Mindanao scops owl
Species of owl
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mindanao scops owl or Mindanao highland scops owl (Otus mirus) is an owl endemic to Mindanao island in the Philippines. It is found in tropical montane forest above 1,000 meters above sea level. It is threatened by habitat destruction and deforestation.
| Mindanao scops owl | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Otus |
| Species: | O. mirus |
| Binomial name | |
| Otus mirus | |
It is one of the three montane scops owl along with the Luzon scops owl and Mindoro scops owl.
Description
Otus mirus is a small owl, with a mean length of 19 cm and body mass of approximately 65 g. It is characterized by heavily barred wings and back, a mottled white and brown front, and small white ear tufts. It shares parts of its range with Everett's scops owl, but is much smaller than this congener.[3]
Ecology and behaviour
Habitat and conservation status
It occupies montane mossy forest above 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) above sea level.
IUCN has assessed this bird as least concern, but the population is believed to be decreasing. As it occurs in rugged and inaccessible mountains, this has allowed a large portion of its habitat to remain intact relative to lowland forests of the region, which are being rapidly deforested for agricultural use.[1]
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