- Megascops koepckeae
Otus koepckeae
Identification
Dark grey with short ear tufts. Eyes are yellow.
Distribution
Two separate populations in Peru and Bolivia; however, a recent report doubts that it occurs in Bolivia[2].
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 2 subspecies[1]:
- M. k. koepckeae:
- West slope of Andes of Peru from Lambayeque to Lima, and Marañón valley in Amazonas
- M. k. hockingi:
- inter-Andean valleys of central Peru
Habitat
Occurs in woodland at high elevation from temperate zone and above up to 4500 m asl. Polylepis is one of the woodland types containing this owl.
Behaviour
Nocturnal, roosting during the day. Habits are poorly known.
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
Photo © by antshrike69
Northern Peru]]
Photo © by antshrike69
Northern Peru]]
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Birdforum thread discussing taxonomy and range of Koepcke's Screech-Owl
- 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. (2025) Koepcke's Screech-Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 5 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Koepcke%27s_Screech-Owl
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
