Sula Scops-Owl
Otus sulaensis
A small brown owl with indistinct ear tufts (often not visible) and yellow irises. Largely brown, mottled with dark streaks and markings over much of the body, with pale and white markings on the wings. Inhabits forest and trees within swamps, mainly in the lowlands, but sometimes into the hills too. Distinctive: restricted to the Sula Islands, where it is the only small brown owl. Song is a tremulous, trill-like whistle repeated in quick succession (“brew-ooo”). Also gives a high shrill screech note.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Otus sulaensis
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1898)
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Otus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Madagascar Cuckooshrike
Ceblepyris cinereus
Medium-sized, gray vanga-like bird with a black hood. The underparts are dark gray in most of the range and pale gray in the southwest. Found in all types of forest, and sometimes in scrub and plantations. Often joins mixed flocks with other mid-sized birds. Most common vocalizations are an accelerating high-pitched series and a mild, chatty series of “chew” and “tew” notes. Shows gray underparts, unlike any similar vanga. Smaller-billed than Pollen’s, Van Dam’s, and Lafresnaye’s Vangas.
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Commonest large hawk in many areas, often seen soaring. Favors woodland and forest edge, farmland with hedges; locally in towns with larger trees and wooded parks. Also hunts over open country, especially moorland and rough grassland. Mainly seen as singles or pairs, circling over fields and woodlands with wings slightly raised. Rather stocky hawk with broad wings and fairly short, square-tipped tail (rounded when spread). Plumage variable but typically has paler breast band, fine dark tail barring (broad dark tail tip on adult).
Moltoni's Warbler
Curruca subalpina
Closely related to Subalpine Warbler. Paler rufous below compared to the western species of Subalpine Warbler and lacks contrast between the rusty throat and whitish belly like the eastern subspecies of Subalpine Warbler. Breeds in Mediterranean scrub. In winter found in semi-arid acacia savanna. Call a diagnostic dry “trrrrr,” reminiscent of Spectacled Warbler.
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