Birdsong field guide
Lesser Horned Owl
Bubo magellanicus
A medium-sized nocturnal raptor of southern South America, characterized by its prominent ear tufts and finer, denser barring compared to the Great Horned Owl.
What it sounds like
A rapid, rhythmic series of hoots, typically 'bu-hóo-hu-hu-hóo', which is higher-pitched and faster than that of its northern relatives.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
0:00 / 4:13
Field notes
- Long considered a subspecies of the Great Horned Owl, it was elevated to species status based on distinct vocalizations and DNA analysis.
- It is the only species of the genus Bubo resident in the temperate forests and scrublands of the southern Andes.
- The species exhibits significant plumage variation, with southern populations appearing paler and more grayish than northern ones.
- Despite being a powerful predator, it is frequently mobbed by smaller birds such as the Southern Lapwing and various raptors during daylight hours.
- Nesting typically occurs on cliff ledges or in the abandoned stick nests of other large birds, as they do not build their own structures.
Habitat
Arid scrub, temperate southern beech forests, rocky ravines, and montane grasslands up to 4,500 meters.
Range
Southern South America, spanning from central Peru and Bolivia through Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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