ANIMALS - BIRDS - OWLS - TROPICAL SCREECH OWL (MEGASCOPS CHOLIBA)

Animals - Birds - Owls

Tropical screech owl (Megascops choliba)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigdae
Genus : Megascops
Species : M. choliba

Description:

The Tropical screech owl (Megascops choliba) is a small species of owl in the family Strigidae.

It is found throughout South America (including Trinidad and Tobago), except in the Andes, the arid Pacific lowlands, and the far south. Its distribution also extends into southern Central America in Costa Rica and Panama. It is generally common – in large parts of its range among the most common species of owls and likely the most common screech owl of the tropics. It occurs in a wide range of wooded habitats, ranging from arid Caatinga to dense rainforest, and even city parks.

This polymorphic species is highly variable in color, it being overall grey-brown or (less commonly) brown or rufous, but always with a relatively distinctive blackish edge to the face and yellow irises. The length is 21–23 centimeters (8.3–9.1 in) long and weight is 97–160 grams (3.4–5.6 oz).

Binomial Name:

Name : Megascops choliba
Taxonomist : Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot (Yvetot - France)
Year : 1782
Subspecies : 9 (Choliba, Luctisomus, Margaritae, … )
Synonym : Otus choliba

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

2015 - Uruguay - Stamp 4 of 8, from Owls Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: September 30th, 2015
Printed: 10.000 copies
Type : Stamp from Series of 8 Stamps
Value : UYP 15

Stamp : Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated