An enormous, grayish owl with dark stripes framing the face. It has a pale,-horn-colored beak and large, dark eyes that are set off by weird and diagnostic fleshy-pink eyelids. Occurs from arid savanna to mesic woodland to riverine forest; prefers areas with some tall trees for breeding and roosting. Hunts medium-sized mammals; has been known to kill competitors, such as Pel’s Fishing-Owl. Its call, a deep guttural grunting “unngh-unngh”, is diagnostic.