Moheli scops owl

The Moheli scops owl (Otus moheliensis) is a scops owl endemic to the island of Mohéli, one of the Comoro Islands.

Moheli scops owl
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Otus
Species:
O. moheliensis
Binomial name
Otus moheliensis
Lafontaine & Moulaert, 1998

Description

The Moheli scops owl has two colour morphs, the rufous morph has reddish-brown plumage which is and weakly marked with dark streaks and bars; the brown morph has a darker brown plumage, which is boldly marked with streaks and vermiculations. Both morphs have yellow-green eyes, grey legs and black beaks.[2] Their length is approximately 22 cm (8.7 in).[3]

Voice

The Moheli scops owl is highly vocal, producing hissing whistles and screeches in a series of five notes, as well as screeching.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This owl is found on only the mountain in the centre of the island of Mohéli, the total range covering 21 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi), including the highest point of the ridge, at 790 metres (2,590 ft) in altitude, and the adjacent upper slopes.[2] It occurs in dense humid forest, which is rich in epiphytes between 450 and 790 m (1,480 and 2,590 ft).[3]

Habits

The Moheli scops owl is strictly nocturnal and becomes active only after sunset. Calling males have been recorded in September. The diet is probably mainly made up of insects.[3]

Conservation and status

The species was only described in 1998.[3] It has an estimated population of 400, and is classified as critically endangered due to it being restricted to such as small area, which is being rapidly deforested, In 1995, only five percent of the island still had intact, dense, humid forest. Ae well as habitat loss, other threats to the Moheli scops owl include hunting, and black rats which may eat its eggs and young but also compete with it for food. At present, the montane forest where the Moheli scops owl occurs is not protected.[2]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2017). "Otus moheliensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22724585A118472254. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22724585A118472254.en.
  2. "Moheli scops-owl (Otus moheliensis)". Widscreen Arkive. Wildscreen. Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  3. König, Claus; Weick, Friedhelm; Becking, Jan-Hendrick (1999). Owls A Guide to the Owls of the World. Pica Press. pp. 225–226. ISBN 978-1-873403-74-7.
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