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Alternative name: Guatemalan Screech Owl
- Megascops guatemalae
Otus guatemalae
Identification
Distribution
Widely distributed from northern Mexico to Nicaragua
Taxonomy
Seven subspecies are currently recognized[1]:
- M. g. tomlini
- M. g. hastatus
- M. g. cassini
- M. g. fuscus
- M. g. thompsoni
- M. g. guatemalae
- M. g. dacrysistactus
This taxon used to include Vermiculated Screech Owl, split mainly based on analysis of vocalization.
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.
Habitat
Behaviour
Nocturnal, usually hiding in tree cavities or among branches with high leaf cover.
Food is mainly invertebrates with some small vertebrates taken.
References
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2012. IOC World Bird Names (version 3.2). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- 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. (2021) Middle American Screech Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 May 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Middle_American_Screech_Owl
