The Stygian Owl is a medium-sized to large owl with prominent, erectile ear-tufts. The adjective Stygian means 'gloomy and dark' and refers to the river Styx, which, in Greek mythology, the souls of the dead cross to reach the underworld.

It is found in Mexico, parts of Central America, Cuba, Hispaniola, and 10 countries in South America.

The stygian owl is 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in) long and weighs about 400 to 675 g (14 to 24 oz). The sexes have similar very dark plumage. The face is blackish with a pale border and a whitish forehead, and the head has long dark feathers that project upward as "ears". The dark upper parts have buff streaks and bars; the underparts are a dingy buff with dark brown or blackish barring and streaks.

The eyes are shades of vivid, orange-yellow and glow bright red when illuminated by artificial light, the bill blue-black to blackish, and the feet dark grayish or brownish pink.

The stygian owl is nocturnal. The largest part of its diet is birds, from very small ones to some as large as the 150 g (5.3 oz). It is thought that most birds are caught on their night time roosts. The diet also includes bats (which are seldom preyed on by other owls), some other mammals, frogs, and insects. Also in contrast to other owls, rodents do not appear to be part of its diet.

The stygian owl's song has been variously described as "a single deep, emphatic woof or wupf", "a very low and loud hu or hu-hu", and "a muffled hoot given singly: boo".

More Info: en.wikipedia.org