Choco Screech Owl

The Chocó screech owl, a denizen of the night with a scientific name Megascops centralis, is a rather elusive creature. This owl, with a length ranging from 20.5 to 27 cm and weighing between 106.7 and 121.5 grams, comes in two distinct color morphs: gray and rufous, with many individuals displaying plumage that is a blend of the two. The gray morph is characterized by a grayish-white facial disc with blackish bars and a subtle black edge, while the rufous morph is predominantly rufous brown with less mottling above and brownish undersides.

Identification Tips

To identify the Chocó screech owl, look for its short but prominent "ear" tufts and yellow to red-orange eyes. The upperparts are mottled with black and buff, and the underparts are white to buffy white with narrow black bars and mottling. The folded wing displays irregular white spots along the margin, and the chin is notably white.

Habitat

This species is a resident of the interior and edges of humid primary and secondary forests, thriving in the lowlands and foothills. It is a creature of the shadows, preferring the dense canopy where light seldom penetrates.

Distribution

The Chocó screech owl's range extends from central Panama through northwestern Colombia and into a narrow region of western Ecuador. It is most commonly found below 1,000 meters, although it can be found up to 1,575 meters in southwestern Ecuador.

Behaviour

The Chocó screech owl typically occupies the forest mid-story. While its foraging behavior remains a mystery, it is presumed to feed on large invertebrates and small vertebrates, akin to its Megascops kin.

Song & calls

This owl's vocal repertoire seems limited to a single song, a departure from the norm for screech owls. The song is a short, rapid trill that begins at a steady pitch before descending. The volume of this trill varies throughout its delivery.

Breeding

Breeding season for the Chocó screech owl is suggested to be from January to March. A nest observed in a natural tree cavity contained the typical detritus of owl life: bark, wood dust, dry leaves, pellets, prey remains, and eggshell fragments.

Conservation status

The IUCN has yet to assess the Chocó screech owl as a distinct species, but it is included with the Middle American screech owl under CITES Appendix II. It seems to tolerate some habitat disturbance but is notably absent from forest fragments isolated by agriculture.

Diet and Feeding

While specific dietary habits are undocumented, it is inferred that the Chocó screech owl's diet is similar to that of other Megascops species, consisting of large invertebrates and small vertebrates.

In the stillness of the night, the Chocó screech owl remains a spectral presence, its life and habits largely enshrouded in the mystery of the dark, dense forests it calls home.