Middle American Screech Owl

Megascops guatemalae (Sharpe, 1875)

Middle American Screech Owl, Megascops guatemalae, is an owl of Middle America, breeding from north-west and north-east Mexico through to Costa Rica and western Panama. It belongs to the family Strigidae and was described by Sharpe in 1875. It is a forest bird of humid to semi-arid country, using evergreen, semi-deciduous and thorn forest, as well as secondary growth and plantations. It occurs from sea level up to 1,500 m. A notable feature is its feathered feet, which set it apart from other owls in its genus.

Order

Strigiformes

Family

Strigidae — Owls

Breeding range

Middle America: nw, ne Mexico to Costa Rica and w Panama