Megascops petersoni
The Cinnamon Screech Owl (*Megascops petersoni*) is a small, compact raptor, typically measuring 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing 80-90 grams (2.8-3.2 ounces). Its plumage is a striking, deep rufous or cinnamon color, finely variegated with dusky streaking and vermiculations across its underparts and crown, providing excellent camouflage within its forest habitat. Distinctive features include relatively short, yet prominent, ear tufts and large, piercing yellow irises that stand o...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane cloud forests and dense secondary growth, typically found at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,400 meters (4,600 to 7,900 feet).
Its diet primarily consists of large insects like beetles and moths, supplemented by spiders, small frogs, and occasionally small mammals or birds, captured by swooping from a perch.
The Cinnamon Screech Owl is a strictly nocturnal bird, typically becoming active shortly after dusk and retiring before dawn. During the day, it roosts solitarily in dense foliage or within natural tree cavities, often deep within the canopy, relying on its cryptic coloration for concealment. As ...
The Cinnamon Screech Owl is a resident species found exclusively in the humid montane cloud forests along the eastern slopes of the Andes. Its primary distribution includes southern Ecuador, specifically in the provinces of Morona Santiago and Zamora-Chinchipe, and extends south into northern Per...
Least Concern
- First formally described as a distinct species in 1991, making it a relatively recent addition to ornithological records. - Its scientific name, *petersoni*, honors Roger Tory Peterson, the renowned ornithologist and author of many field guides. - The Cinnamon Screech Owl is primarily identifie...