Mayotte Scops Owl

The Mayotte Scops Owl ( Otus mayottensis ) is a species of owl of the genus Scops Owl ( Otus ). It is endemic to the Comorian island of Mayotte. Constantine Walter Benson described it in 1960 as a subspecies of the Madagascar Scops Owl ( Otus rutilus ). In 2000, however, it was recognized as an independent species.

Features

The Mayotte Scops Owl reached a size of 24 centimeters, a wing length of 166-178 mm, a tail length of 80-87 mm and a weight of about 120 grams. The top is gray - brown marked with streaks and worm lines. The neck band of bright and dark mottled feathers is quite prominent. The shoulder feathers show a few whitish areas. There are no protruding shoulder-stripe. The flight feathers are dark gray - brown with lighter bandages. The tail is brownish- gray with not very protruding lighter bandages. Their number is lower than in the Madagascar Scops Owl. The face veil is gray-brown with a rather inconspicuous dark edge. The eyebrows are white. The throat is whitish with a protruding dark hatching and banding. The short ear tufts are light and dark mottled gray - brown. The underside is brownish than the top with blackish shaft stripes and white and dark worm lines. The legs are strong feathered to the tarsal joint. The eyes are yellow. The beak is gray - horn color. The toes are light gray - brown, the claws are dark gray - brown.

Vocalizations

The call is reminiscent of the call of the Madagascar Scops Owl; however, the individual " WOOHP - wooph " sounds are longer, have a uniform spacing and are reproduced in much longer intervals.

Habitat

The Mayotte Scops Owl is obviously site- faithful and inhabits evergreen forests.

Way of life

Little is known about the life of Mayotte Scops Owl. It is nocturnal. As the Madagascar Scops Owl feeds them probably on insects and small vertebrates. Their breeding biology is not understood.

Inventory and risk

About the collection development is not known. She seems to be widespread in their closely limited distribution and is therefore classified by the IUCN as not at risk. However, if the pace of deforestation in Mayotte even further, it could jeopardize the future of the population of this species.