Black-and-white Owl, Ciccaba nigrolineata
Black-and-white Owl, Ciccaba nigrolineata. Photographs taken within Chagres District, Colón Province, Panama, February 1987. Photographs and identifications courtesy of Bob Behrstock, Sierra Vista, Arizona (naturewideimages.com).
Background and Identification
The Black-and-white Owl, Ciccaba nigrolineata, is a nocturnal bird species that spends the majority of its time in the canopies of forests. They tend to be solitary or hunt in pairs, and remain well-hidden throughout the day. After maturity is reached and a mate is found, Black-and-white owls are monogamous and sedentary for the rest of their lives. Sedentary refers to a non-migratory bird that does not travel to winter or breed. In Mexico, the Black-and-white Owl is known as Búho Barrado Albinegro.
This species is a large owl, ranging from 35-40 cm in length. Females are larger than males, which is common in most owl species. Black-and-white owls have rounded heads with a prominent dark facial disk that is outlined with white speckles. The underparts are white with narrow black barring and the upperparts are all black. Barred plumage is characterized by alternating dark and light pigmentation transversal to the feather’s axis. The tail is also black and white, but it is mostly black with narrow white barring, the opposite of its underparts. Eyes are dark brown, and both the bills and feet are yellowish-orange.
Habitat and Geographical Range
The Black-and-white owl prefers humid to semi-humid deciduous and evergreen forests, as well as partially flooded marshy woodlands and tree plantations. They have also been observed in tall mangroves. Dense forest is preferred, as they try their best to stay hidden in the daylight.
The Black-and-white Owl is a resident from central Mexico south through Central America to northwestern South America. In Mexico, it is more commonly found on the Atlantic side. On the Pacific slope, it is found just north of eastern Oaxaca. Populations in the Americas are sedentary, this species does not migrate to winter or breed.
Common Misidentifications
The Black-and-white Owl resembles the Black Banded Owl, Strix huhula, of Eastern South America. This species differs in its color patterns. Black-banded owls tend to have more black-dominated stripes below their neck and are smaller in stature. Geographically, these two species are not known to overlap, except there are a few records in Colombia of possible hybrid individuals.
Conservation Status
From a conservation perspective, the Black-and-white Owl is currently considered to be of Least Concern with a large range and stable population. This species is of high concern, however, due to habitat loss and the encroachment of cities on its habitats.