Koepcke's Screech Owl
Megascops koepckeae
The Koepcke's Screech Owl (Megascops koepckeae) is a rare owl found in 2 countries, weighing about 117 g. Koepcke's screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae.
About the Koepcke's Screech Owl
Koepcke's screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Koepcke's screech owl is about 24 cm (9.4 in) long. Six individuals of M. k. koepckeae weighed 112 to 127 g (4.0 to 4.5 oz) and three of M. k. hockingi 121 to 130 g (4.3 to 4.6 oz). The nominate subspecies has a whitish gray facial disc with darker speckles and a blackish rim. It has short whitish brows above yellow eyes. The crown is very dark brown with pale brown speckles. The upperparts are grayish brown to dark brown with blackish or dusky streaks and dark barring. The folded wing shows a line of whitish spots. The tail is dark brown with narrow ochre bars and small speckles. Voice: The territorial song of Koepcke's screech owl has been described as "a loud, staccato series of notes with slowing pace and rising volume: ko-ko-ko-ko ka ka KA KAH!". M. k. hockingi's song is similar but is longer and higher pitched. An aggressive song is "a series of quieter short hoots rising and falling in pitch". Pairs sometimes sing in duet.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Koepcke's Screech Owl?
- Koepcke's screech owl is about 24 cm (9.4 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Koepcke's Screech Owl?
- The Koepcke's Screech Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 117 g.
- Where can you see a Koepcke's Screech Owl?
- The Koepcke's Screech Owl occurs in 2 countries, including Peru and Ecuador.
- What birds look similar to a Koepcke's Screech Owl?
- The Koepcke's Screech Owl is most easily confused with the Yungas Screech Owl, the Balsas Screech Owl and the Cinnamon Screech Owl.
- Is the Koepcke's Screech Owl endangered?
- The Koepcke's Screech Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Koepcke's Screech Owl for real
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