Chaco Owl

The Chaco owl (Strix chacoensis) is an owl found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. == Taxonomy and systematics == The Chaco owl was originally described as a species, then quickly reclassified as a subspecies of rufous-legged owl (Strix rufipes). A 1995 paper provided strong morphological and vocal evidence that the original treatment as a species in its own right was correct. Later work showed that it is probably more closely related to the rusty-barred owl (S. hylophila) than to the rufous-legged. It is monotypic. == Description == The Chaco owl is 35 to 38 cm (14 to 15 in) long. Males weigh 360 to 435 g (12.7 to 15.3 oz) and females 420 to 500 g (15 to 18 oz). It has a round head with no ear tufts. Adults have a pale grayish white facial disk with concentric dark lines. Their upperparts are dusky brownish black with narrow white and yellowish buff barring. Their underparts are off-white with dark brown barring. The tail is dark grayish brown with narrow pale bars. == Distribution and habitat == The Chaco owl is found in southern South America, from Bolivia's Santa Cruz Department south through western Paraguay into north-central Argentina as far…