Chaco owl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chaco owl |
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| Bodafon Farm Park, Llandudno (Wales) | |
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Strix
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| Species: |
chacoensis
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The Chaco owl (Strix chacoensis) is a type of owl found in South America. You can spot it in countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. These owls are known for their unique features and the special sounds they make.
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How Scientists Classify the Chaco Owl
Scientists study how living things are related. This is called taxonomy. The Chaco owl was first thought to be its own unique species. Then, some scientists decided it was a type of rufous-legged owl.
But later, in 1995, new studies looked at the owl's body shape and its calls. These studies showed that the Chaco owl really is a separate species. Scientists now think it might be more closely related to the rusty-barred owl. The Chaco owl is also "monotypic," which means it does not have any different subspecies.
What Does the Chaco Owl Look Like?
The Chaco owl is about 35 to 38 cm (14 to 15 in) long. That's roughly the length of a ruler. Male owls usually weigh between 360 to 435 g (12.7 to 15.3 oz). Females are a bit heavier, weighing from 420 to 500 g (15 to 18 oz).
This owl has a round head. It does not have any ear tufts, which are the feather tufts that look like ears on some owls. Its face is pale grayish-white with dark lines. The top part of its body is dark brownish-black. It has thin white and yellowish stripes. Its belly is off-white with dark brown stripes. The tail is dark grayish-brown with thin pale stripes.
Where Do Chaco Owls Live?
The Chaco owl lives in southern South America. You can find it from Bolivia's Santa Cruz Department. Its range goes south through western Paraguay. It also lives in north-central Argentina, reaching Córdoba and Buenos Aires provinces.
These owls usually live between 500 and 1,300 m (1,600 and 4,300 ft) above sea level in Argentina. They live in a region called the Gran Chaco. This area does not get much rain. The owls live in different types of forests there. These can be dense forests or more open areas. They live in hilly, rolling, and flat lands.
Chaco Owl Behavior and Habits
How Chaco Owls Find Food
Chaco owls are mostly active at night. This means they are nocturnal. But they also make sounds at dawn and dusk. They hunt by sitting on a high spot, called a perch. From there, they drop down or fly to catch their prey. They eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
How Chaco Owls Raise Their Young
We do not know much about how Chaco owls breed in the wild. But scientists think it is similar to other Strix owls. They probably build their nests in holes in trees. They might also use holes in the ground. Female owls in zoos usually lay two to three eggs.
What Does a Chaco Owl Sound Like?
The male Chaco owl has a unique song. It sounds a bit like a frog. It makes a sound like "crococro craorr-craorr craorr-craorr." The first "craorr" sound is the loudest. The female's song is similar, but it has a higher pitch.
What is the Chaco Owl's Conservation Status?
The IUCN is a group that checks on animals around the world. They first said the Chaco owl was of "Least Concern." This meant it was not in danger. But in 2018, they changed its status to "Near Threatened."
This means the Chaco owl could become endangered soon. We do not know exactly how many Chaco owls there are. But their numbers are going down. This is happening because forests where they live are being cut down.
