian Owl

Asio stygius

This silent night hunter, with piercing yellow eyes and distinctive ear tufts, rules the dark forests from Mexico to Argentina.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Stygian Owl is a large, dark-colored owl with prominent ear tufts. Its plumage is predominantly dark brown to blackish, with buff and white mottling. The facial disc is brown with a distinctive black border, and the eyes are a striking yellow-orange.

Females are typically larger than males, but plumage is similar between sexes. Juveniles have a paler, more mottled appearance compared to adults, with less defined facial discs.

Size

Length

41cm to 46cm

Wingspan

100cm to 120cm

Weight

450g to 680g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Black

Secondary Colour

White Buff

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Stygian Owl can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Stygian Owl can be found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Stygian Owl can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Stygian Owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Stygian Owls inhabit a range of forested habitats, including montane cloud forests, pine-oak woodlands, and tropical rainforests. They are found from Mexico through Central America and into South America, including parts of Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina.

While primarily associated with mature forests, they may also be found in partially cleared areas with sufficient tree cover. Their distribution is patchy and often tied to specific habitat requirements.

Occasional reports of vagrant individuals have been recorded in the southern US, including the first recorded sighting in Texas in 1996 at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Stygian Owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons