From Opus

Photo by rb_stern
Location: Cuba, February 2009

Alternative name: Cuban Screech-Owl

Gymnoglaux lawrencii

[edit] Identification

Underside is pale with dark shaft streaks -- these may have drop-like shape. Upperside including back of head and crown darker brown, on adult with white spots especially on wings. There are no feather tufts that can be raised in alarm. Tail may be plain or more often barred. Legs lack feathering, eyes brown, bill yellowish.

[edit] Distribution

Cuba and Isle of Pines.

[edit] Taxonomy

Bare-legged Owl has previously been assigned to the genus Otus; it is currently the only member of the genus Gymnoglaux.

[edit] Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized^[1] (but some sources lump them to one):

• G. l. exsul :

• Western Cuba and Isle of Pines

• G. l. lawrencii:

• Central and eastern Cuba

[edit] Habitat

Wooded areas.

[edit] Behaviour

Nocturnal, feeding mainly on insects and other arthropods, more rarely vertebrates up to small birds; much of the food seeking happens on the ground. It stays during the day in caves, crevices, cavities, or in dense leaf-cover.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. König, C. and F. Weick 2008. Owls of the World, second edition. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
3. Raffaele et al. 1998. Birds of the West Indies. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0713649054
4. Wikipedia

• List of references

[edit] External Links