The Crested Owl (lophostrix cristata) is a noctournal owl that prefers dense lowland thickets with thick vegetation, especially those along rivers. If disturbed during the day, it will slim its body and point its ear tufts upright. There are three known color morphs of crested owl: a dark chocolate brown, pale rufous brown, and a third greyish morph. However, the greyish morph is also considered to be a subspecies called lophostrix stricklandi.

Not much is known about elusive Crested Owl breeding. This isn't due to lack of numbers, as they are categorized as least concern. On that note, they live in undisturbed Amazon rainforest, so deforestation could become a huge threat for them in the future. However, what we do know about Crested Owls is that they mate in the dry season/early wet season. Additionally, they nest in holes in mature trees. They like to eat insects and smaller vertebrates, but they are opportunistic hunters and will eat bats if needed.

Crested Owls are found in Central and South America, but they are considered North American Owls because they can be consistently found in southern Mexico. Within this range, Crested Owls prefer habitats of tropical/subtropical moist lowland forest or montane forests. They are abundant in floodplains and old growth forests. In this rainforest range, Crested Owls prefer elevations of 1200m (Guatemala) to 1950m (Honduras cloud forest).

Fun facts:

- Crested Owl calls sound like frog croaks

- Mates have been seen roosting together during the day near rivers