Mindanao scops owl

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Mindanao scops owl
Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Owls (Strigiformes)
Family : Real owls (Strigidae)
Genre : Scops Owls ( Otus )
Type : Mindanao scops owl
Scientific name
Otus mirus
Ripley & Rabor , 1968

The Mindanao scops owl ( Otus mirus ) is a species of the scops owl ( Otus ). It is endemic to the Philippines island of Mindanao .

features

The Mindanao scops reach a size of 19 to 20 centimeters. The wing length is 127 to 131 mm, the tail length 58 mm and the weight 65 grams. In the adult birds the face veil is light gray-brown with indistinct rings. The eyebrows and the inner area of ​​the small feather ears are whitish. The top is gray-brown with strong black and light reddish-brown spots. White spots form a conspicuous white band on the back of the buttocks. The shoulder feathers show fairly large white areas on the outer flags. The wings and tail have dark and light banding. The underside is tan-white to whitish-cream with black spots and a herringbone pattern. The lower third of the barrel and the toes are featherless. The color of the iris is yellow or brown. The beak is dark greenish-gray. The wax skin is greenish-yellow to gray. The toes are light gray to whitish yellow. The claws are gray-brown. The young birds have not yet been described.

Vocalizations

The male's vocalizations consist of two-syllable, melancholy whistles that are somewhat reminiscent of the tonality of pigeons. The second note is more powerful than the first. These double notes are played in long rows at intervals of approximately 10 to 15 seconds and consist of one pli-pioooh, pli-pioooh .

distribution and habitat

Occurrences are known in Mount Apo Natural Park , around Mount Hilong-hilong , around Mount Kitanglad and from Lake Sebu on Mindanao. The habitat are mountain rainforests at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,500 m.

Way of life

The way of life of the Mindanao scops owl has so far been little researched. It is true to location, nocturnal and feeds mainly on insects and other arthropods. Nothing is known about their reproductive behavior, but males with enlarged sex organs have been observed in February and March.

Existence and endangerment

Information on their population size is not available. Although the Mindanao scops owl is generally described as rare, it does not seem to be seriously endangered at higher altitudes, since the forests here are not yet affected by clearing in the same way as the forests at lower altitudes. BirdLife International classifies them in the early warning list ( near threatened ); however, further fieldwork is necessary before their protection status can be adequately assessed.

literature

  • Claus König, Friedhelm Weick: Owls of the World. 2nd Edition. Christopher Helm, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2 .
  • J. Del Hoyo, A. Elliot, J. Sargatal (Eds.): Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 5: Barn-Owls to Hummingbirds . Lynx Edicions, 1999, ISBN 84-87334-25-3 .
  • First scientific description by Ripley and Rabor PDF online

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