Mindanao Scops-Owl
Otus mirus
A fairly small owl of montane forest on Mindanao. Dark brown on the upperparts, head, and chest, and pale gray on the lower chest and belly with black markings. Note the grayish crescents between the orange-yellow eyes. Occurs together with Giant and Everett’s Scops-Owls, but Mindanao is much smaller than Giant and slightly smaller and darker than Everett’s with shorter ear tufts. Song consists of two lazily-given whistled notes, “wiiii weeuu,” the second note slightly downslurred.
Identification
The Mindanao scops owl or Mindanao highland scops owl (Otus mirus) is an owl endemic to Mindanao island in the Philippines. It is found in tropical montane forest above 1,000 meters above sea level. It is threatened by habitat destruction and deforestation. It is one of the three montane scops owl along with the Luzon scops owl and Mindoro scops owl.
Taxonomy
Genus: Otus; Family: Strigidae; Order: Strigiformes.
- Scientific name
- Otus mirus
- Authority
- Ripley & Rabor, 1968
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Otus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Northern Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula
Unique medium-sized owl of the boreal forest. Remarkably long-tailed for an owl; reminiscent of a small hawk in flight with quick, snappy wingbeats. Pale eyes give it an angry look. Brownish overall with white spotting above, barred underparts, and spotted crown. Feeds on small rodents by sight and sound. Often seen perched on the very top of a spruce tree or snag, surveying the surrounding landscape for prey. When rodent populations crash, large numbers of Northern Hawk Owls can move south of their normal range.
Whistling Warbler
Catharopeza bishopi
A small charming inhabitant of woodland tangles and dense undergrowth. Plumage striking slate and white with a bold white eyering. Note distinctive pattern of black chin, white upper breast and blackish lower breast. No similar species within its range. Often has tail cocked upright. Song is a cascade of loud whistled notes, with pace typically slowing towards end as notes grow louder; sometimes given in rapid succession resulting in a more jumbled pattern.
Sri Lanka Junglefowl
Gallus lafayettii
Wild chickenlike bird. Male is burnt orange with dark streaks, cockerel-like glossy black tail, and a prominent red comb marked with yellow on the crown. Gray-brown female has white streaks and prominent barring on its wings. Terrestrial, found in pairs or small groups in forests of lowlands and highlands over much of Sri Lanka. Generally keeps to cover. Only confusion is with domestic chicken; note lack of white at tail base, and yellow marking on comb of males, and bars in wings of females in Sri Lanka Junglefowl. Song a harsh “chyok-cher-chow”. Also stuttering “kik-kik-kik-kik” notes.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.