Stygian Owl - Region 7
NOTE: Some of the individuals here may be pending review by the Texas Bird Records Committee (TBRC) or be unsubmitted. All review species listed here that have been through the review process are followed by the TBRC number and Texas Photo Record File (TPRF) number whenever possible.
Map of Observations. These maps show all the counties in which a review species has been observed. They do not show the total number of observations as there can be multiple observations in a single county.
Click on maps to enlarge.
Observation reviewed from written details
Observation reviewed from written and photographic details
Photo by Jim Culbertson
Stygian Owl - Hidalgo Co., December 26, 1996
At the time a first for the ABA area, this Stygian Owl was discovered by Nathan Wright and his parents John and Paula Wright of Greenville, North Carolina, when it was seen being harassed by a Gray Hawk. The bird remained all day at this perch providing great views for lucky folks like Jim and Pat Culbertson. Jim photographed it from about 60 feet away with an EF 300mm F2.8 lens and Canon 2x extender. The bird was last seen flying off at dusk. It was never relocated.
See John Arvin's Comments on the species range and biology.
See below for what was belatedly the first Stygian Owl documented in the United States:
Photo by Mel Cooksey
Stygian Owl - Hidalgo Co., December 9, 1994. One at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP, Hidalgo, on 9 December 1994 TBRC# 1998-46; TPRF 1705. This represents the second accepted Texas and U. S. record. This bird was found two years prior to the first accepted record, which was from the same location.
Originally presumed to be a odd Long-eared Owl, this record lay dormant in the photographer's archives. Recently (after the bird of December 1996) the photo was re-examined and its true identity discovered.