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.
分类信息
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.
- 学名
- Otus cyprius
- 命名信息
- (Madarász, G, 1901)
- 目
- Strigiformes
- 科
- Strigidae
- 属
- Otus
分布与栖息地
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.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The species nests in natural cavities, in cavities in buildings, and in artificial nest boxes. In a study using nest-boxes, the highest levels of nest-box occupancy were found near forest edge and in rural areas, although the species can be found in most habitats on the island below 1900 m. The nesting habits of these species are of particular interest, as this is a cavity-nesting endemic species on an island that lacks any species of woodpeckers, and Calabrian pines Pinus brutia "rarely develop cavities until [they are] old".
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- unknown
照片
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Pallid Dove
Leptotila pallida
A rather plain medium-sized dove, mostly restricted to western Ecuador but also occurs in western Colombia and extreme northwestern Peru. Within range, the main confusion species is White-tipped Dove. Pallid Dove has notably darker and warmer brown upperparts that contrast more with the whitish underparts. Like other members of the genus, Pallid is typically found on the ground (or flushing up into the understory). It is most often seen walking on roads or trails, or flying across quickly. There are a few places where it visits feeders. Within its limited range, it is fairly common, but be careful to separate from the equally (or more) common White-tipped Dove. Listen for its low-pitched, single “hoo” call.
Squatter Pigeon
Geophaps scripta
A fairly large pigeon with obvious black and white facial markings, and a white stripe up the side of the belly to the shoulder. Pale white underwings (Common Bronzewing has reddish underwings). It occurs in the drier parts of eastern Queensland, where it is much rarer in the south than the north. This species is usually observed on the ground, typically on the side of a dirt road.
Silver-backed Butcherbird
Cracticus argenteus
Medium-sized ambush-hunter with a long gray bill with a dark, hooked tip. Black head and face with a white nape and chin. Upperparts very pale gray, with white rump, outer part of wings black, inner part of wings white, and black tail with white tip. Rollicking, chuckling song.
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