Bearded Screech-Owl, Megascops barbarus
Bearded Screech-Owl, Megascops barbarus. Photographs taken within San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, February 2020. Photographs and identifications courtesy of Bob Behrstock, Sierra Vista, Arizona (naturewideimages.com).
Background and Identification
The Bearded Screech-Owl, Megascops barbarus, is a nocturnal bird endemic to only a few isolated regions of Central America. There are many common names for this species, including the Mottled Owl, Santa Barbara Screech-Owl, and Bridled Screech-Owl. In Mexico, they are known as Tecolote Barbudo.
Bearded Screech-Owls are small and compact, with short wings and a short tail. Females are bigger than males, but sexes have identical plumage. This owl is characterized by its mottled brown, grey, and white plumage, which provides excellent camouflage against the bark of trees. One of its most distinguishing features is the presence of ear tufts and a facial disk bordered with darker feathers. This feature is what gives the Bearded Screech-Owl its “bearded” appearance. They have yellow eyes and pale-colored beaks.
Habitat and Geographical Range
The Bearded Screech-Owl inhabits forested areas, specifically those with a mix of pine, oak, and other broadleaf trees. It is most commonly found at elevations ranging from 1,200 m (4,000 feet) to 3,000 m (9,000 feet). Dense forests with lots of color are preferred, to roost and hunt for their prey. Prey includes insects, small mammals, and other small vertebrates.
As mentioned above, this species is only native to a small area, primarily in the highlands of southern Mexico, including the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca. They are also native to parts of Guatemala.
Common Misidentifications
One similar species that has an overlapping geographical ranges in Chiapas and Guatemala is the Whiskered Screech-Owl, Megascops trichopsis. Both species have similar plumage, but vocalization is different. Bearded Screech-Owls have a quiet and low-pitched (cricket-like) trill, and the Whiskered Screech-Owl has an even lower-pitched call that carries on for longer. The Bearded Screech-Owl has more prominent white “eyebrows” on its facial plumage, is smaller, and has unfeathered toes.
Conservation Status
From a conservation perspective the Bearded Screech-Owl is currently considered to be of Least Concern, with stable populations. However, its limited range and specialized habitat requirements make it extremely vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation. Deforestation for agriculture, logging, and human settlement poses significant threats to the mountainous forests that this owl relies on.