Japanese Scops Owl
Otus semitorques
The Japanese Scops Owl (Otus semitorques) is a legendary owl found in 4 countries, weighing about 122 g. The Japanese scops-owl is a small owl species in the family Strigidae, or true owl family.
About the Japanese Scops Owl
The Japanese scops-owl is a small owl species in the family Strigidae, or true owl family. It is a member of the genus Otus, the scops owl genus. It is resident to Japan, China, Korea, and Russia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Japanese scops-owls are 16.5–30 cm (6.5–11.8 in) tall, and their wingspan is 60–66 cm (23.5–26 in). They weigh 130–200 g (4.6–7.1 oz). Their plumage is gray and brown, resembling the bark of a tree which helps them camouflage in their environment. Their wings are long, around 153–196 mm (6.0–7.7 in), and pointed. Furthermore, like most scops-owls, they have prominent ear tufts. This species has a pale grey-brown facial disc, intense red eyes, green feet, with feathered toes, and a green bill. Voice: Japanese scops-owls have varied vocalizations including screeches, meows, hoots and chatters. They screech mostly to deter predators. Males usually give repeated deep "whook" at different intervals. Some of their other calls are described as "kwe" or "koo" notes. They also repeat "kwee-kwee" and "pew-u, pew-u" sounds.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Japanese Scops Owl?
- Japanese scops-owls are 16.5–30 cm (6.5–11.8 in) tall, and their wingspan is 60–66 cm (23.5–26 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Japanese Scops Owl?
- The Japanese Scops Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 122 g.
- Where can you see a Japanese Scops Owl?
- The Japanese Scops Owl occurs in 4 countries, including Japan, China, South Korea and Russia.
- What birds look similar to a Japanese Scops Owl?
- The Japanese Scops Owl is most easily confused with the Palawan Scops Owl, the Mantanani Scops Owl and the Sunda Scops Owl.
- Is the Japanese Scops Owl endangered?
- The Japanese Scops Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Japanese Scops Owl for real
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