One of the most common owls of the Iberá and the smallest of those with ear tufts (feather tufts resembling ears). It measures 21 to 23 cm. The plumage is very cryptic: brown or grayish with fine dark and pale streaks that camouflage it perfectly against the bark of the trees. The "ears" are actually tufts of facial feathers that it can raise or lower. The eyes are yellow. The facial disk is brown with a dark border. It is recognized by its small proportions and its call of two low notes.
Behaviour
Strictly nocturnal. It comes out to hunt at nightfall, detecting prey by hearing and sight from a fixed perch. It feeds mainly on large insects: beetles, crickets, grasshoppers and moths. It also takes small frogs and lizards. The male sings territorially all night with a fast "to-to-to-to" or two low notes.
How and when to see it
At night at the forest edges. During the day it perches pressed against a tree trunk where it is practically invisible. Night walks with a flashlight are the best way to see it.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where tropical screech-owl has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where tropical screech-owl lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
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Senderismo guiado. Visita guiada a museos, lugares históricos, capillas y senderos del…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameTropical Screech-Owl
- Scientific nameMegascops choliba
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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