Systematics

Monotypic.

Described as Otus petersoni by Fitzpatrick and O'Neill 1986, with a type locality of "Cordillera del Cóndor, above San José de Lourdes, Dept. Lourdes, Peru, 5º02'S, 78º51'W, elevation 1950". This species is named in honor of Roger Tory Peterson, "in recognition of his many lasting contributions to field ornithology, conservation, and wildlife art".

Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Megascops remain poorly known. The few studies published to date include only a small number of species of Megascops, and have not yielded consistent patterns of relationships (e.g. Wink et al. 2008). Fitzpatrick and O'Neill (1986) proposed that petersoni is most closely related to other species of South American screech-owls with brown irides: Megascops ingens (Rufescent Screech-Owl), Megascops colombianus (Colombian Screech-Owl), Megascops watsonii (Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl), and Megascops marshalli (Cloud-forest Screech-Owl), and petersoni and colombianus were sister taxa. König and Weick (2008) suggest that petersoni may be closer to watsonii or marshalli than to ingens or colombianus.

None reported.