Image via Macaulay Library
Cloud-forest Screech-Owl
- Scientific name
- Megascops marshalli
- Family
- Strigidae
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Cloud-forest Screech-owl, or Megascops marshalli, was formally described by John Weske and John Terborgh in 1981 following their ornithological survey of the Andes in Peru. Its discovery was significant as it helped clarify the complex taxonomy of screech-owls inhabiting the high-elevation humid forests of the eastern Andean slopes, a region known for its high degree of biological endemism and difficult accessibility.
The bird's design reflects its specialized ecological niche within the cloud forest canopy. Its rounded wings and rounded tail are evolutionary adaptations for short-burst, agile maneuvering through dense, misty vegetation rather than long-distance soaring. These physical traits, combined with its cryptic, mottled plumage, allow the species to blend seamlessly into the lichen-covered bark of its environment, making it a challenging subject for field observation.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Cloud-forest Screech-Owl
Cloud-forest Screech-Owl is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Cloud-forest Screech-Owl on collecto.rs?
Cloud-forest Screech-Owl doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Cloud-forest Screech-Owl?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Cloud-forest Screech-Owl catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Cloud-forest Screech-Owl is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
