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Alternative name: Guatemalan Screech Owl
- Megascops guatemalae
Otus guatemalae
Identification
Includes both greyish and reddish morphs. Generally boldly patterened, including a row of white spots across shoulder. Underside paler than upperside but with black shaft streaks and cross markings. Wings do not reach beyond tip of tail. Eyes orange-yellow, bill greenish.
Similar species
Distinguished from Vermiculated Screech Owl by having less vermiculations, longer tail, and by legs being feathered to toes.
Distribution
Widely distributed from northern Mexico to Nicaragua and probably to northern Costa Rica[2]
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
Lowland to mid elevation in both humid and dryer forests and woodland.
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
