Sao Tome Scops-Owl

Set apart from other barwings in its range by its pure white belly and an orangish wash over the front of the face. Like other barwings, it forages in pairs and small flocks, sometimes with other species. Gives a range of different calls, with its most distinctive one being a three-note whistle in which the third note is considerably lower than the first two.

Beautiful orangish raptor with a widespread distribution across Central and South America. Overall cinnamon-colored with dark barring on the underparts. Upperparts are darker brown except for contrasting cinnamon shoulders. In flight, note white tail band and mostly cinnamon flight feathers. Immatures can be mostly whitish on the head and belly, often with heavy dark markings. Note shape (short-tailed and long-legged) and habitat. Singles or pairs are found in open habitats, often perched conspicuously on a fence post or treetop.

Small owl restricted to cloud forest in Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains. Plumage is almost identical to that of Tropical Screech-Owl, with which it was confused until differences in voice were noted. Color is variable and ranges from dull brown to rusty. Typical song is a rapid series of soft notes that rises and then falls in pitch; it is much longer and steadier than the song of Tropical Screech-Owl, which is found in lower and drier parts of the mountains. Regularly encountered in and around El Dorado Nature Reserve.