Other Scientific Names
Otus watsonii [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Otus watsonii [Stotz et al. (1996)], Otus watsonii [BirdLife International (2004)]
Tawny-bellied Screech Owl (Megascops watsonii) [XC264435]
by Peter Boesman from Pastaza: Kapawi area, Ecuador (shortsong (atypical))
Tawny-bellied Screech Owl (Megascops watsonii) [XC264434]
by Paul Coopmans from Pastaza: Kapawi area, Ecuador (song)
Subspecies
Suggested to belong to the Black-capped Screech-Owl (Megascops atricapilla) superspecies, but large overlap in range with Vermiculated Screech-Owl (Megascops vermiculatus). From vocal evidence and DNA sequencing appears closest to Black-capped Screech-Owl (Megascops atricapilla), and more distantly related to Tropical Screech-Owl (Megascops choliba) than previously thought. Subspecies usta has been treated as separate species but compared with nominate, however, differences in morphology appear to be minimal and vocal dissimilarities probably not constant. Also, their ranges may partly overlap.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
watsonii (Cassin, 1848) - Lowlands from eastern Colombia south to north-eastern Peru and eastern (north of R Amazon) to Surinam and Amazonian Brazil.
usta (Sclater, PL, 1858) - Eastern Peru and southern Amazonian Brazil south to lowland forest of northern Bolivia and northern Mato Grosso. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Southern Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl (Megascops usta).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet