| Santa Marta screech owl | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Megascops |
| Species: | M. gilesi |
| Binomial name | |
| Megascops gilesi Krabbe, 2017 | |
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The Santa Marta screech owl (Megascops gilesi) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found only in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of Colombia. [3] [4]
The Santa Marta screech owl was formally described in 2017, though a specimen collected in 1919 was thought at the time to perhaps be a "distinct form". Relatively recent sightings of individuals that have been retroactively assigned to the species predate 2017. It is thought to be most closely related to West Peruvian screech owl (M. roboratus), tawny-bellied screech owl (M. watsonii), and black-capped screech owl (M. atricapilla). [3] [4] [5]
The Santa Marta screech owl is a medium-sized member of genus Megascops, though the length and mass of the 1919 specimen were not published. The plumage is similar to that of others of its genus, having a reddish to grayish-brown head, back, chest, and wings and a pale belly. The crown and back are barred, the chest has darker brown streaks, and the belly has pale brown barring. The tarsi have golden-buff feathers. [4]
The Santa Marta screech owl is known only from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia. Almost all records are from the San Lorenzo ridge and nearby areas, which have easy access and are regularly visited by bird tour groups. There are a smaller number of eBird reports in the central part of the mountain range. The species is thought to inhabit humid forest from 1,800 to 2,500 m (5,900 to 8,200 ft) but may possibly range higher. [4] [5]
Nothing is known about the species' diet and foraging behavior. The only data relative to breeding is that the type specimen was in breeding condition when collected in March 1919.
The IUCN has classed the Santa Marta screech owl as Vulnerable. [1] The species has a restricted range, being found only in the relatively small Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Most of the native forest cover has been replaced by pine and eucalyptus plantations and livestock pastures. The species' estimated population is 2300 to 7500 mature individuals and its suitable habitat and population are believed to be declining. [4]
The Puerto Rican owl or múcaro común, formerly known as the Puerto Rican screech owl, is a mid-sized "typical owl" in subfamily Striginae. It is endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico though it formerly also inhabited the Virgin Islands.
The white-throated screech owl is a small owl found in the Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
The Santa Marta parakeet is an Endangered species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Colombia.
The black-capped screech owl, or variable screech owl, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
The tropical screech owl is a small species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, and every mainland South American country.
The bare-shanked screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is a large owl that feeds at night in forests and lives in a family size group, even during breeding season. The owl's range is only in Costa Rica, Panama, and far northwestern Colombia. The owl preys on large insects, shrews, and small rodents.
The Pacific screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. The Pacific screech owl has sometimes been treated as a race of western screech owl or eastern screech owl but its vocalizations are distinct from theirs. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate M. c. cooperi and M. c. lambi. The latter has also sometimes been treated as a separate species. The IUCN has assessed the Pacific screech owl as being of Least Concern. Its population is estimated to exceed 50,000 mature individuals but is believed to be decreasing.
The rufescent screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Koepcke's screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to Peru.
The cloud-forest screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
The cinnamon screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in the Andes of Ecuador and Peru and possibly Colombia.
The West Peruvian screech owl or Peruvian screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
The long-tufted screech owl is a species of "typical owl" in the subfamily Striginae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.
The Balsas screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to Mexico.
The tawny-bellied screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
The Santa Marta wren is a species of bird in the family Troglodytidae. It is endemic to Colombia.
Screech owls are typical owls (Strigidae) belonging to the genus Megascops with 23 living species. For most of the 20th century, this genus was merged with the Old World scops owls in Otus, but nowadays it is again considered separately based on a range of behavioral, biogeographical, morphological, and DNA sequence data.
The foothill screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
The Chocó screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found from central Panama to western Ecuador.
The vermiculated screech owl, is a subspecies, or possibly separate species, of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
