The taxonomic affinities of this unique small owl remain unclear. Early authors lumped it with the Puerto Rican Screech-Owl (Megascops nudipes). However, the Cuban bird is quite different in both morphology and vocalizations. Olson & Suárez (2008) created a unique generic name for this Cuban endemic, Margarobyas which means "Pearl Owl." It is from the Greek and a reference to Cuba being the "Pearl of the Antilles." The AOU made the new name official in their 54th supplement. Birds from Western Cuba and the Isle of Pines are said to be browner with larger spots. Clements stands virtually alone in continuing to recognize these birds as the race M. l. exsul. Its validity is doubtful (König & Weick 2009, Weidensaul 2015). IOC, Howard & Moore, HBW and "Neotropical Birds Online" all consider this species to be monotypic.
References:
Olson, S. L., and W. Suárez. 2008. A new generic name for the Cuban Bare-legged Owl Gymnoglaux lawrencii Sclater and Salvin. Zootaxa 1960:67-68.
Weidensaul, S. 2015. Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean. Houghton Mifflin. Preview.
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