Oriental scops owl

The oriental scops owl (Otus sunia) is a species of scops owl found in eastern and southern Asia.

Oriental Scops Owl
Oriental Scops Owl (rufous morph) from Guwahati, Assam, India
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Otus
Species:
O. sunia
Binomial name
Otus sunia
(Hodgson, 1836)

Description

This is a small, variable plumaged, yellow eyed owl with ear-tufts which are not always erect. It can be distinguish from the collared scops owl by its whitish scapular stripe, well marked underparts, and lack of pale collar. There are two colour morphs, grey and rufous; intermediate forms also occur. Sexes are similar in appearance. Individuals may freeze with eyes half closed when disturbed. The species has a repeated liquid call sounding like "tuk tok torok".[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species has an extremely wide distribution across eastern and southern Asia, and is found in dry deciduous forests from Russia to Thailand. The owl nests in holes in trees during February–April.[1]

  • Near Kaeng Krachen National Park, Thailand
  • Rufous morph from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
  • Adult rufous morph from Garbhanga, Assam, India
  • Adult rufous morph from Garbhanga, Assam, India
  • Sub species O. s. modestus (Walden, 1874) from Andaman Islands, India

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Otus sunia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Oriental Scops-owl (Otus sunia)". Handbook of the Birds of the World. Retrieved 4 April 2018.


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