The Stygian Owl (Asio stygius) is very difficult to see but I can hear it regularly calling near my home inside the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. This bird is very secretive and every time that I try to get close to his roost he flies before I can see him. For now I can only get close enough to hear his calls!
The photo below was taken at Parque Condor which is a great raptor rescue center near Otavalo.
Stygian Owl at Condor Park
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Renato was born in Quito, Ecuador and quickly flew to the USA to learn all about engineering and climbing company ladders. After getting his engineering degree from the University of Minnesota he worked in the Standard-American-Rat-Race-Company for fifteen years. After climbing the ladder to where he could no longer see the ground, he decided to jump off the ladder and migrate south like all normal birds do. To his surprise home did not look like it did when he left as a young fledgling; the towns were bigger, most of his friends had nests of their own, and the countryside was changed. Shocked by all the change he searched for a new life and a new wife. He stumbled across a vivacious young chick who would accompany him inside a volcanic crater to set up a love nest. So, after eight years of nesting inside the crater a new love for nature and birds has sprung a career in environmental conservation and birding tours. Finally this bird has come home to roost!
Such a cool looking owl- it might even win the award for being the most “goth” of the Strigidae.
Great photo and great owl! Thanks for the link to the condor center, too. I liked watching the video of the condors.
Thanks for your feedback. I am considering putting up some nest boxes around to increase my chances of a sighting. I am just now quite satisfied with the photo of a jailed bird!