Omani Owl
Strix butleri
Pale, medium-sized owl of dry rocky country with cliffs and canyons. Dark brown above and pale with narrow dark streaks below. Eyes are yellow-orange. Rare, local, and elusive. The vocalizations include a short series of nasal hoots, a long series of low-pitched “huu” notes, and rough “vyeet” notes. Similar to Desert Owl, but usually separated by range and vocalizations. Other differences included darker overall coloration, striped rather than barred underparts, and partially dark gray facial disc.
Identification
The Omani owl has a bi-coloured pale and dark grey face with orange eyes, dark greyish brown upperparts, pale underparts with long, narrow vertical dark streaks, relatively long legs, banded wings, and a banded tail.
Taxonomy
Genus: Strix; Family: Strigidae; Order: Strigiformes.
- Scientific name
- Strix butleri
- Authority
- (Hume, 1878)
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Strix
Range and habitat
The Omani owl has been observed in high rocky cliffs, but not in nearby wadis.
- Migration
- unknown
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
New Britain Rail
Gallirallus insignis
A round-bodied and short-tailed rail with long pink legs. Mostly chestnut above and black below with white barring. Almost flightless. Prefers damp thick forest and mountain valleys, but also occurs in swampy grass and agricultural areas. Similar to Pale-vented Bush-Hen and Buff-banded Rail, but differs from both in its black throat with white barring, and from Buff-banded by its lack of a prominent white eyebrow. Vocally poorly known, but reported to give wheezing nasal barks and screams.
Great Skua
Stercorarius skua
Powerful dark brown seabird, resembles a dark, heavily built immature gull. Note eye-catching white flashes in the primaries when in flight. Adults have distinct pale mottling on the upperparts, which serves to separate them from adults of the very similar South Polar Skua. Juveniles are more uniformly colored, with warm-colored and largely unmarked underparts; note bulkier build and more powerful flight than Pomarine Jaeger. Breeds locally on moorland of islands and coasts in northern Europe, where aggressive near nests. Otherwise lives at sea, but may be seen from shore during windy conditions during migration periods. Feeds by pirating gulls and other seabirds, also by scavenging at fishing boats.
Eastern Rock Nuthatch
Sitta tephronota
Large and powerful nuthatch with strong legs and a long, heavy bill. Note the bold black eye stripe that broadens behind the eye. Uses rocky, mountainous habitats, scrambling around on cliffs, ledges, and boulders. In direct comparison with Western Rock Nuthatch, Eastern is much bigger and heavier. The vibrant whistling vocalizations of the present species also average louder and deeper.
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