Owl (Spectacled)

An unsociable bird that gets it’s name from its white markings around the eyes. A nocturnal bird whose activities normally begin after dusk and will continue to dawn. They roost singly by day in trees with dense foliage and become very vocal on calm, moonlit nights.

Spectacled Owls nest in tree hollows and lay 1-2 eggs, which are incubated by the female for about 5 weeks. Chicks leave the nest for surrounding branches at about 5-6 weeks, well before they can fly, but depend on their parents for up to a year once fledged.

When hunting it generally perches on an open branch, leaning forward scanning for prey and striking with surprising agility with a swift pounce to the ground or agile swoop to snatch prey from vegetation. Primarily feeds on small mammals up to the size of opossums, skunks and rabbits.

Photographed at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Orlando, FL