Pacific Screech Owl

Overview

The Pacific screech owl (Megascops cooperi) is a medium-sized owl in the family Strigidae, recognised as distinct from the western and eastern screech owls due to its unique vocalisations. Although the IUCN lists the species as being of Least Concern, its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Medium-sized owl with prominent "ear" tufts and bright yellow eyes.
• Nominate subspecies is 23 to 26 cm long with a pale gray facial disc bordered by white and blackish edges.
• Upperparts are pale tawny gray with dusky and black vermiculation; underparts are off-white with a darker herringbone pattern.
• Vocalisations vary by subspecies, including "prrr pu-pu-PU-PU-PU-pu-pu" for the nominate and a staccato "croarrr-gogogogogogok" for M. c. lambi.

Habitat

The species inhabits a wide variety of vegetation communities, including swamp forest, mangroves, arid and semi-arid woodland, open country with scattered trees, and secondary forest. Its range extends from eastern Oaxaca and Chiapas in Mexico, south along the Pacific slope through Central America into northwestern Costa Rica, and in the south also onto the upper Caribbean slope.

Diet

Nocturnal and crepuscular, this owl hunts from low perches in clearings and woodland edges by pouncing or sallying. Its diet consists mainly of large insects, but also includes other arthropods such as scorpions and small vertebrates like birds and flying squirrels.

Did you know?

The two subspecies possess distinct primary songs, with the nominate subspecies producing a rhythmic "prrr pu-pu-PU-PU-PU-pu-pu" call, while M. c. lambi emits a staccato "croarrr-gogogogogogok".