Peruvian
Striped Owl - 'Inca'
Asio clamator clamator
Inca
is a pretty little owl closely related to our British long-eared
and short-eared owls, although the prominent feather tufts on
the top of the head have nothing to do with the ears.
The
Peruvian Striped Owl is generally found in thin tropical forests,
in fields and marshes, but avoiding dense forest. It will hunt
over clearings, farmland,and forest edges. It has a range of habitats
that stretches from sea level to 5000 feet in elevation.
The
Striped Owl is strictly nocturnal (active mostly at night) although
like its cousin, the Short-eared Owl, it is often seen at dusk
coursing low over the ground hunting, and feeds mainly on small
vertebrates and mammals such as small rodents and snakes. Also
feeds on arthropods, birds, reptiles and large insects. In the
day it roosts on the ground or in a low thicket.
Nesting
season begins in August and extends through March. The Striped
Owl, like the Short-eared owl, generally nests on the ground on
a flattened grassy clump at no great height. Occasionally nests
in a tree. It commonly lays three (2-4) eggs but usually only
one chick will fledge.
Out
of the breeding season, similar to the closely related Long eared
owl, these owls may congregate in small groups on a branch together.
