Tropical screech owl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tropical screech owl |
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| In Ceara, Brazil | |
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| Megascops choliba luctisomus, Panama | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Megascops
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| Species: |
choliba
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| Synonyms | |
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Otus choliba (Vieillot, 1817) |
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The tropical screech owl (Megascops choliba) is a small type of owl. These owls live in many places, including Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and almost every country in mainland South America.
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About the Tropical Screech Owl
The tropical screech owl is a fascinating bird. It belongs to a group of owls called Megascops. Scientists are still learning about how these owls are related to each other.
Owl Colors and Size
Tropical screech owls can look very different from each other. They come in many colors, like gray-brown, brown, or even reddish-brown. But they all have a dark edge around their face and bright yellow eyes. Their bellies are light-colored with a zig-zag pattern.
These owls are about 21 to 23 cm (8.3 to 9.1 in) long. That's about the length of a ruler! They weigh between 97 to 160 g (3.4 to 5.6 oz), which is about as much as a small apple.
Where These Owls Live
The tropical screech owl is one of the most common owls in its region. You can find them from Costa Rica and Panama all the way south through South America. They mostly live east of the Andes Mountains.
They like many different places to live. You can find them in open woodlands, coffee farms, and even in towns. They usually avoid the deep parts of thick forests.
Owl Behavior and Life
What Tropical Screech Owls Eat
These owls are active at night. They hunt for food by swooping down from a low branch. They catch their prey on the ground, on branches, or even in the air.
Their diet includes many different creatures. They eat large arthropods like worms, scorpions, spiders, and lots of insects. They also hunt small animals with backbones, such as frogs, small snakes, other birds, bats, and small rodents.
Owl Reproduction and Nests
Scientists are still studying how these owls raise their young. In the southern parts of their range, they seem to start nesting around August.
Tropical screech owls make their nests in holes. These can be natural holes in trees, old holes made by woodpeckers, or even special nest boxes people put out. A mother owl usually lays one to three eggs, but sometimes she can lay up to six. Adult owls protect their nests very fiercely, sometimes even striking people with their claws if they get too close!
How Tropical Screech Owls Talk
The main song of the tropical screech owl is a short, purring sound. It's followed by two clear, strong notes. Female owls sing a similar song, but it sounds higher pitched. They also have a special "bubbling" song they use when they are trying to find a mate. Plus, they make other sounds like cackles and longer hoots.
Owl Status and Safety
The tropical screech owl is considered a species of "least concern" by the IUCN. This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. They are common in many areas where they live. In fact, cutting down some forests might even help them, because they like more open areas.
