- Megascops choliba
Otus choliba
Identification
20-24cm. Short ear tufts, yellow eyes, light grey, black edged facial disk, heavily streaked upper-parts and under-parts marked with herring bone pattern. Grey, brown and red colour morphs occur with intermediates.
Distribution
From Costa Rica through the northern half of South America including Trinidad but not found west of the Andes.
Taxonomy
Nine subspecies are recognized.
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
Savanna, open forest, plantations, parks, clearings. Mainly in lowland, can be found somewhat high as long as local weather is warm.
Behaviour
The diet includes insects and other invertebrates, occasionally snakes and small mammals.
1-4 eggs are laid in a tree cavity.
