Cinnamon Screech Owl

Overview

The cinnamon screech owl (Megascops petersoni) is a small owl species in the family Strigidae. It is found in the Andes of Ecuador and Peru, and possibly in Colombia.

Identification

• Small screech owl, 23 to 24 cm long, weighing 88 to 119 g.
• Warm brown facial disc with a blackish border and buffy face, dark brown eyes, blue-gray bill, and medium-length ear tufts.
• Upper parts cinnamon brown with fine darker brown and buffy vermiculation; wings and tail cinnamon with brownish and blackish bars.
• Underparts rich cinnamon buff with warm brown wavy marks on the throat and chest.
• Primary song is a flat series of hoots; aggressive song described as "pu-pu-pu-pu-pu pu pu pu pu pu" that starts fast, slows abruptly, and rises in pitch.

Habitat

Inhabits humid montane forest on the eastern slope of the Andes from southern Ecuador into northern Peru, and possibly Colombia. Elevation ranges from 1,650 to 2,225 m in Ecuador and 1,700 to 2,450 m in Peru.

Diet

Nocturnal, like most members of its genus, though its hunting practices are not well known. Diet includes large arthropods and probably small vertebrates.

Did you know?

The specific epithet petersoni honours Roger Tory Peterson, known as the father of modern field guides.