The Black-banded owl (Strix huhula) is a striking species of medium to large owl, having a large, rounded head and no ear-tufts. Sexes are similar – barred black and white all over with darker flight feathers, a blackish facemask, and a yellow-orange bill and feet. The comparatively large eyes range from yellow through to dark brown. Colouring is generally designed for camouflage in woodland, and a number of the member of this genus have colour phases. There are 20 species scattered practically throughout the globe with the exception of Australasia, the South Pacific and Madagascar, where the genus Ninox takes its place. Black-and-white owls are primarily resident birds of Central America (they do not migrate). However, they are also found from central Mexico to northwest Venezuela, to western Ecuador and to the very northwestern part of Peru. Black-and-white owls are strictly terrestrial animals. They can be found near villages, forest edges, woodlands, and swamps. They prefer to live in humid to semi-humid evergreen or semi-deciduous forests at various elevations.
