Napo screech owl
| Napo screech owl | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Megascops |
| Species: | M. napensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Megascops napensis Chapman, 1928 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Otus napensis | |
The Napo screech owl (Megascops napensis) is usually considered a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in forests and dense second growth in South America from Colombia to Bolivia. Its taxonomy is extremely complex and a matter of dispute (see taxonomy).
Taxonomy
All screech owls were formerly included in the genus Otus, but today they are placed in Megascops.
The Napo screech owl is considered a distinct species by some authorities, including the International Ornithologists' Union. Other taxonomic authorities , including the American Ornithological Society, include a larger conspecific group with this species, the Roraiman screech owl, the Choco screech owl, the Middle American screech owl, and the vermiculated screech owl. When conspecific, the English name vermiculated screech owl is used for the entire group, but M. guatemalae is used for the scientific name since it is older.[1]
References
- ↑ Robbins, M. B. (2001) Continue to recognize a broad Otus guatemalae (namely to include O. vermiculatus, O. napensis, O roraimae). South American Classification Committee. Accessed 25 January 2011.