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The Stygian Owl is one of the more mysterious members of an already elusive, often misunderstood family of birds. It’s similar to a Long-eared Owl in structure, but the Stygian is larger and darker, with sooty-brown upperparts and heavy dark barring on its chest and belly. This owl’s vivid, orange-yellow eyes glow bright red when illuminated by artificial light, and with some creativity, its long, close-set ear tufts can appear to be horns. Its eerie appearance gives the Stygian Owl an otherworldly aura, and some human observers associate owls, particularly this species, with evil and witchcraft. In Brazil, the Stygian Owl is known as “coruja-diabo,“ or “mocho diablo” — the “devil’s owl.” Even this owl’s scientific name gives a nod to its supposedly diabolic nature — but how? Find out here: Videos: Herbert Noventa (201685101), Tini & Jacob Wijpkema (201711081), Wayne Hall (201112161)/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithol
