Oriental scops owl

Oriental scops owl
Oriental scops owl (left) with a chestnut-backed owlet
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Otus
Species: O. sunia
Binomial name
Otus sunia
(Hodgson, 1836)

The oriental scops owl (Otus sunia) is a species of scops owl found in South Asia. They are found in dry deciduous forests. They are usually detected by their distinctive call.

Call
Call of oriental scops owl recorded in Parambikulam

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Tiny, variable plumaged, yellow eyed owl with ear-tufts which are not always erect. Distinguish from Collard scops owl by whitish scapular stripe, well marked under parts, and lack of pale collar. Two morphs present, grey and rufous, intermediate forms also occur. Sexes alike. Nocturnal. Freeze with eyes half closed when disturbed. More often heard than seen. Has a repeated liquid call "tuk tok torok". Nests in holes in trees during February-April. It can be found in Middle-East, S and SE Asia.

References


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, March 01, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.