Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Strix ("owl") nigrolineata ("black lined")

Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 400-535g  /  Length: 35-40cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This visually striking owl is a species that is found only in Central America and the most adjacent lowland parts of South America. They are a forest species, but are quite tolerant of nesting hear humans compared to other owls, perhaps as it tends to nest high in very tall tree species like mahogany. Its favoured prey include dung beetles, bats, cicadas and diurnal birds snatched from their roosts.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Cárabo Blanquinegro ("Black and White Owl")
A widespread species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

OTHER NAMES: Brown Owl
Latin Etymology: Strix ("owl") aluco (Italian species specific name)

Adult Tawny Owl (subspecies S. a. sylvatica) at Eldernell, Cambridgeshire - February 2024

Featured Subspecies: Strix aluco sylvatica
Weight: 470g  /  Length: 37-46cm  /  Wingspan: 81-105cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The UK's largest and most common established owl, the Tawny owl is the typical brown owl found in the UK. It is also the most obligate nocturnal of the five species, and can be one of the more difficult species to see in daylight. For the most part however, this is a bird far more often heard than seen, with it's iconic "twit-tuwoo"call, both at night and in the day, though it should be noted that this call is actually that of the male and female birds calling together.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
Subspecies: S. a. aluco, S. a. siberiae, S. a. sylvatica, S. a. mauritanica, S. a. willkonskii, S. a. sanctinicolai, S. a. harmsi, S. a. biddulphi  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but secretive resident (50,000 pairs)

 - Seen at Kensington Gardens, Nene Washes  and Geddington.    

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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