Principe Scops-Owl
Otus bikegila
Small, richly colored owl with small ear tufts. There are two morphs: one rich rufous and the other pale gray-brown. Found in lowland rainforest on the island of Principe. The vocalization is a series of hollow “klow” notes, similar to those of African Scops-Owl, but delivered much more quickly, about one note / second. Easily identified, as the only other owl on Principe is the much larger Barn Owl.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Otus bikegila
- Authority
- Melo, Freitas, Verbelen, da Costa, Pereira, Fuchs, Sangster, Correia, de Lima & Crottini, 2022
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Otus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Squacco Heron
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Small stout heron; favors freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds with reeds and other surrounding vegetation. Tends to hunt rather sluggishly, hunched quietly at the edge of the water. At rest, appears buffy brown overall, but in flight transforms to mostly white when white wings and tail are revealed. Breeding adult has a rich buffy neck; nonbreeding and immature have a streaked neck.
Pacific Heron
Ardea pacifica
Large dark gray heron with white head and neck. In flight shows white "headlights" on the leading edge of the wing. Typically has dark legs. Usually found near water. Often seen singly, but also occurs in large scattered groups while foraging in damp paddocks and grassland.
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