The cinnamon screech owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found in the Andes of Ecuador and Peru and possibly Colombia.
Region
Northern Andes (Ecuador and northern Peru, possibly southern Colombia)
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid montane and cloud forests along the Andean slopes, favoring dense evergreen forest, edges, and adjacent secondary growth. It frequents mossy, epiphyte-laden habitats with a well-developed understory and scattered clearings. Often recorded along ravines and riparian corridors where prey is abundant. Typically keeps to midstory and subcanopy perches for foraging.
Altitude Range
1300–2600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named for its rich cinnamon-toned plumage, the cinnamon screech owl is a small, elusive Andean owl described only in the late 20th century. It is most often detected by voice in cloud forests at night, where it can be easily overlooked among similar screech-owls. Its soft, rhythmic hoots carry through the montane forest understory. It likely relies on intact mid-elevation forests, making it sensitive to ongoing habitat loss.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with silent glides
Social Behavior
Primarily solitary outside the breeding season; pairs maintain territories in dense forest. Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, where the female incubates and the male provisions. Likely monogamous with both adults tending young after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft series of hollow, evenly spaced hoots that may accelerate slightly toward the end. Calls carry well through cloud forest at night and are often the only reliable means of detection.
Plumage
Overall rich cinnamon-rufous with fine dark vermiculations and subtle barring; facial disk edged darker with short ear tufts. Underparts are warm rufous with thin dusky streaks and barring; upperparts show mottled rufous and brown. Tarsi are heavily feathered.
Diet
Feeds mainly on large insects such as moths, beetles, and orthopterans, taken by sallying from low to mid-level perches. Will opportunistically take small vertebrates like small rodents, frogs, or lizards when available. Prey is swallowed whole or torn into manageable pieces with the bill.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along forest edges, along trails and streams, and within the midstory of dense cloud forest. Uses quiet perch-and-pounce tactics from shaded branches and vine tangles.
