Birds
Rufous-legged Owl
Strix rufipes
Hunting silently through dense southern beech forest at night, a rufous-legged owl is identified by its distinctively rust-coloured legs, one of several owl species sharing the forests and open terrain of Patagonia.
Overview
The rufous-legged owl, Strix rufipes, is a Least Concern bird native to forest habitat across southern Chile and Argentina. Its distinctive rust-coloured legs, its close dependence on dense temperate forest, and its membership in the widespread genus Strix make it one of the more geographically and taxonomically interesting owls found anywhere in South America.
A forest specialist among open-country neighbours
While several other Patagonian owl species favour open steppe and grassland, the rufous-legged owl instead stays committed to dense temperate forest, its barred plumage and rust-coloured legs blending into a habitat quite different from that of its more open-country relatives.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable dense temperate forest habitat in southern Chile and Argentina.
Rufous-legged Owl: common questions
Why is it called the rufous-legged owl?
This species has distinctively rust-coloured legs, a feature that gives the species its common name and helps distinguish it from other Patagonian owl species.
What kind of habitat does the rufous-legged owl prefer?
This species is closely tied to dense temperate forest habitat, rarely found in the open grassland favoured by some other regional owl species such as the Magellanic horned owl.
Is the rufous-legged owl related to owls found elsewhere in the world?
Yes, this species belongs to the genus Strix, a group of owls found across much of the world, including well-known species on other continents.
When does the rufous-legged owl hunt?
This species is mostly active at night, relying on silent flight and acute hearing to locate prey within dense forest cover.