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Submitted: July 29, 2009
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Archistrix nigrocephalaby ~turtle-rn

Digital Art / Drawings & Paintings / Fantasy

Archistrix is a genus of very large to truly gigantic owls in the Archistrigidae family. It contains six species collectively known as ruby-eyed owls. They are lank bodied birds with large heads, long tails and proportionately thick legs and feet with powerful talons. All are endemic to the lush verdant Laarkhor cloud forest.

In contrast with typical owls' cryptic plumage, Archistrix species have evolved odd ornamental features, in particular oversized head tufts and highly elongated feathers springing from the nape, rump or beneath their wings. Unlike typical owls, they do construct nests usually in the highest forest trees.

The bristle-browed archistrix (Archistrix nigrocephala) is the best known species, due to its partially crepuscular habits. It specializes in hunting small pterosaurs; its nest is generally found near its main prey's night-time roost sites.