Cinnamon Screech-Owl (Megascops petersoni)

Identification & Behavior: ~23.5 cm (9.2 in). The Cinnamon Screech-Owl can be rufous, cinnamon, or reddish. The underparts show “fishbone” streaks. The iris is always dark. It has a buffy nuchal collar and generally shows black or dusky fringes to the facial discs. It is similar to the more common and widespread Rufescent Screech-Owl, but is distinguished by having dusky fringes to the facial discs and by being overall more “cinnamon”. These two screech-owls are likely to overlap only within the limited range of the Cinnamon Screech-Owl, which is generally found at higher elevations. The voice, elevation, and range should be considered for a proper identification.

Status: The Cinnamon Screech-Owl is uncommon and restricted to a few known locations on the east slope of the northern Andes. It is generally recorded at elevations ranging within 1700-2500 m. It also occurs in Ec.

Name in Spanish: Lechuza Canela.

Sub-species: Cinnamon Screech-Owl (Megascops petersoni), Fitzpatrick and O’Neill, 1986.

Meaning of Name: Megascops: Gr. Megas, megale= large, great and scops= an owl. petersonii: In honor of Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996) US pioneer field ornithologist, and artist.

See more of the Family Strigidae