Tropical Screech-owl

Taxobox
name = Tropical Screech-owl

---

status = LC
status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Strigiformes
familia = Strigidae
genus = "Megascops"
species = "M. choliba"
binomial = "Megascops choliba"
binomial_authority = (Vieillot, 1817)
synonyms = "Otus choliba" (Vieillot, 1817)

The Tropical Screech-owl ("Megascops choliba") is a small species of owl in the Strigidae family. It is found throughout South America (including Trinidad and Tobago), except in the Andes, the arid Pacific lowlands, and the far south. Its distribution also extends into southern Central America in Costa Rica and Panama. It is generally common - in large parts of its range among the commonest species of owls. It occurs in a wide range of wooded habitats, ranging from arid Caatinga to rainforest, and even city parks. This polymorphic species is highly variable in colour, it being overall grey, brown or rich rufous, but always with a relatively distinctive blackish edge to the face and yellow irides.

References

* BirdLife International 2004. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/48513/all Megascops choliba] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 24 July 2007.