• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population is estimated to number fewer than 50,000 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2019), thus it is here placed in the band 20,000-49,999 mature individuals. The population density in the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve was estimated to be 6.7 individuals/km² during the dry season, suggesting that this species is moderately common there (Alba-Zúñiga et al. 2009).

Trend justification
The population is undergoing a moderate decline (Partners in Flight 2019), which is thought to be caused by habitat loss and degradation. The species however shows some tolerance of secondary habitats and modified areas.

Megascops seductus has a moderately small range in west-central Mexico, where it is a fairly common resident in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Morelas and Guerrero (Howell and Webb 1995, A. G. Navarro in litt. 1998).

It inhabits thorn-forest and arid open to semi-open areas with scattered trees, as well as secondary growth, at elevations of 600-1,500 m (Howell and Webb 1995, del Hoyo et al. 1999). In a study in Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve, conserved dry forest was the preferred habitat, followed by thorn forest, disturbed forest and agricultural systems, with fewest records in Gliricidia-Caesalpina forest (Alba-Zúñiga et al. 2009). Its diet is little known, but insects and small vertebrates have been recorded (del Hoyo et al. 1999). Breeding has been noted in June (del Hoyo et al. 1999).

Available habitat appears to be in decline (del Hoyo et al. 1999). Agriculture is expanding in this species's range, especially for citrus plantations and cattle-ranching (Stattersfield et al. 1998).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Although some recent studies have collected data on this species (e.g. Alba-Zúñiga et al. 2009, Nova-Muñoz et al. 2011), further research and conservation actions are hindered by the current security situation in this region of Mexico (H. E. Valdez Gómez in litt. 2013).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to assess the species's local abundance, distribution and total population size. Research population trends in various parts of its range (Alba-Zúñiga et al. 2009). Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation. Protect areas of suitable habitat. Study the species's ecology.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Benstead, P., Isherwood, I., Sharpe, C.J.

Contributors
Navarro, A.G. & Valdez Gómez, H.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Balsas Screech-owl Megascops seductus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/balsas-screech-owl-megascops-seductus on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.