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ForestCavity nestMedium · 101 g
ID tip
The Madagascar scops owl is a relatively small owl with short, rounded wings and short erectile ear-tufts on top of the head. There are three morphs recorded of this species: a grey morph, a brown morph and a rufous morph. Features which stand out from the main plumage color are the pale eyebrows, light spots on the scapulars and the barring on the wings and outer tail feathers. Sometimes the crown and the underparts are streaked. The bill has a black tip and may be dull green through to yellowish-grey and the eyes are yellow. They measure 22–24 cm (8.7–9. Voice: The typical song of the Madagascar scops owl is a series of between five and nine short, reverberating, clear hoots which can be rendered as "pu-pu-pu-pu-pu". These are repeated at intervals of several seconds.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Madagascar Scops Owl
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 6 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Madagascar Scops Owl
The map shades 2 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in France.
About the Madagascar Scops Owl
The Madagascar scops owl, also known as the Malagasy scops owl or rainforest scops owl, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is found throughout Madagascar, now that it has recently been lumped with the Torotoroka scops owl, with which it was long considered a separate species from. The nominate O. r. rutilus is referred to as the rainforest scops owl.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Pallid Scops OwlOtus bruceiThe pallid scops owl is a small-eared owl similar in appearance to the Eurasian scops owl but with more distinct streaks on the back and less intricate markings.
Ryukyu Scops OwlOtus elegansThe Ryukyu scops owl or elegant scops owl is a small rufous-brown owl with a brown face disk and a cinnamon facial ruff.
Moluccan Scops OwlOtus magicusThe Moluccan scops owl is an owl found in the Maluku and Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia.
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