Flores scops owl
Kingdom
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Order
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Genus
SPECIES
Otus alfredi

The Flores scops owl (Otus alfredi ) is an owl endemic to the island of Flores, Indonesia. It is threatened by habitat loss. This owl is around 19–21 cm from head to tail. They are a forest dwelling owl that is smallish in size. Some 250–2,499 individuals are estimated to be extant in the wild, dwindling due to habitat loss.

Appearance

The Flores scops owl is a small and compact owl. The species has short, rounded, and broad ear tufts, a white vermiculation on their forehead, an orange-yellow beak, long and reddish rictal bristles, which are similar to mammalian whiskers that are located above an owl's beak, a red-brown facial outline, dark rufous feathers along the side of the neck with white bases, small white triangles on hind neck, white scapular spots with brown tips, a tiny tail that is barely visible, dense feathers on the legs, and dark orange-yellow claws.

Distribution

Geography

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The Flores scops owl is endemic to the island of Flores, Indonesia, and inhabits montane forests from 1,000-1,400m. It was thought that these owls thrive in moist semi-evergreen forests of the Flores highlands. However, the recent observations in the Sisok forest imply their habitat can vary between these moist forests as well as the dry monsoon forests that exist at lower altitudes.

Biome

Population

Population threats

Threats include annual and perennial non-timber crops, logging and wood harvesting, habitat shifting, roads and railroads, fire, and fire suppression.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the Flores scops owl is listed as an endangered species. The population is currently at a declining rate with 250–2,499 individuals extant in the wild.

Conservation

Conservation actions are currently underway at the Ruteng Nature Recreation Park in order to protect important remnants of the montane forests in which the Flores scops owls thrive.

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Other conservation actions have been proposed such as extensive nocturnal surveys to take place in the mountains of Ruteng as well as the ridge forests of Mata Wae Ndeo.

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References

1. Flores scops owl Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flores_scops_owl
2. Flores scops owl on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22724396/94864662
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/410398

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