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Crested Owl

Lophostrix cristata

Range & Recent Observations

Crested Owlis a year-round resident and doesn't follow a migration flyway. See the Range tab for where it lives.

Last Spotted Near You

View on eBirdWikipedia

About the Crested Owl

The crested owl (Lophostrix cristata) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is the only species (monotypic) in the genus Lophostrix. It is a resident bird and occurs in Central America and northern South America. It is a medium-sized owl, easily recognizable with its very long whitish ear tufts and otherwise darker appearance. It inhabits lowland rainforests and prefers old growth in proximity with water. The crested owl is a strictly nocturnal species, but very little is known about its behaviour.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Lophostrix cristata
Family
Owls
Order
Strigiformes

Similar species

Other members of the owls family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • Balsas Screech-Owl Megascops seductus
  • Barred Owl Strix varia
  • Bearded Screech-Owl Megascops barbarus
  • Black-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineata
  • Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus
  • Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
  • Central American Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium griseiceps
  • Cinereous Owl Strix sartorii
  • Colima Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium palmarum
  • Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio
  • Elf Owl Micrathene whitneyi
  • Eurasian Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo

Know when the Crested Owl turns up near you

Add it to your watchlist and draw an alert zone around the places you actually bird. Birdr checks eBird reports and tells you when one is seen inside it.

How rare bird alerts work →

Gear for spotting Crested Owl

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Spotting Scopes for Distance Birding

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