Karthala scops owl

Karthala scops owl
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Otus
Species: O. pauliani
Binomial name
Otus pauliani
(Benson, 1960)

The Karthala scops owl, or Comoro scops owl (Otus pauliani) is an owl endemic to the Comoro Islands.

This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.

The species is small for an owl, measuring 20–22 cm. It is greyish brown and has bright yellow eyes. Its feeding and breeding behavior are unknown.

The owl is found only on Mount Karthala, an active volcano on Grand Comoro. It has an estimated population of 2,000. It is classified as "Critically Endangered" due to it being restricted to such a small area, which is being rapidly deforested.

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