White-throated Screech Owl

Overview

The white-throated screech owl (Megascops albogularis) is a small, nocturnal owl native to the Andes of South America. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with a population that is believed to be stable despite a lack of precise census data.

Identification

• A large member of its genus, measuring 20 to 26 cm in length and weighing 130 to 185 g.
• Adults feature dark plumage with a round head, very small ear tufts, and a longish tail; the nominate subspecies has a dark brown head and upperparts marked with small blackish, reddish, and white spots.
• A distinct dark facial disc surrounds orange eyes, accompanied by whitish marks and a large white area below the bill that can resemble large moustaches.
• The primary male song consists of gruff, barked notes described as 'churrochurro-churro-chu chu chu chu', while a secondary song comprises evenly spaced hoots delivered at approximately five per second.

Habitat

Found in the Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, this species inhabits the interior and edges of open humid evergreen montane forest, cloud forest, and semi-open areas with scattered trees. Its typical elevation range is between 2,000 and 3,000 m, though it has been recorded as low as 1,300 m and as high as 3,700 m on the east slope of the Peruvian Andes.

Diet

As a nocturnal forager, the white-throated screech owl hunts within the forest canopy. Its diet consists primarily of insects and other arthropods, with occasional consumption of small vertebrates.

Did you know?

Unlike most other members of the genus Megascops that utilise cavities for nesting, this species has been reported to nest either on the ground or by adopting an old cup nest constructed by another species.