Madagascar Scops Owl
Otus rutilus
The Madagascar Scops Owl (Otus rutilus) is a rare owl found in 3 countries, weighing about 101 g. The Madagascar scops owl, also known as the Malagasy scops owl or rainforest scops owl, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae.
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.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France.
When to see it
Best months: July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Madagascar Scops Owl?
- The Madagascar scops owl is a relatively small owl with short, rounded wings and short erectile ear-tufts on top of the head. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Madagascar Scops Owl?
- The Madagascar Scops Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 101 g.
- Where can you see a Madagascar Scops Owl?
- The Madagascar Scops Owl occurs in 3 countries, including Madagascar and Mayotte.
- What birds look similar to a Madagascar Scops Owl?
- The Madagascar Scops Owl is most easily confused with the Pallid Scops Owl, the Ryukyu Scops Owl and the Moluccan Scops Owl.
- Is the Madagascar Scops Owl endangered?
- The Madagascar Scops Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Madagascar Scops Owl for real
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