Sokotra-Zwergohreule

Bestimmung

A very small scops owl which is heavily streaked and barred on its pale sandy-grey upperparts, paler underparts with darker shaft streaks and fine, dark barring. The plain facial disc has vague margins and the shoulder stripe is not as conspicuous as in other scops owls and are sandy-coloured. The ear-tufts are very small and the eyes are yellow. Its length is 15–16 cm (5.9–6.3 in).<p>The song of the Socotra scops owl is a repeated, low-pitched series of notes which is similar to that described for the oriental scops owl (Otus sunia).

Taxonomie

The Socotra scops owl was previously lumped with the African scops owl (Otus senegalensis), but differences in plumage and vocalisations have led to it being split to a separate species. Recent genetic research suggests that its closest relatives are the Oriental scops owl and the Seychelles scops owl (Otus insularis). An interesting theory this research has led to is that the oriental scops owl is a taxon that evolved from a colonisation of the continent from island ancestors, an event which had previously been thought unlikely because island taxa were thought to be less competitive than related continental taxa.

Wissenschaftlicher Name

Otus socotranus

Autorität

(Ogilvie-Grant & Forbes, HO, 1899)

Ordnung

Strigiformes

Familie

Strigidae

Gattung

Otus

Verbreitung und Lebensraum

The Socotra scops owl is endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Socotra off the Horn of Africa, which is within the territory of Yemen. On Socotra it is found on over 45% of the island, most numerous in areas where there are mature palms. Its preferred habitat is rocky semi-desert with scattered trees and bushes.

Zugverhalten

Standvogel

Verhalten

Zugverhalten: Standvogel.

Schutzstatus

Bestandstrend: stabil.

Bestandstrend

stabil