Seychelles Scops Owl
Otus insularis
The Seychelles Scops Owl (Otus insularis) is a legendary owl found only in the Seychelles, weighing about 123 g. The Seychelles scops owl or Seychelles owl, also known as bare-legged scops owl or syer is a rare scops owl species, which only occurs in the Morne Seychellois National Park on the Seychelles island of Mahé.
About the Seychelles Scops Owl
The Seychelles scops owl or Seychelles owl, also known as bare-legged scops owl or syer is a rare scops owl species, which only occurs in the Morne Seychellois National Park on the Seychelles island of Mahé.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
It reaches a length of 19 to 21 cm. The wings are each about 17 cm long. Its plumage is rufous brown and exhibits black shaft streaks. The underparts and the facial disc are rufous. The long grey legs are unfeathered. The eyes are large and golden yellow. The ear-tufts are very small. Its call, which sounds like a rasping "whaugh" with various "tok tok" notes, can be heard from a far distance and in particular in the darkness. Its diet consists of geckos, tree frogs and insects (e.g. locusts).
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Seychelles Scops Owl?
- It reaches a length of 19 to 21 cm. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Seychelles Scops Owl?
- The Seychelles Scops Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 123 g.
- Where can you see a Seychelles Scops Owl?
- The Seychelles Scops Owl is endemic to the Seychelles, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Seychelles Scops Owl?
- The Seychelles Scops Owl is most easily confused with the Nicobar Scops Owl, the Pemba Scops Owl and the Rajah Scops Owl.
- Is the Seychelles Scops Owl endangered?
- The Seychelles Scops Owl is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Seychelles Scops Owl for real
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