Sokoke Scops Owl
Otus ireneae
The Sokoke Scops Owl (Otus ireneae) is a legendary owl found in 2 countries, weighing about 50 g. The Sokoke scops owl, also Morden's scops owl or Morden's owlet, is a highly localized species of scops owl found in lowland forests of Kenya and Tanzania.
About the Sokoke Scops Owl
The Sokoke scops owl, also Morden's scops owl or Morden's owlet, is a highly localized species of scops owl found in lowland forests of Kenya and Tanzania. The greatest population of this species of owl is in the Cynometra-Manilkara forest, which is less than one-third of the Sokoke Forest. It is also found in the Afzelia-Cynometra forest.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Sokoke scops owl is a fairly plain scops owl with small spotted markings on the underside. They are found in a number of color morphs ranging from grey through brown to an orange-rufous. Their call consists of a repetitive "too-too-too-too-too" reminiscent of the calls of tinkerbirds. Males have a higher-pitched, louder and clearer call compared to females, which have a softer, muffled, low-pitched call. They are territorial and pairs may duet in response to intruding conspecifics. The calling intensity of spontaneously calling owls varies with the time of night and phase of the moon.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Sokoke Scops Owl?
- Sokoke scops owl is a fairly plain scops owl with small spotted markings on the underside. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Sokoke Scops Owl?
- The Sokoke Scops Owl is a small sized bird weighing about 50 g.
- Where can you see a Sokoke Scops Owl?
- The Sokoke Scops Owl occurs in 2 countries, including Kenya and Tanzania.
- What birds look similar to a Sokoke Scops Owl?
- The Sokoke Scops Owl is most easily confused with the Sunda Scops Owl, the Mantanani Scops Owl and the Japanese Scops Owl.
- Is the Sokoke Scops Owl endangered?
- The Sokoke Scops Owl is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Sokoke Scops Owl for real
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