Sao Tome Barn Owl
| Sao Tome Barn Owl | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Tyto thomensis | ||||||||||||
| ( Hartlaub , 1852) |
The São Tomé barn owl ( Tyto thomensis ) is a species from the genus of barn owls that occurs only on São Tomé . It has long been considered a subspecies of the barn owl , but is viewed as an independent species in more recent literature. It is very rare on São Tomé and as an endemic species, its population is particularly endangered by habitat destruction and the use of pesticides.
features
The São Tomé barn owl is similar to the Cape Verde barn owl , but is smaller and darker. The body length is 33 centimeters, the wingspan is between 24.1 and 26.4, the tail is about 9.7 to 11.4 centimeters long. The top of the body is dark gray and reddish brown with conspicuous black and white spots. In contrast to some barn owl species, the face veil lacks gray tones. It is yellowish brown with a dark line that runs from the eyes to the beak. The underside of the body is golden brown with dark spots. Young birds resemble those of other barn owl species.
habitat
On São Tomé, this species of barn owl inhabits open to semi-open landscapes with shrubs and isolated groups of trees and / or rock structures. It has also opened up the human settlement area. Very little is known about their way of life and reproductive biology. Presumably it does not differ in this from other species of barn owls.
supporting documents
Single receipts
literature
- Claus König , Friedhelm Weick: Owls of the World . Christopher Helm, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2