WScreech owls or Megascops are typical owls (Strigidae) belonging to the genus Megascops, with 23 living species known at present, but new ones are frequently recognized and unknown ones are still being discovered on a regular basis, especially in the Andes. For most of the 20th century, this genus was merged with the Old World scops owls in Otus, but nowadays it is again considered separately based on a range of behavioral, biogeographical, morphological, and DNA sequence data.
WThe bare-shanked screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is a large owl that feeds at night in forests and lives in a family size group, even during breeding season. The owl's range is only in Costa Rica, Panama, and far northwestern Colombia. The owl preys on large insects, shrews, and small rodents.
WThe bearded screech owl is a species of small owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in highlands of central and western Guatemala and central Chiapas, Mexico. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
WThe black-capped screech owl, or variable screech owl, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and heavily degraded former forest.
WThe cinnamon screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is very poorly known and has been known to science for less than 30 years.
WThe eastern screech owl or eastern screech-owl, is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada. This species is native to most wooded environments of its distribution, and more so than any other owl in its range, has adapted well to manmade development, although it frequently avoids detection due to its strictly nocturnal habits.
WThe long-tufted screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Argentina and Brazil. A recent revision of its distribution also includes Uruguay.
WThe Middle American screech owl, also known as the Guatemalan screech owl, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae and is usually found in forests and dense second growth. The taxonomy of this species and the vermiculated screech owl can be confusing. When split, the name vermiculated screech owl is used for the population from eastern Nicaragua to Panama, and this species is found from northern Mexico to Nicaragua. When conspecific, the English name vermiculated screech owl is used, but M. guatemalae is used for the scientific name since it is older. The "guatemalae" larger conspecific group usually includes the foothill screech owl, M. roraimae and the Choco screech owl, M. centralis.
WThe Pacific screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, and heavily degraded former forest.
WThe rufescent screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. This is one of the larger species of screech owls, similar in size to the white-throated screech owl. The overall length is 25 to 29 cm and weight in males is 134–190 g (4.7–6.7 oz) and 140–273 g (4.9–9.6 oz) in females. Its coloration is sandy-brown above, vermiculated darker, the 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. The tarsi are feathered to the base of the toes. The Colombian screech owl was formerly considered a distinct species, but is now considered conspecific.
WThe Santa Marta screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found only in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of Colombia.
WThe tawny-bellied screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical swamps.
WThe tropical screech owl is a small species of owl in the family Strigidae.
WThe vermiculated screech owl, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. The taxonomy of this species and the Middle American screech owl can be confusing. When split, the name vermiculated screech owl is used for the population from eastern Nicaragua to Panama. When conspecific, the English name vermiculated screech owl is used, but M. guatemalae is used for the scientific name since it is older. Some taxonomists usually also include the "guatemalae" larger conspecific group with the foothill screech owl, M. roraimae and the Choco screech owl, M. centralis. Many authorities, including the American Ornithological Society, continue to call these species and M. guatemalae conspecific, while others, including the International Ornithologists' Union split them.
WThe western screech owl is a small owl native to North and Central America, closely related to the eastern screech owl. The scientific name commemorates the American naturalist Robert Kennicott.
WThe whiskered screech owl is a small screech owl found in North and Central America.
WThe white-throated screech owl is an owl found in Andes in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. It is the largest species of the genus Megascops, at 26 centimetres (10 in) and 185 grams (6.5 oz).