Chocó screech owl
The Chocó screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in humid lowland forests in western Ecuador, western Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica. As suggested by its name, a large part of its range is in the Chocó.
It is replaced in South America east of the Andes by the foothill screech owl, and from Costa Rica and north by the Middle American screech owl. The Chocó screech owl is considered a distinct species by some authorities, including the International Ornithologists' Union. Other taxonomic authorities, including the American Ornithological Society, include a larger conspecific group with this species including the foothill screech owl, the Middle American screech owl, and the vermiculated screech owl. When conspecific, the English name vermiculated screech owl is used for the entire group, but M. guatemalae is used for the scientific name since it is older. Others have omitted it entirely. The foothill screech owl, Middle American screech owl and Chocó screech owl are very similar in appearance, but easily separated by voice.
