The Santa Marta screech owl was formally described in 2017, though a specimen collected in 1919 was thought at the time to perhaps be a "distinct form". Relatively recent sightings of individuals that have been retroactively assigned to the species predate 2017. It is thought to be most closely related to West Peruvian screech owl (M. roboratus), tawny-bellied screech owl (M. watsonii), and black-capped screech owl (M. atricapilla).[3][4][5]
Descriptionedit
The 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.[4]
Distribution and habitatedit
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.[4][5]
Behavior and ecologyedit
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.
Statusedit
The IUCN has classed the Santa Marta screech owl as Vulnerable.[1] 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 Most of the native forest cover has been replaced by pine and eucalyptus plantations and livestock pastures.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.[4]
Referencesedit
^ abBirdLife International (2019). "Megascops gilesi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T155254743A155254750. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T155254743A155254750.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
^ abKrabbe, N. K. (2017). "A new species of Megascops (Strigidae) from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, with notes on voices of New World screech-owls". Ornitología Colombiana. 16: 1–27.
^ abcdeKirwan, G. M. (2020). Santa Marta Screech-Owl (Megascops gilesi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, P. G. Rodewald, and T. S. Schulenberg, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.samsco1.01
^ ab"Santa Marta screech owl eBird range map". Retrieved March 31, 2020.
April 13, 2024
santa, marta, screech, megascops, gilesi, species, family, strigidae, found, only, sierra, nevada, santa, marta, colombia, conservation, statusvulnerable, iucn, cites, appendix, cites, scientific, classificationdomain, eukaryotakingdom, animaliaphylum, chordat. 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 3 4 Santa Marta screech owlConservation statusVulnerable IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix II CITES 2 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder StrigiformesFamily StrigidaeGenus MegascopsSpecies M gilesiBinomial nameMegascops gilesiKrabbe 2017 Contents 1 Taxonomy and systematics 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behavior and ecology 5 Status 6 ReferencesTaxonomy and systematics editThe Santa Marta screech owl was formally described in 2017 though a specimen collected in 1919 was thought at the time to perhaps be a distinct form Relatively recent sightings of individuals that have been retroactively assigned to the species predate 2017 It is thought to be most closely related to West Peruvian screech owl M roboratus tawny bellied screech owl M watsonii and black capped screech owl M atricapilla 3 4 5 Description editThe 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 4 Distribution and habitat editThe 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 4 5 Behavior and ecology editNothing 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 Status editThe IUCN has classed the Santa Marta screech owl as Vulnerable 1 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 4 References edit a b BirdLife International 2019 Megascops gilesi IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019 e T155254743A155254750 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2019 3 RLTS T155254743A155254750 en Retrieved 18 November 2021 Appendices CITES cites org Retrieved 2022 01 14 a b Krabbe N K 2017 A new species of Megascops Strigidae from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Colombia with notes on voices of New World screech owls Ornitologia Colombiana 16 1 27 a b c d e Kirwan G M 2020 Santa Marta Screech Owl Megascops gilesi version 1 0 In Birds of the World S M Billerman B K Keeney P G Rodewald and T S Schulenberg Editors Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca NY USA https doi org 10 2173 bow samsco1 01 a b Santa Marta screech owl eBird range map Retrieved March 31 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Santa Marta screech owl amp oldid 1181819454, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
