Cinnamon Screech-Owl
Megascops petersoni
Small screech-owl with a scattered distribution in the Andes. It inhabits cloud forest in southeastern Ecuador and northern Peru, as well as a few locations in Colombia and Venezuela. Most birds have bright cinnamon-buff plumage, but some are brown and tan. Distinguished from the similar Rufescent Screech-Owl by the lack of any white marks on the shoulders, and by voice. Song is a fast, rising and falling series of soft “pu” notes. The speed at which the notes are given is quite variable.
Identification
The cinnamon screech owl is a small screech owl, 23 to 24 cm (9.1 to 9.4 in) long and weighing 88 to 119 g (3.1 to 4.2 oz). Adults have has a warm brown facial disc with a blackish border and the rest of the face is buffy. They have dark brown eyes, a blue-gray bill, and medium-length "ear" tufts. Their upperparts are cinnamon brown with fine darker brown and buffy vermiculation. The wings and tail are cinnamon as well with brownish and blackish bars. The underparts are a rich cinnamon buff with some warm brown wavy marks on the throat and chest. No juvenile has been described.
Taxonomy
The cinnamon screech owl was first described to science in 1986, one of several Megascops owls described at about that time. Its specific epithet honors Roger Tory Peterson, "the father of modern field guides". Its exact relationships to others of its genus are inexact, but it is thought to be most closely relate to the rufescent screech owl (M. ingens) and cloud-forest screech owl (M. marshalli). It is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Megascops petersoni
- Authority
- (Fitzpatrick & O'Neill, 1986)
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Megascops
Range and habitat
According to the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and the Clements taxonomy, the cinnamon screech owl is only known to occur on the eastern slope of the Andes from southern Ecuador into northern Peru. However, the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society (AOS/SACC) also places it in Colombia. It may also occur further south in Peru. It inhabits humid montane forest at elevations between 1,650 and 2,225 m (5,413 and 7,300 ft) in Ecuador and 1,700 and 2,450 m (5,580 and 8,040 ft) in Peru.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The cinnamon screech owl is nocturnal, like most others of its genus. Almost nothing is known about its hunting practices or diet, though the latter includes large arthropods and probably small vertebrates.<p>The cinnamon screech owl's breeding season, nest, and eggs have not been described. It is assumed to nest in tree cavities like others of its genus.<p>The cinnamon screech owl's primary (territorial) song is "a flat series of hoots" similar to but faster than that of the rufescent screech owl. Its aggressive song is described as "pu-pu-pu-pu-pu pu pu pu pu pu" that starts fast, abruptly slows, and rises in pitch.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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