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Medium-large owl upto 23cm or 9 inches. It brown with dark streaks on the chest and longish ear tufts. | Medium-large owl upto 23cm or 9 inches. It brown with dark streaks on the chest and longish ear tufts. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | The Pacific coast of [[Mexico]] and [[Central America]], to Central [[Costa Rica]]. | + | The Pacific coast of south-central [[Mexico]] and [[Central America]], to Central [[Costa Rica]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | Three subspecies are recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: ''lambi'', ''chiapensis'', and ''cooperi''. Some authorities<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup> include ''chiapensis'' within ''cooperi'' but split the remaining two taxa into separate species: Pacific Screech-Owl ''M. cooperi'' and Oaxaca Screech-owl ''M. lambi''. The subspecies ''lambi'' has in the past been included in [[Eastern Screech-Owl]] but differs among other things in having bristled toes (not feathered). | ||
| + | |||
This and almost all Screech Owls in the Americas have previously been considered to belong in the same genus (''Otus'') as the European and Asian Scops-Owls, but a reassignment to Megascops have been accepted by among other authorities, the American Ornithologists' Union. | This and almost all Screech Owls in the Americas have previously been considered to belong in the same genus (''Otus'') as the European and Asian Scops-Owls, but a reassignment to Megascops have been accepted by among other authorities, the American Ornithologists' Union. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
It is found in wooded areas as well as semi open sites such as forest edges and trees along waterways. | It is found in wooded areas as well as semi open sites such as forest edges and trees along waterways. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | They are | + | They are nocturnal but also sometimes seen at twilight, preying mostly on large insects (such as moths, beetles, scorpiones) along with the occasional small rodent. |
| + | |||
| + | Voice of the Oaxaca S.-O. form differs from the voice of birds from the rest of this taxon<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | # Clements, James F. 2007. ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World''. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019 | ||
| + | # König, C. and F. Weick 2008. Owls of the World, second edition. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2 | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Screech+cooperi}} | {{GSearch|Screech+cooperi}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Megascops]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Megascops]] | ||
Revision as of 20:08, 2 August 2009
- Megascops cooperi
Otus cooperi
Includes Oaxaca Screech-Owl
Identification
Medium-large owl upto 23cm or 9 inches. It brown with dark streaks on the chest and longish ear tufts.
Distribution
The Pacific coast of south-central Mexico and Central America, to Central Costa Rica.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies are recognized[1]: lambi, chiapensis, and cooperi. Some authorities[2] include chiapensis within cooperi but split the remaining two taxa into separate species: Pacific Screech-Owl M. cooperi and Oaxaca Screech-owl M. lambi. The subspecies lambi has in the past been included in Eastern Screech-Owl but differs among other things in having bristled toes (not feathered).
This and almost all Screech Owls in the Americas have previously been considered to belong in the same genus (Otus) as the European and Asian Scops-Owls, but a reassignment to Megascops have been accepted by among other authorities, the American Ornithologists' Union.
Habitat
It is found in wooded areas as well as semi open sites such as forest edges and trees along waterways.
Behaviour
They are nocturnal but also sometimes seen at twilight, preying mostly on large insects (such as moths, beetles, scorpiones) along with the occasional small rodent.
Voice of the Oaxaca S.-O. form differs from the voice of birds from the rest of this taxon[2].
References
- Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
- König, C. and F. Weick 2008. Owls of the World, second edition. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
