Megascops watsonii
The Tawny-bellied Screech Owl (*Megascops watsonii*) is a captivating nocturnal raptor of the Amazonian rainforest, renowned for its distinctive coloration and calls. Measuring 20-24 cm (8-9.5 inches) in length and weighing 115-180 g (4-6.3 oz), this medium-sized owl is characterized by its rich tawny-brown plumage, prominently marked with dark streaking and vermiculations, and its namesake paler, tawny underparts. Distinctive field marks include bright yellow eyes, relatively small ear tufts...
Inhabits lowland tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, preferring humid primary and mature secondary forests, often near forest edges or clearings, typically below 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) elevation.
Feeds primarily on large insects and other arthropods (beetles, moths, grasshoppers, spiders), supplemented by small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, small birds, and rodents.
Strictly nocturnal, the Tawny-bellied Screech Owl spends its days roosting singly or in pairs within dense foliage, tree cavities, or under tangles of vines, often near the trunk for camouflage. It employs a sit-and-wait foraging strategy, perching motionlessly on a branch to scan for prey before...
The Tawny-bellied Screech Owl boasts an extensive distribution across the vast Amazon Basin of South America. Its breeding range spans from the eastern foothills of the Andes eastward to the Atlantic coast. Countries within its range include southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, n...
Least Concern
- The Tawny-bellied Screech Owl is one of the larger species within the *Megascops* genus, a group known for their mostly small to medium-sized stature. - Its scientific name, *Megascops watsonii*, honors Sir Charles Watson, a British naturalist and explorer. - Despite its relatively widespread r...