Speck Screech Owl
| Speck Screech Owl | ||||||||||
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Spotted Screech Owl ( Megascops trichopsis ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Megascops trichopsis | ||||||||||
| ( Wagler , 1832) |
The spotted screech owl ( Megascops trichopsis ) is a species from the family of real owls. It occurs in three subspecies exclusively in North and Central America.
Appearance
With a body size of about 18 centimeters, the spotted screech owl is a relatively small species within its genus. It occurs in two color morphs and has either gray-brown or reddish plumage. It also has short, very inconspicuous feather ears . The eyes are yellow. The feet are relatively small for an owl of its size.
The Ponderosa Scops Owl is similar in size to the Spotted Screech Owl, but has brown eyes. The teardrop screech owl is like the speckled screech owl a type of the mountain forests, but has a clearly darker face. The other screech owls that occur in the distribution area of the fleck screech owl are all significantly larger.
distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the spotted screech owl stretches from the southeast of Arizona over Mexico to Nicaragua. It is a resident bird that predominantly populates mountain forests at altitudes between 750 and 2,500 meters above sea level.
Way of life
The spot screech owl is a nocturnal species of owl. It transmits in the dense foliage of trees and then usually sits in the immediate vicinity of the tree trunk. The males let their singing be heard as soon as dusk falls. At the beginning of the reproductive period, mostly males and females can be heard and they then often sing alternately. The territory is vigorously defended against intruders.
The food spectrum consists mainly of insects. It also eats caterpillars and occasionally beats small vertebrates. It hunts mainly by looking for insects on branches. The clutch consists of three to four white eggs. Only the female breeds and is supplied with food by the male.
supporting documents
Single receipts
- ↑ König et al., P. 286
literature
- Claus König , Friedhelm Weick: Owls of the World . Christopher Helm, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
Web link
- Megascops trichopsis inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2014.