Tropical Screech-Owl
Megascops choliba
Silhouette: Jason Dilworth · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderStrigiformes (Owls)
- FamilyStrigidae (Typical Owls)
- GenusMegascops (Screech-Owls)
- SpeciesMegascops choliba (Tropical Screech-Owl)
About the Tropical Screech-Owl
The tropical screech owl (Megascops choliba) is a small species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, and every mainland South American country. The taxonomy of genus Megascops is somewhat unsettled. A 2015 publication proposed that the tropical screech owl's closest relatives are the white-throated screech owl (M. albogularis) and Koepcke's screech owl (M. koepckeae). However, the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) has not accepted that assessment.
The following nine subspecies are accepted by the IOC, the Clements taxonomy, and BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World. M. c. duidae perhaps represents a separate species. M. c. choliba Vieillot (1817)
M. c. luctisomus Bangs & Pernard (1921) M. c. margaritae Cory (1915) M. c. cruciger Spix (1824) M. c. duidae Chapman (1929) M. c. decussatus Lichtenstein (1823) M. c. uruguaii Hekstra (1982) M. c. surutus Kelso (1941) M. c. wetmorei Brodkorb (1937)
The tropical screech owl is polymorphic, with much variation in color. It is overall gray-brown or (less commonly) brown or rufous, but always with a relatively distinctive... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Tropical Screech-Owl in La Amistad International Park (Panama)
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at La Amistad International Park (Panama)
Bare-shanked Screech-Owl
Megascops clarkii
Vermiculated Screech-Owl
Megascops guatemalae
Mottled Owl
Strix virgata
Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium costaricanum
Black-White Owl
Strix nigrolineata
Spectacled Owl
Pulsatrix perspicillata
Crested Owl
Lophostrix cristata
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius ridgwayi
Striped Owl
Pseudoscops clamator
Central American Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium griseiceps
American Barn Owl
Tyto furcata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Tropical Screech-Owl in La Amistad International Park (Panama)?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Tropical Screech-Owl sighting in La Amistad International Park (Panama), based on 160 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Tropical Screech-Owl in La Amistad International Park (Panama)?
May has the highest sighting rate for Tropical Screech-Owl in La Amistad International Park (Panama) in our monthly data.