Pacific Screech-Owl

The Pacific Screech-Owl inhabits the Pacific lowlands of Central America, ranging from southern Mexico through Costa Rica, typically in dry forest, scrub, and adjacent open woodland habitats. It is one of several small eared owls in the genus Megascops found across the Americas.

Its plumage is a fairly typical greyish-brown screech-owl pattern, but the pale eyebrow feathering meeting over the base of the bill gives it a distinctive, slightly surprised facial expression.

Feathers can be recognized by their fine streaking and vermiculation on a grey-brown background, along with small, loosely structured ear-tuft feathers when present.

Size and shape

• Small, compact contour feathers and short rounded wings typical of a small eared owl
• Small ear-tuft feathers, often loose and easily detached

Color and pattern

• Ground color greyish-brown, with fine dark streaking down the body and finer vermiculation across the back and wings
• Pale, whitish eyebrow feathering that meets above the bill, a useful facial clue if the crown and forehead feathers are found together
• Flight feathers show narrow dark barring on a paler background

Distinguishing from similar species

• Generally paler and greyer than tropical screech-owls found in wetter forest habitats nearby, which tend to be warmer brown
• Range is a strong clue: confined largely to Pacific slope dry habitats rather than humid forest

Plumage is greyish-brown overall with fine dark streaking and vermiculation, providing camouflage against dry forest bark. Sexes look similar, with females averaging larger. Juveniles show a softer, less defined version of the adult pattern with more uniform downy feathering before acquiring adult streaking. Molt is gradual, generally tied loosely to the breeding season.

Found along the Pacific slope of Central America from southern Mexico through Costa Rica, favoring dry deciduous forest, scrubby woodland, and edge habitat, often near water sources in otherwise arid landscapes. It is a non-migratory resident, remaining within its territory year-round.

A nocturnal hunter of insects and small vertebrates, often perching low in scrub or open woodland to hunt. It nests in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes. Its voice includes a rhythmic series of hooting or barking notes, differing from the classic descending whinny of some other screech-owls. Pairs are often heard duetting at dusk, useful context if trying to confirm a species tentatively identified from a found feather.