Cloud-forest screech owl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cloud-forest screech owl |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Megascops
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| Species: |
marshalli
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| Synonyms | |
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Otus marshalli Weske & Terborgh, 1981 |
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The cloud-forest screech owl (its scientific name is Megascops marshalli) is a type of owl. It belongs to the Strigidae family, which includes many well-known owls. You can find this special owl living in the countries of Bolivia and Peru.
Contents
About the Cloud-Forest Screech Owl
This owl is quite unique! It is the only species in its group, meaning it doesn't have any subspecies. Scientists believe its closest relatives are the cinnamon screech owl and the Yungas screech owl. The owl's scientific name, marshalli, honors Joe T. Marshall, who was a famous expert on night birds.
What Does It Look Like?
The cloud-forest screech owl is a small owl, usually about 20 to 23 cm (7.9 to 9.1 in) long. That's about the size of a small ruler! A male owl might weigh around 105 g (3.7 oz), while a female can be a bit heavier at 115 g (4.1 oz).
It has a reddish-brown face with dark edges, and white "eyebrows" above its dark brown eyes. It also has short "ear" tufts, which are actually just feathers that stick up. Its back and head are a rich reddish-brown with dark spots, and it has a light brown "collar" on its neck. When its wings are folded, you can see a line of white spots. Its tail has stripes. The owl's chest is reddish-brown with dark streaks, and its belly is off-white with dark lines.
Where Does It Live?
The cloud-forest screech owl lives in cloud forests. These are very humid forests often covered in mist, with lots of moss, ferns, and plants growing on trees (called epiphytes). The forest floor is usually very dense with plants.
This owl was first thought to live only in parts of central and southern Peru, in areas like Pasco, Cuzco, and Puno. But since 2005, it has also been found in northern Bolivia! It prefers to live at high elevations, usually between 1,900 to 2,600 m (6,200 to 8,500 ft) above sea level, and possibly even higher.
Owl Behavior
What Does It Eat?
The cloud-forest screech owl hunts for its food high up in the trees, in the forest canopy. Scientists believe it mostly eats insects.
How Does It Raise Its Young?
We don't know much about how the cloud-forest screech owl raises its babies. It seems to breed (have young) between late June and August. Like other owls in its group, it probably makes its nest in holes found in trees.
What Does It Sound Like?
The song of the cloud-forest screech owl is a continuous series of "hoots" that all sound the same. The hoots get louder and louder, then suddenly stop. It also sometimes makes a short, trill-like sound.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the cloud-forest screech owl as "Near Threatened." This means that while it's not in immediate danger, it could become threatened in the future. This is because it lives in a very small area, so any threats to its forest home could seriously affect its population.
