Costa Rica is home to an impressive 16 species of owls. These secretive nocturnal predators haunt diverse environments across the country, from lush rainforests and misty cloud forests to coastal mangroves and even suburban fringes. Armed with exceptional hearing, keen night vision, and specialized feathers for silent flight, they expertly hunt a variety of prey, including insects, rodents, reptiles, and small birds. Because many species are highly elusive and far more often heard than seen, a visual encounter is incredibly rewarding. For the best chance at spotting these mysterious birds in their natural habitat, guided night walks through Costa Rica’s protected forests are a must. The photographs featured here are the culmination of three birding expeditions, each led by expert local bird guides.
哥斯达黎加有16种令人过目难忘的猫头鹰。这些神秘的夜行性猛禽栖息于全国各地多样化的生态环境中，从郁郁葱葱的热带雨林、云雾缭绕的云雾林，到沿海红树林，甚至城郊地带，都能发现它们的踪迹。它们能凭借极其敏锐的听觉、卓越的夜视能力以及能够实现无声飞行的特殊羽毛，够精准捕猎昆虫、啮齿动物、爬行动物和小型鸟类等猎物。由于大多数种类生性隐秘，人们往往只闻其声、难见其影，因此每一次目睹它们的机会都格外珍贵。若想在自然环境中一睹这些神秘夜行猎手，最好的办法是参加哥斯达黎加保护区内的夜间导览。
这里的照片精选自三次观鸟行程，每趟都由当地专业的鸟类向导带队指导。
Black-and-white owl黑白林鸮
The Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata) is distinguished by its bold black-and-white plumage and dark eyes, it inhabits humid lowland and foothill forests. This elusive predator hunts insects, rodents, frogs, and small birds, relying on silent flight and exceptional hearing to locate prey after dark.
黑白林鸮（Strix nigrolineata）以鲜明的黑白相间羽色和深色眼睛而极具辨识度，栖息于湿润的低地森林和山麓森林。作为一种行踪隐秘的夜行性猛禽，它凭借无声飞行、敏锐的听觉，在夜间捕食昆虫、啮齿动物、蛙类及小型鸟类。
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Central American pygmy owl 中美小鸺鹠
The Central American Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium griseiceps) is a tiny yet fearless predator inhabiting humid forests. Active by day and at dusk, it hunts insects, lizards, and small birds. Despite its small size, this alert owl is bold, territorial, and easily recognized by its distinctive false “eye spots” on the back of its head.
中美小鸺鹠（Glaucidium griseiceps）是一种体型娇小却勇敢无畏的猛禽，栖息于湿润的热带森林中。它们主要在白天和黄昏时活动，捕食昆虫、蜥蜴以及小型鸟类。尽管身材小巧，这种机警的猫头鹰性格大胆且具有强烈的领地意识，其头部后方独特的“假眼斑”更是辨识它的重要特征。
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Ferruginous pygmy-owl 赤腹鸺鹠
The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) is a tiny but bold owl widely distributed across the Americas. It inhabits dry forests, savannas, woodlands, and tropical scrublands, where it actively hunts during the day. Recognized by its rufous-brown plumage, yellow eyes, and prominent facial markings, it also has distinctive false “eye spots” on the back of its head to confuse potential attackers. Despite its small size, this fearless predator defends its territory aggressively and feeds on insects, lizards, small birds, and rodents.
棕鸺鹠（Glaucidium brasilianum）是一种体型娇小却异常勇敢的猫头鹰，广泛分布于美洲地区。它们栖息于干燥森林、稀树草原、林地以及热带灌木丛中，常在白天活动并积极捕猎。该鸟以红褐色羽毛、明亮的黄色眼睛和醒目的面部纹饰而易于辨认，头部后方还具有独特的“假眼斑”，可用于迷惑潜在的攻击者。尽管体型小巧，这种无畏的捕食者具有强烈的领地意识，会积极防御自己的领地，并以昆虫、蜥蜴、小型鸟类和啮齿动物为食。
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Pacific screech-owl 太平洋鸣角鸮
The Pacific Screech-Owl (Megascops cooperi) is a small, secretive owl inhabiting dry forests, woodlands, and semi-open habitats along the Pacific slopes of Central America. It is distinguished by prominent ear tufts, a pale gray facial disc edged in black, striking yellow eyes, and cryptic grayish-tan plumage marked with dark herringbone patterns that blend seamlessly with tree bark. Primarily nocturnal, it hunts a variety of prey, including insects, small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Its finely mottled feathers provide exceptional camouflage during the day, while its distinctive, haunting calls often reveal its presence after nightfall.
太平洋角鸮（Megascops cooperi）是一种体型较小、行踪隐秘的猫头鹰，栖息于中美洲太平洋沿岸的干燥森林、林地以及半开放生态环境中。它具有醒目的耳羽、黑色边缘环绕的浅灰色面盘、明亮的黄色眼睛，以及带有深色人字形纹理的灰褐色隐蔽羽毛，这些独特的斑纹使其能够与树皮完美融合。太平洋角鸮主要在夜间活动，以昆虫、小型哺乳动物、爬行动物和其他鸟类为食。白天，其斑驳的羽色提供了极佳的伪装效果；而夜幕降临后，它低沉而神秘的鸣叫则成为发现其踪迹的重要线索。
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Spectacled owl 眼镜鸮
The Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) is a large tropical owl found in Central and South American forests. It is named for the pale “spectacles” surrounding its dark eyes. With rich brown plumage, a distinctive facial pattern, and a deep, resonant call, it hunts mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects mainly at night.
The first two images feature adult birds, while the last shows a juvenile.
眼镜鸮（Pulsatrix perspicillata）是一种分布于中美洲和南美洲热带森林中的大型猫头鹰。它因眼睛周围明显的浅色眼镜状羽纹而得名。它拥有浓郁的棕色羽毛、独特的面部图案以及低沉浑厚的鸣叫声，主要在夜间捕食小型哺乳动物、鸟类、爬行动物和昆虫。
前两张照片是成鸟，而最后一张展示的是幼鸟。
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