Ecuador Hummingbird Photo Safari 2011: The San Isidro Owl
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Oct 23, 2011 | by Kevin Loughlin
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| San Isidro Owl |
Pictured above is one of the “San Isidro Mystery Owls” as they are known, appears to share plumage traits of both Black-and-White and Black-babnded Owls. Is it a hybrid of the two? The curious factor is that the ranges of the two owl species do not overlap as far as we know.
San Isidro Lodge lies at about 6800 ft. above sea level, on the eastern slope of the Andes. The Black-an-white Owl is known only from the western slope, while the Black-banded Owl is found on the eastern slope, but only in the lowlands and foothills to an elevation of about 3000 feet.
Similar owls have been seen elsewhere at these higher elevations, however, the San Isidro Owls are the most consistently viewed. Hopefully DNA and other research being done will find the answer!