File:Spectacled owl in fly.jpg

English: spectacled owl

The Spectacled Owl, Pulsatrix perspicillata, is a large tropical owl. It is a resident breeder from southern Mexico and Trinidad, through Central America, south to southern Brazil, Paraguay and northwestern Argentina.

The Woodlands Zoo in Seattle notes that "Due to its elusive behavior and dense forest habitat, little is known about this species. Spectacled owls are thought to be fairly common where their tropical forest habitat remains. But as tropical forests continue to disappear, the spectacled owl will be at greater risk of endangerment. Although spectacled owls seem to be somewhat tolerant of deforestation, and can be found in drier woods and cultivated areas, they do need wooded areas for successful nesting... Many raptor species are in danger. Human-caused changes in land use are escalating, and this affects the habitats and migratory corridors required by some raptors for survival. Vast forests are removed for timber and other paper products, and industrial emissions pollute water and air resources. Critical shoreline and riparian zone habitats are rapidly converted by expanding human communities and agricultural needs. Shooting and trapping are also lowering raptor numbers. It’s only a matter of time until more raptor species may face extinction, unless we take measures to protect their habitats."