Rufescent Screech Owl
Megascops ingens
The Rufescent Screech Owl (Megascops ingens) is a rare owl found in 5 countries, weighing about 165 g. The rufescent screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae.
About the Rufescent Screech Owl
The rufescent screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rufescent screech owl is one of the larger species of its genus, similar in size to the white-throated screech owl (M. albogularis). Its overall length is 25 to 28 cm (9.8 to 11.0 in) and weight in males is 134 to 180 g (4.7 to 6.3 oz) and in females 140 to 223 g (4.9 to 7.9 oz). The nominate subspecies is sandy brown above with darker vermiculation. Its facial disc is sandy brown, without a distinct rim. The flight feathers are barred cinnamon and dusky and the tail is cinnamon with darker brown bars. The hind crown has buffy-whitish border. It has honey brown eyes and small ear tufts. Voice: The rufescent screech owl's primary (territorial) song is "a series of flute-like, staccato notes, which begins softly on a lower pitch, shortly rising to a higher, steadily maintained pitch". A second song, believed to be used in courtship, is "a 2-3 weak introductory notes followed by a short series of hoots all on the same pitch".
What the Rufescent Screech Owl sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in September. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufescent Screech Owl?
- The rufescent screech owl is one of the larger species of its genus, similar in size to the white-throated screech owl (M. albogularis). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufescent Screech Owl?
- The Rufescent Screech Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 165 g.
- Where can you see a Rufescent Screech Owl?
- The Rufescent Screech Owl occurs in 5 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela.
- What does a Rufescent Screech Owl sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Rufescent Screech Owl on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Rufescent Screech Owl?
- The Rufescent Screech Owl is most easily confused with the Bare-shanked Screech Owl, the Black-capped Screech Owl and the Choco Screech Owl.
- Is the Rufescent Screech Owl endangered?
- The Rufescent Screech Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rufescent Screech Owl for real
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