Mountain forest screech owl
| Mountain forest screech owl | ||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Megascops hoyi | ||||||||||
| ( König & Straneck , 1989) |
The mountain forest screech owl ( Megascops hoyi ) is a species from the family of real owls. It occurs exclusively in South America.
Appearance
With a body size of about 24 centimeters, the mountain forest screech owl is a medium-sized species within its genus. It has relatively short, but conspicuous feather ears . The face veil is limited by an indistinct, darker feather edge. The species occurs in three color morphs. Besides a gray morph there are brown and red ones. The brown color morphs are the most common. The underside of the body has noticeable vertical stripes. The eyes are yellow.
Within its range, the mountain forest screech owl can be confused with several other owl species. The Choliba screech owl is significantly smaller and has shorter feather ears. It also inhabits somewhat lower altitudes. The Rio Napo screech owl is the same size as the mountain forest screech owl, but the underside of the body is speckled.
distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the mountain forest screech owl is the eastern slopes of the Andes from Cochabamba in Bolivia to Salta , Jujuy and Tucumán in Argentina. It may also be found in the Province of Catamarca in Argentina. The habitat of the mountain forest screech owl are mountain forests at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,800 meters above sea level. It is not yet clear whether the mountain forest screech owl is a stationary or a migratory bird. Mountain forest screech owls, which inhabit higher altitudes, probably move to lower altitudes in winter.
Way of life
The mountain forest screech owl is a nocturnal species of owl. Their food spectrum consists of insects and spiders. The breeding season usually begins in the months of August and September. Tree holes are usually used as nesting sites. The clutch size and breeding season have not yet been adequately researched. Presumably, however, their clutch consists of two to three eggs that are incubated by the female alone.
Single receipts
literature
- Claus König , Friedhelm Weick: Owls of the World . Christopher Helm, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
Web link
- Megascops hoyi inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
- Diego Ortiz, Carlos Barrionuevo, Patricia Capllonch, Luís Julio, Rodrigo Aráoz: ACERCA DE LA DISTRIBUCIÓN E HISTORIA NATURAL DEL ALILICUCU YUNGUEÑO (Megascops hoyi) EN EL NOROESTE ARGENTINO in OBSERVACIONES DE CAMPO (PDF)