Megascops asio asio

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Eastern screech-owl
French : Petit-duc maculé

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae
Notes : 5 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 25 cm in length for a weight of 164 g. Fairly broad “ears”. Coloration is either dark grey or rufous with black edges around facial disk. Breast and belly are light colored with extensive vertical black streaks.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs from Oklahoma to Georgia. The species is found from extreme south Canada to most of eastern USA and north-east Mexico. Lives in woodlands and wooded areas, including near cities, up to 1500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species remains common throughout its range but could be vulnerable to loss of nesting trees and poisoning by pesticides.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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