Birds of Guyana

    STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae (Owls)  
Genus: Megascops (3 species, 22 worldwide)

Genus Megascops, Screech Owls, are small owls, around 24 cm., which stay hidden during the day, and are usually only heard at night.



Tropical Screech Owl
Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops choliba)
ProAves Blue-billed Curassow Reserve, Puerto Pinzon, Boyaca, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Widespread and common, and best identified by black border to facial disk, and the rising final note in song.
A grey and a rufous owl at a typical roost site.
Daytime shot from back.

Foothill Screech Owl
Foothill Screech Owl (Megascops roraimae roraimae)
Brownsberg Nature Park, Brokopondo, Suriname
  This subspecies was once called the Roraiman Screech Owl.
   
Photograph by Tropical Birding (Nick Athanas)   © All Rights Reserved.

Foothill Screech Owl
Foothill Screech Owl (Megascops roraimae napensis)
Reserva Natural La Isla Escondida, Orito, Putumayo, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.


Tawny-bellied Screech Owl
Tawny-bellied Screech Owl (Megascops watsonii watsonii)
Surama, Guyana  
   
Photograph by Bradley Hacker   © All Rights Reserved.

Note dark border to facial disk similar to Tropical Screech Owl, but note tawny chest and orange (not yellow) eyes. The subspecies south of the Amazon is darker and has a brown and rufous morph (HBW).


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