| Rufescent Screech Owl | |
| |
| Names | |
| Common Name: | Rufescent Screech Owl |
| Scientific Name: | Megascops ingens |
| Appearance | |
| A relatively large screech owl with small ear tufts. | |
| Behavior | |
| Not a well documented species, but likely similar to other Screech Owls. | |
The Rufescent Screech Owl (Megascops ingens) is a small species of owl that belongs to the family Strigidae.
Information[]
Description[]
It is one of the larger Screech Owls. Its overall length is 25-28 cm (9.8-11 in). Males weigh 134-180 g (4.7-6.3 oz), while females weigh 140-223 g (4.9-7.9 oz). Its feathers are a mix of sandy brown and cinnamon. Its eyes are a honey brown, and its beak is olive-yellow.
Its song is a long, rapid, flute-like, soft whistle that starts slow and speeds up: utututututututut or bu bu bu bu bububububu-bu. Both sexes sing both songs, but the females are higher pitched.
Ecology[]
It is strictly nocturnal, like most other Screech Owls. During the day, it rests among epiphytes (non-parasitic plants that grow in trees) on thick branches close to the trunk. It becomes active at dusk.
It is found on the slopes of the Andes, from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and central Bolivia.
In inhabits a variety of humid, mid-elevation cloud forests, from mature evergreen to secondary growth, as well as pastures with scattered trees.
Feeding[]
Its hunting techniques have not been well documented. It is assumed its diet consists of larger insects, spiders, and small vertebrates.
Reproduction[]
Their breeding biology is undocumented, but they likely nest in tree cavities. It is believed to nest between December and March.
History[]
A Guide Book to the Great Tree[]
On Otulissa's first Punkie Night, she wanted her mask to be special. So, after some research, she wore a mask bearing the likeness of a Rufescent Screech Owl. No one recognized the species, so she stuck to more recognizable ones.
Trivia[]
The species name ingens is Latin for "huge".
Gallery[]