Roufus owl (SciiFii)

The roufus owl (Pulsatrix americanum) is a species of owl that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the roufus owl is the spectacled owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) of South America. The roufus owl can range from 41 to 52.3 cm (16.1 to 20.6 in) in length. Mass in males can range from 453 to 1,075 grams (1.00 to 2.37 lb), where as females can weigh from 680 to 1,250 grams (1.50 to 2.76 lb). It is unmistakable in most of its range (except with other Pulsatrix owls) with blackish brown upperparts, head and upper breast, white facial markings and whitish to yellowish-ochre underparts. The eyes are yellow, one of the only Pulsatrix with this eye color (along with the closely-related spectacled owls), and the beak is pale. Vocal activity tends to be most prominent on calm, moonlit nights. The primary sound made by the roufus owl consists of guttural knocking or tapping sounds with a popping effect: PUP-pup-pup-pup-po, POK pok pok bog bog bog bobobo or BOO Boo boo boo boo. Each progressive note becomes weaker and lower in pitch but faster in pace as the call continues. This species is largely nocturnal, starting activity right around the time of last light at dusk and usually being back on their roosts for the day around first light. It is a solitary, unsocial bird, usually roosting singly each day and only peaceable associating with others of their own species for reproductive purposes. Most hunting starts with the owl perched on a branch and scanning the area, then dropping with a quick pounce when prey is located. It preys principally on a wide array of mammals, eating almost anything that is nocturnally active. This owl typically nests in an unlined tree cavity but may also use the crutch of a large tree. Like all owls, they do not build a nest so just lay their nest on the bare surface of the wood given, usually rotting wood in the case of tree cavities. Roufus owls lay 1-3 eggs, which are incubated entirely or almost so by the female for about 5 weeks. If two or three eggs are hatched, often only one or two of the chicks will survive, the smaller chick usually perishing via starvation or by aggression from the larger nestling. Chicks leave the nest for surrounding branches at about 5–6 weeks but cannot usually fly well at this stage. However, they tend to depend on their parents for several months after leaving the nest and may be cared for and fed for up to a year once fledged, inhibiting the pair's ability to have young the following year. Roufus owls may breed while still in immature plumage since it may take up to five years before full adult plumage is obtained. The conservation status of the roufus owl is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the roufus owl's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii