Santa Marta Screech Owl

Overview

The Santa Marta screech owl (Megascops gilesi) is a species of owl found exclusively in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia. Formally described in 2017, it is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its restricted range and declining habitat.

Identification

• Medium-sized owl with reddish to grayish-brown head, back, chest, and wings, contrasting with a pale belly.
• Crown and back are barred, the chest features darker brown streaks, and the belly has pale brown barring.
• Tarsi are covered in golden-buff feathers.

Habitat

This species is endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia, with almost all records located on the San Lorenzo ridge and nearby areas accessible to bird tour groups. It inhabits humid forest between 1,800 and 2,500 m in elevation, though it may range higher.

Did you know?

The species was not formally described until 2017, yet a specimen collected in 1919 was found to be in breeding condition, providing the only known data regarding its breeding.