Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl (Megascops watsonii)

Identification & Behavior: ~24 cm (9.4 in). The Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl has gray and reddish-brown color morphs. The iris is brown in all color morphs, but amber in a rare gray morph. The length of the ear tufts is variable. It favors interior forests, therefore it is the less seen and photographed screech-owl around lodges, towns, and agricultural fields. It is similar to the Tropical Screech-Owl but is distinguished by having a brown belly, a buffy nuchal collar, brown iris, and favoring interior forest habitats. The voice should be an important identification tool.

Status: The Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl is common in Amazonia and seems not to range higher than 700 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Lechuza de Vientre Leonado.

Sub-species: Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl (Megascops watsonii watsonii) (Cassin), 1849. Lowlands from E Colombia S to NE Peru (N of Amazon River ) to Amazonian Brazil.
(M, w. usta) (P. L. Sclater), 1858. Estern Peru and S Amazonian Brazil S to lowland forest of N Bolivia and N Mato Grosso.

Meaning of Name: Megascops: Gr. Megas, megale= large, great and scops= an owl. In reference of Old World generally eared owls watsonii: In honor of Dr. Gavin Watson (1796-1858), physician and zoologist of the United States.

See more of the Family Strigidae