Rufescent screech owl
Template:Short description Template:Use American English
The rufescent screech owl (Megascops ingens) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.[1]
Taxonomy and systematics
The rufescent screech owl has three subspecies, the nominate M. i. ingens, M. i. venezuelanus, and M. i. columbianus. The last was formerly considered a distinct species, "Colombian screech owl". Two other forms that had previously been described as subspecies are now treated as individual variations of the nominate.[2][1][3]
Description
The rufescent screech owl is one of the larger species of its genus, similar in size to the white-throated screech owl (M. albogularis). Its overall length is Script error: No such module "convert". and weight in males is Script error: No such module "convert". and in females Script error: No such module "convert".. The nominate subspecies is sandy brown above with darker vermiculation. Its facial disc is sandy brown, without a distinct rim. The flight feathers are barred cinnamon and dusky and the tail is cinnamon with darker brown bars. The hind crown has buffy-whitish border. It has honey brown eyes and small ear tufts. The tarsi are feathered to the base of the toes. M. i. venezuelanus is slightly smaller and paler than the nominate. M. columbianus is also smaller than the nominate and its tarsi are not fully feathered.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The nominate subspecies of rufescent screech owl is found on the eastern slope of the Andes from southwestern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to central Bolivia. In elevation it ranges from Script error: No such module "convert". in Ecuador, from Script error: No such module "convert". in Peru, and from Script error: No such module "convert". in Bolivia. M. i. venezuelanus is found in northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela; its elevational range has not been determined. M. columbianus is found on the western slope of the Andes from west central Colombia into northwestern Ecuador. In Colombia it ranges in elevation from Script error: No such module "convert". and in Ecuador Script error: No such module "convert"..[3]
The rufescent screech owl inhabits a wide variety of forest types including the interior and edges of mature evergreen and secondary forest and pastures with scattered trees. It appears to accept fragmented habitats.[3]
Behavior
Feeding
The rufescent screech owl is nocturnal, like most others of its genus. Its hunting techniques have not been documented. Its diet is assumed to be larger insects and spiders, and at least one small vertebrate has been noted as prey.[3]
Breeding
The rufescent screech owl's breeding phenology is essentially undocumented. In western Colombia it is believed to nest between December and March. Though its nest and eggs have not been described, it is assumed to nest in a tree cavity like others of its genus.[3]
Vocalization
Template:Birdsong The rufescent screech owl's primary (territorial) song is "a series of flute-like, staccato notes, which begins softly on a lower pitch, shortly rising to a higher, steadily maintained pitch". A second song, believed to be used in courtship, is "a 2-3 weak introductory notes followed by a short series of hoots all on the same pitch". Both sexes sing both songs, though the females' are higher pitched.[3]
Status
The IUCN has assessed the rufescent screech owl as being of Least Concern. However, its population is unknown and believed to be decreasing.[4] It is "vulnerable to deforestation, which is advancing throughout its range".[3]
References
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 23 May 2021. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved May 24, 2021
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Marín-Gómez, O. H., D. W. Holt, R. Berkley, C. Deppe, P. L. Enríquez, J. L. Petersen, J. L. Rangel Salazar, K. P. Segars, K. L. Wood, and J. S. Marks (2020). Rufescent Screech-Owl (Megascops ingens), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, P. G. Rodewald, and T. S. Schulenberg, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rufsco1.01 retrieved August 6, 2021
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
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Further reading
- "Owls: A Guide to the Owls of the World" by Claus Konig, Friedhelm Welck & Jan-Hendrik Becking. Yale University Press (1999), Template:ISBN.