Two new species of ‘critically endangered’ owl discovered in Amazon rainforest

The discovery highlights the huge level of biodiversity at risk due to human activity, writes Harry Cockburn

The alagoas screech owl is one of two new species discovered in the Amazon and Atlantic forests (Gustavo Malacco)

Even as rampant deforestation claims swathes of the Amazon rainforest every year, scientists are still discovering fascinating previously unrecognised creatures - and that is largely during daylight hours.

At night the jungle becomes a whole new realm, alive with nocturnal animals which have remained even more elusive to humans than those which come out in the day.

Researchers have found and described two new species of owls which live in the Amazon and Atlantic forests, both of which they believe are already critically endangered.