Tyto glaucops
The Ashy-faced Owl (Tyto glaucops) is a captivating medium-sized owl endemic to the island of Hispaniola, renowned for its distinctive ashy-gray facial disc. This striking feature, deep-set dark brown eyes, and a heart-shaped outline distinguish it from its widespread relative, the Common Barn Owl. Measuring approximately 30-36 cm (12-14 inches) in length with a wingspan of about 80 cm (31-32 inches) and weighing 270-400 grams, it presents a rufous-buff to tawny upper plumage mottled with dar...
This owl inhabits a variety of open or semi-open environments, including dry and pine forests, woodlands, savannas, cultivated lands, and plantations, from sea level up to approximately 2000 meters (6,500 feet) elevation.
Their diet consists mainly of small mammals like rodents, shrews, and bats, supplemented by large insects (e.g., cockroaches, beetles), small reptiles, and occasionally small birds, all captured through pounce hunting.
Strictly nocturnal, the Ashy-faced Owl spends its days roosting in secluded, dark cavities such as caves, dense foliage, large tree hollows, or abandoned buildings. It is a formidable predator, hunting primarily by silent, low-level flight over open areas or from a perch, using its acute hearing ...
The Ashy-faced Owl is exclusively found on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which is divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Its distribution spans across the entirety of the island, occurring from coastal lowlands to mid-montane elevations, typically up to around 2000 meters (6,500 ...
Least Concern
- The Ashy-faced Owl is a true island endemic, found exclusively on Hispaniola, nowhere else in the world. - Its common name, 'Ashy-faced,' is a direct reference to its primary distinguishing feature, setting it apart from other barn owls. - Despite its resemblance to the widespread Common Barn O...