Bare-legged Owl

The Bare-legged Owl or Cuban Screech-owl is a species of owl in the Strigidae family that is endemic to Cuba. It belongs to the monotypic genus Gymnoglaux. Its natural habitats are dry forests, lowland moist forests, and heavily degraded former forest. It lives in the canopy of the forests where it does most of its foraging.

Picture of the Bare-legged Owl has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike.
Original source: Dominic Sherony
Author: Dominic Sherony

The Bare-legged Owl is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The bare-legged owl became the Cuban screech owl in 1998, when the American Ornithologists’ Union reclassified it in the genus Otus, which includes scops and screech owls. However, in 2003, the union, citing differences in morphology and vocal patterns, reversed itself, placing the owl in its own genus, Gymnoglaux, and restoring its former name. No reliable population numbers or trends are available on the Cuban screech owl, but it is reported to be common throughout its range. More

A young Bare-legged Owl Gymnoglaux lawrencii peaking out of its home in Cuba More

The Bare-legged Owl or Cuban Screech-owl (Gymnoglaux lawrencii) is a species of owl in the Strigidae family that is endemic to Cuba. It belongs to the monotypic genus Gymnoglaux. Its natural habitats are dry forests, lowland moist forests, and heavily degraded former forest. It lives in the canopy of the forests where it does most of its foraging. References - * BirdLife International 2004. Gymnoglaux lawrencii. More

with a woodpecker hole produced a Bare-legged Owl, which sat http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/Otus_lawrencii.html ADW: Otus lawrencii: Classification: Otus lawrencii (bare-legged owl and Cuban screech-owl). Classification. What do http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/path/Otus_lawrencii.html.html ADW: Otus lawrencii: Classification: Otus lawrencii (bare-legged owl and Cuban screech-owl). Classification. What do http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~wilczek/Trip%20to%20Cuba/Cuban%20fauna/Bird%20Checklist.html Species: Barn Owl. X. Resident. One of the most widespread bird species in the world. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/new0406. More

Order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae
Genus : Gymnoglaux
Species : lawrencii
Authority : (Sclater & Salvin, 1868)