Mayotte Scops Owl

The Mayotte scops owl is very similar to the rainforest scops owl (O. rutilus) with which it was once considered conspecific. The upperparts are plain brown marked with faint light spots while the underparts are paler brown than the upperparts. The facial disk is also brownish with a contrasting darker rim restricted to just the sides and not seen above the eyes. The crown is brown with darker streaks and the flanks are more reddish-brown with short dark streaks. The eyes are yellow. The body length is 20–22 cm (7.9–8.7 in). Voice: The call of the Mayotte scops owl is a series of 3–11 deep, single hoots.