Appearance
The band-bellied owl is fairly large, ranging from 44 to 48 cm long. An analysis of the weight of 13 birds of both sexes showed a range of 590 to 1,250 g and an average of 873 g. The adult has a dark brown facial disk and white "brows" over dark reddish brown eyes. Its upperparts are dark chocolate brown with scattered buffy-white spots. The tail is also dark brown, with thin white bars. The upper breast is reddish brown with buff barring. The rest of the underparts are white to creamy with reddish brown barring. The juvenile's plumage has not been described.
Distribution
The nominate subspecies of band-bellied owl is found on the eastern slope of the Andes from central Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru. "P. m. philoscia" is found from there to west-central Bolivia. In elevation it ranges from about 650 to 2,200 m.Status
The IUCN has assessed the band-bellied owl as being of Least Concern. However, the species is poorly known and "could be threatened by habitat loss".Habitat
It primarily inhabits the interior of humid montane forest and foothills rainforest but is also found on forest edges and in clearings with scattered trees.Reproduction
Though there is no published information on the band-bellied owl's breeding phenology, it is presumed to nest in natural tree cavities.Food
The band-bellied owl is nocturnal. Its diet is poorly studied but is known to include large insects.References:
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