Peruvian screech owl (Megascops roboratus)

Los Faiques Ecolodge, Lambayeque, Peru. Feb 2, 2023

comments (12)

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

Another case of full circle: eight years ago, in this exact same lodge, I saw my first owl in Peru, the Peruvian Pygmy-Owl, to this day the most abundant owl species I've ever seen, and very easy to see, thanks both to the dry, open forests it inhabits and its party diurnal behavior. But I was only starting out in the world of birding, and failed to realize that there was another owl to be found in the region, this one strictly nocturnal: the Peruvian Screech-Owl.
Ever since I'd realized what I missed out on, I wanted to return to look for it, and I finally got the chance last week. Looking on eBird, there had been no sightings at the lodge since 2019, so I was wondering if perhaps there no longer was a pair in the area. But when I went out after dinner and tried a bit of playback, I immediately got a response and soon was looking at this delightful individual, not 50 meters away from my bedroom!
That's also my eighth Megascops species in Peru, only one left to go! (Though it is, unsurprisingly, the hardest one. Hopefully this year...)
Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  I have no doubt that you'll find it! Posted 2 years ago
2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    I've heard it on three occasions already, but never managed to catch so much as a glimpse! In bird-nerd parlance, it's what we call a nemesis bird haha Posted 2 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Haha! Posted 2 years ago
3. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  What a catch! And far from easy to produce a quality shot like this. Posted 2 years ago
4. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    Thanks! This particular bird was very cooperative, as owls sometimes are :) Posted 2 years ago
5. NattyOne
  
  Lion
  
  Good luck! Posted 2 years ago
6. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    Thanks! I will get it eventually! Posted 2 years ago

Calbost Niel

Lion

Like a deer in the headlights ! Great shot Thibaud Posted 2 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Haha thanks Niel! Posted 2 years ago

Ernst

Lion

It shure can hypnotize you. Posted 2 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Nothing like an owl encounter! Posted 2 years ago