Bare-shanked screech owl

The Bare-shanked Screech Owl

The bare-shanked screech owl (Megascops clarkii), also known as Clark's screech owl, is a species of owl belonging to the family Strigidae. It is a relatively large owl, distinguished by its bare lower legs and yellowish-pink toes. This species inhabits dense, humid mountain forests, forest edges, and cloud forests at elevations ranging from 3,000 to over 11,000 feet.

Range and Habitat

The geographic distribution of the bare-shanked screech owl is restricted to the mountainous regions of Costa Rica, Panama, and far northwestern Colombia. It prefers thick, humid forest environments but can also be found in thinner upland forests, provided there is a patchy forest structure. Notable locations within its range include the Monteverde Biological Reserve and Volcán Poás National Park in Costa Rica.

Physical Characteristics

Adult bare-shanked screech owls measure between 23 and 25 cm (9-10 inches) in length, with weights ranging from 123 to 190 grams. Their upperparts are a reddish-brown, intricately marked with black spots and mottling. The hindneck is yellowish, and the shoulder feathers bear a distinct white band edged in black. The flight feathers are barred with cinnamon, and the tail displays alternating light and dark bars. The owl's underside is pale brown with a tan and yellowish tint, featuring dusky reddish-brown bars or black streaks on the breast and stomach. Its facial disc is yellowish-brown with a dark ruff, and it possesses striking yellow eyes. The bill is typically greenish-grey or bluish-grey. Chicks are white, while fledglings exhibit a cinnamon coloration with white speckles and dusky bars.

Diet and Behavior

This owl is primarily nocturnal, hunting along forest edges, clearings, and canopies after dark. Its diet consists mainly of large insects, shrews, and small rodents. The bare-shanked screech owl is known to live in family-sized groups, maintaining this social structure even throughout the breeding season.

Breeding and Vocalization

Nesting behavior has been documented only once, with an instance of nesting found within the cavity of an oak tree. The breeding season spans from mid-February through May, with fledglings observed from May to August. The call of the bare-shanked screech owl is characterized by short, low-pitched, steady whistles, with the female's vocalizations being higher in pitch than the male's.

Conservation Status

While a 2017 book noted its conservation status as unknown due to limited study, the IUCN Red List currently classifies the bare-shanked screech owl as Least Concern, indicating a stable population.