Undescribed San Isidro Owl

11th March 2005

Dear Deane,

Thought you may want a couple more pics for your Owl Pages. I have attached a Cloud-forest Pygmy-Owl and an owl that's at San Isidro on the east slope of the Ecuadorian Andes that's as yet undescribed.

Hope you can use them.

Best wishes,

Steve Blain.

13th April 2005

Hello Steve, thanks for your e-mail and the fantastic photos!

I was just wondering if the undescribed owl may be Strix nigrolineata (Black-and-white owl). I'm not sure of the exact location of San Isidro, but I believe it is close to the Napo river in Ecuador, so the range would be close I think.

Thanks again, and best regards,

Deane P. Lewis

1st May 2005

Hi Deane,

The undescribed owl species is on the wrong slope for Black-and-white and is too high to be Black-banded. It was found at San Isidro on the east slope (about 2100 meters) about four years ago and as yet has not been officially described. Apparently there are possibly birds of the same type in Columbia and possibly Peru, but more research needs to be carried out.

Best wishes

Steve Blain