Santa Marta screech owl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Marta screech owl |
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Megascops
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gilesi
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The Santa Marta screech owl (Megascops gilesi) is a small owl that lives only in a special mountain range called the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia. It's part of the owl family known as Strigidae.
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Discovering the Santa Marta Screech Owl
Scientists officially named and described the Santa Marta screech owl in 2017. However, a long time ago, in 1919, a special owl was found. People thought it might be a new type of owl even then. Later, other owls seen before 2017 were also identified as this species.
This owl is believed to be closely related to a few other screech owls. These include the West Peruvian screech owl (M. roboratus), the tawny-bellied screech owl (M. watsonii), and the black-capped screech owl (M. atricapilla).
What Does the Santa Marta Screech Owl Look Like?
The Santa Marta screech owl is a medium-sized owl in its group, Megascops. Its exact size and weight from the 1919 owl were not written down.
Its feathers are similar to other owls in its family. It has a reddish to grayish-brown color on its head, back, chest, and wings. Its belly is a lighter color. The top of its head and back have stripes. Its chest has darker brown streaks, and its belly has light brown stripes. The feathers on its legs are a golden-buff color.
Where Does the Santa Marta Screech Owl Live?
The Santa Marta screech owl is found only in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in northern Colombia. Most sightings are from a place called the San Lorenzo ridge and nearby areas. These spots are easy to reach and are often visited by groups who like to watch birds.
There are also a few reports of this owl from the middle part of the mountain range. Scientists believe this owl lives in humid (wet) forests. It is usually found at heights from 1,800 to 2,500 meters (about 5,900 to 8,200 feet) above sea level. It might even live higher up in the mountains.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Not much is known about what the Santa Marta screech owl eats or how it hunts for food. The only information about its breeding comes from the owl found in March 1919. This owl was ready to breed at that time.
Protecting the Santa Marta Screech Owl
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the Santa Marta screech owl as a "Vulnerable" species. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered.
This owl lives in a very small area, only in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. A lot of the natural forest where it lives has been cut down. In its place, people have planted pine and eucalyptus trees or created pastures for farm animals.
Scientists estimate that there are only about 2,300 to 7,500 adult owls left. The places where they can live and their numbers are believed to be shrinking.
See also
In Spanish: Autillo de Santa Marta para niños
