Rufescent Screech-Owl

About the Rufescent Screech-Owl

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. 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.

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 25 to 28 cm (9.8 to 11.0 in) and weight in males is 134 to 180 g (4.7 to 6.3 oz) and in females 140 to 223 g (4.9 to 7.9 oz). 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... Wikipedia →