Breeding of the Tropical Screech Owl, Otus choliba in Talparo, Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

T Between 1988 and 1995, a pair of Otus choliba attempted to breed beneath the eaves of my home near Talparo, Trinidad. Eggs were laid and incubated, but only in 1995 was incubation successful when two chicks hatched after an incubation period of 26 days. The chicks flew at about 30 days old. Observations were made on the frequency of visits by the male to the incubating female, the times when the female vacated the nest and the progress of the chicks as they grew. In all aspects studied here Otus choliba conforms neatly with its congeners in North America.