Birds
Magellanic Horned Owl
Bubo magellanicus · also called lesser horned owl
Hunting silently across open Patagonian steppe rather than forest, a Magellanic horned owl carries the same prominent feather tufts as its larger relative the great horned owl, ranging from lowland grassland to high Andean terrain in search of prey.
Overview
The Magellanic horned owl, Bubo magellanicus, is a Least Concern bird of prey native to grassland, mountain, and desert habitat across southern and Andean South America. Its close kinship with the great horned owl, its preference for open rather than forested terrain, and its exceptionally broad elevational range make it one of the more ecologically distinctive large owls found anywhere in South America.
An open-country cousin of a forest icon
While the great horned owl is often associated with wooded habitat across much of the Americas, its smaller Magellanic relative has instead built its entire hunting strategy around open Patagonian and Andean terrain, proving the same basic body plan can thrive in landscapes with hardly a tree in sight.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable open habitat throughout southern and Andean South America.
Magellanic Horned Owl: common questions
Is the Magellanic horned owl related to the great horned owl?
Yes, this species is a smaller relative of the great horned owl, sharing a similar overall shape but adapted to different habitat and a more southerly geographic range.
Why does the Magellanic horned owl have feather tufts on its head?
This species has prominent feather tufts resembling horns, a feature shared with several other large owl species around the world, though the exact function remains debated among researchers.
Does the Magellanic horned owl live in forests?
No, this species hunts mainly across open Patagonian steppe and high Andean terrain, rather than the forested habitat favoured by many other large owl species.
How high in elevation can the Magellanic horned owl be found?
This species is found across an enormous elevational range, from lowland Patagonian steppe up to high Andean terrain thousands of metres above sea level.