The Santa Marta screech owl (Megascops gilesi ) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found only in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of Colombia.
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
Altricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Santa Marta screech owl is a medium-sized member of genus Megascops, though the length and mass of the 1919 specimen were not published. The plumage is similar to that of others of its genus, having a reddish to grayish-brown head, back, chest, and wings and a pale belly. The crown and back are barred, the chest has darker brown streaks, and the belly has pale brown barring. The tarsi have golden-buff feathers.
The Santa Marta screech owl is known only from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia. Almost all records are from the San Lorenzo ridge and nearby areas, which have easy access and are regularly visited by bird tour groups. There are a smaller number of eBird reports in the central part of the mountain range. The species is thought to inhabit humid forest from 1,800 to 2,500 m (5,900 to 8,200 ft) but may possibly range higher.
Nothing is known about the species' diet and foraging behavior. The only data relative to breeding is that the type specimen was in breeding condition when collected in March 1919.
The IUCN has classed the Santa Marta screech owl as Vulnerable. The species has a restricted range, being found only in the relatively small Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Most of the native forest cover has been replaced by pine and eucalyptus plantations and livestock pastures. The species' estimated population is 2300 to 7500 mature individuals and its suitable habitat and population are believed to be declining.
