Cyprus Scops-Owl
Otus cyprius
A small dark owl, intricately marked with black streaks and fine barring. Bright yellow eyes are set in a pale face ringed with black. The ear tufts can be prominent, especially when seen on a day roost, but sometimes are nearly invisible. Found in open woodlands, orchards, and parks. Active at night, when usually detected by monotonously repeated song, a single plaintive hoot that carries quite well. Within its restricted range, can only be confused with Little Owl, but separated by smaller size, ear tufts, and gray rather than brown overall coloration.
Identification
A small dark owl, intricately marked with black streaks and fine barring. Bright yellow eyes are set in a pale face ringed with black. The ear tufts can be prominent, especially when seen on a day roost, but sometimes are nearly invisible. Found in open woodlands, orchards, and parks. Active at night, when usually detected by monotonously repeated song, a single plaintive hoot that carries quite well. Within its restricted range, can only be confused with Little Owl, but separated by smaller size, ear tufts, and gray rather than brown overall coloration.
Taxonomy
It is similar to the Eurasian scops owl Otus scops, with which it was once considered conspecific. The Cyprus scops owl differs from Eurasian scops owl in that it has a double noted song (vs. single noted), it lacks a rufous morph (vs. has a rufous morph), and that it shows consistent plumage differences (with Cyprus scops owl appearing darker than Eurasian scops owls). There are limited mitochondrial DNA differences between the Cyprus scops owl and the Eurasian scops owl, but the taxa appear to occupy wholly discrete breeding ranges despite temporary sympatry during migration.
- Scientific name
- Otus cyprius
- Authority
- (Madarász, G, 1901)
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Otus
Range and habitat
The Cyprus scops owl is endemic to the island of Cyprus. It is reported in the literature to occur in rural areas, woodlands, and forests on the island from sea level up to 1,900 metres (6,200 ft). Considering the highest point on the island is only 1,952 metres (6,404 ft) at Mt. Olympus and that there are records of this species near the summit, the species distribution encompasses virtually the entire island.<p>Recordings of similar-sounding owls in adjacent mainland Israel have been attributed to this species, but the current taxonomic status of these mainland populations is not known.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Earth-toned bird with a large, powerful bill. Dark brown above and white below with a rusty-orange head and chest; the only predominantly brown barbet in its range. Inhabits both primary and secondary forests, occasionally venturing into edge habitats. Unlike other barbets, does not have a loud rollicking song; instead, listen for its high thin “tseep” notes, often given in series.
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Medium-sized songbird of woodlands, neighborhoods, and parks. Male grayish brown with black head and wings, faintly orange flanks, and a dark-tipped yellow bill. Female similar but lacks the black head, has much paler orange on the flanks, and is an overall brownish tone. Male similar to Japanese Grosbeak, which has less black on the head, no orange on the flanks, and lacks the dark tip to the bill of most adult male Yellow-billed Grosbeaks. Often detected as it gives a hard "jik!" while flying overhead.
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