Asio grammicus
The Jamaican Owl, or 'Patoo' as it's locally known, is a striking medium-sized owl endemic to the island of Jamaica. Measuring approximately 25-34 cm (10-13 inches) in length with a wingspan of 60-70 cm (24-28 inches) and weighing 120-250 grams (4.2-8.8 oz), it exhibits a rich rufous-brown plumage, heavily streaked with dark brown on its underparts and faintly barred on its upperparts. A key identification feature is its relatively short, almost absent ear tufts, combined with piercing dark b...
This owl primarily inhabits dense, humid to semi-arid forests and woodlands, including limestone forests, shaded coffee plantations, and areas with substantial tree cover from sea level up to mid-elevations.
Its diet is broad, consisting mainly of large insects such as crickets, beetles, and moths, supplemented by small vertebrates including lizards, frogs, rodents, and small birds. It primarily hunts from a perch or in flight, snatching prey.
The Jamaican Owl is strictly nocturnal and crepuscular, emerging at dusk to hunt and retiring to dense foliage for roosting during the day, often near the trunk of a tree. It employs a typical perch-and-pounce foraging strategy, scanning for prey from a low branch before swooping down, though it ...
The Jamaican Owl is strictly endemic to the island of Jamaica, inhabiting suitable forested and wooded areas across the entire island. Its distribution is continuous throughout the interior and coastal regions where adequate tree cover persists, from sea level up to elevations exceeding 1500 mete...
Least Concern
- Known locally as the 'Patoo', a name thought to be onomatopoeic, mimicking its call. - Despite belonging to the genus *Asio*, it lacks the prominent ear tufts characteristic of many of its relatives, making it somewhat unique within the group. - It is the only owl species completely endemic to ...