Balsas Screech Owl
Megascops seductus
The Balsas Screech Owl (Megascops seductus) is a legendary owl found only in Mexico, weighing about 160 g. The Balsas screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae.
About the Balsas Screech Owl
The Balsas screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to Mexico.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Balsas screech owl is among the larger members of genus Megascops; it is 24 to 27 cm (9.4 to 10.6 in) long and weighs between 150 and 174 g (5.3 and 6.1 oz). Its facial disc is grayish brown with brownish markings and a darker border. Its "ear" tufts are short. The crown and upperparts are also grayish brown; the crown has darker streaks and the upperparts have a pinkish blush and dark streaks and other marks. The closed wing shows two bands of whitish spots. The underparts are paler than the upperparts and have narrow dark streaks and faint vermiculation. Voice: Both sexes of the Balsas screech owl perform a territorial song described as "a rather loud series of gruff notes accelerating to a trill ('bouncing-ball' rhythm), book-book-bokbokbobobobrrrrr". A possible courtship song is "a series of gruff, screaming 'whinny' trills".
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Balsas Screech Owl?
- The Balsas screech owl is among the larger members of genus Megascops; it is 24 to 27 cm (9.4 to 10.6 in) long and weighs between 150 and 174 g (5.3 and 6.1 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Balsas Screech Owl?
- The Balsas Screech Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 160 g.
- Where can you see a Balsas Screech Owl?
- The Balsas Screech Owl is endemic to Mexico, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Balsas Screech Owl?
- The Balsas Screech Owl is most easily confused with the Yungas Screech Owl, the Cinnamon Screech Owl and the Bearded Screech Owl.
- Is the Balsas Screech Owl endangered?
- The Balsas Screech Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Balsas Screech Owl for real
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