Balsas screech owl
| Balsas screech owl | ||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Megascops seductus | ||||||||||
| ( RT Moore , 1941) |
The balsas screech owl ( Megascops seductus ) is a species from the family of real owls. It occurs exclusively in the extreme south of North America. In older literature it is occasionally listed as a subspecies of the Western Screech Owl . However, their repertoire of calls differs so much from this species that Claus König and Friedhelm Weick list it as an independent species in their 2008 owl monograph.
Appearance
With a body size of about 25 centimeters, the balsas screech owl is a relatively large species within its genus. It has gray-brown plumage and short but conspicuous feather ears . The bottom of the body is slightly paler than the top of the body. The eyes are brown. The claws are relatively strong for an owl of its size.
There is a possibility of confusion with the West and Oaxaca screech owls . However, both species have yellow eyes and are smaller. This also applies to the Guatemala and the Patch Screech Owl . Basically, the species can be most clearly distinguished by their song and their calls.
distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the balsas screech owl is the southwest of Mexico. It is a resident bird that prefers to colonize arid, semi-open regions with isolated trees and shrubs and thorn forests. Their height distribution ranges from 600 to 1,500 meters above sea level.
Way of life
The way of life of the balsas screech owl is largely unexplored. What is certain is that insects make up a large part of their prey spectrum.
supporting documents
Single receipts
literature
- Claus König , Friedhelm Weick: Owls of the World . Christopher Helm, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
- Robert Thomas Moore: Three new races in the genus Otus from central Mexico . In: Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington . tape 54 , 1941, pp. 151–159 ( online [accessed January 29, 2015]).
Web link
- Megascops seductus inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Endangered Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2014.