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====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
There are 6 subspecies in this taxon: <!--- Comments: the reason that I deleted all references for subspecies is that Clements does not yet recognize this species, and IOC splits it further; I assume we are mainly in agreement with H&M but I do not have that list of subspecies ---> | There are 6 subspecies in this taxon: <!--- Comments: the reason that I deleted all references for subspecies is that Clements does not yet recognize this species, and IOC splits it further; I assume we are mainly in agreement with H&M but I do not have that list of subspecies ---> | ||
| − | *''M. | + | *''M. v. vermiculatus'': [[Costa Rica]] (and western [[Panama]]?) |
| − | *''M. | + | *''M. v. centralis'': '''Choco Screech Owl''': central [[Panama]] to northern [[Colombia]] and western [[Ecuador]] |
| − | *''M. | + | *''M. v. roraimae'': '''Roraima Screech Owl''': Tepuis of south-eastern [[Venezuela]] and adjacent northern [[Brazil]] |
| − | *''M. | + | *''M. v. napensis'': '''Rio Napo Screech-Owl''' (if considered a full species includes the following two subspecies): Tropical eastern [[Ecuador]] and eastern [[Colombia]] |
| − | *''M. | + | *''M. v. helleri'': Tropical eastern [[Peru]] |
| − | *''M. | + | *''M. v. bolivianus'': Tropical northern [[Bolivia]] (Cochabamba) |
Some authors splits this taxon into four species. Especially contentious is Choco Screech Owl (''Megascops centralis'') Hekstra, 1982, which some considers a full species and others feel is a synonym of ''vermiculatus'' and therefore not a valid subspecies<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. | Some authors splits this taxon into four species. Especially contentious is Choco Screech Owl (''Megascops centralis'') Hekstra, 1982, which some considers a full species and others feel is a synonym of ''vermiculatus'' and therefore not a valid subspecies<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. | ||
Revision as of 01:11, 20 July 2014
- Megascops vermiculatus
Otus vermiculatus
Includes Rio Napo Screech-Owl; Roraima Screech-Owl; Choco Screech Owl
Identification
23cm
- Medium brown
- Under parts heavily streaked with fine crossbars
- Darker brown streaks on forehead
- Yellow iris
- Greenish yellow bill
- Indistinct white eyebrows
Distribution
Costa Rica to Colombia and Venezuela, and further down through Ecuador, Peru , and northern Bolivia
Taxonomy
This and almost all Screech Owls in the Americas have previously been considered to belong in the same genus (Otus) as the European and Asian Scops-Owls, but a reassignment to Megascops have been accepted by among other authorities, the American Ornithologists' Union.
Subspecies
There are 6 subspecies in this taxon:
- M. v. vermiculatus: Costa Rica (and western Panama?)
- M. v. centralis: Choco Screech Owl: central Panama to northern Colombia and western Ecuador
- M. v. roraimae: Roraima Screech Owl: Tepuis of south-eastern Venezuela and adjacent northern Brazil
- M. v. napensis: Rio Napo Screech-Owl (if considered a full species includes the following two subspecies): Tropical eastern Ecuador and eastern Colombia
- M. v. helleri: Tropical eastern Peru
- M. v. bolivianus: Tropical northern Bolivia (Cochabamba)
Some authors splits this taxon into four species. Especially contentious is Choco Screech Owl (Megascops centralis) Hekstra, 1982, which some considers a full species and others feel is a synonym of vermiculatus and therefore not a valid subspecies[2].
Habitat
Lowlands and foothills to between 1200 m and 1800 m including sides of Tepuis, in humid dense forest often with many epiphytes.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes. as well as insects, most like small vertebrates too.
Breeding
They nests in tree cavity or old nest hole of other bird. The clutch consists of 2-3 eggs which are laid during March and April.
References
- Planetofbirds
- König, C. and F. Weick 2008. Owls of the World, second edition. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Vermiculated Screech-Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Vermiculated_Screech-Owl
