Rainforest Scops Owl

Overview

The rainforest scops owl is the nominate subspecies of the Madagascar scops owl, Otus rutilus, an owl species endemic to the island of Madagascar. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is distinguished by its preference for humid tropical forests in the eastern part of the island.

Identification

• Small owl, 22–24 cm in length, with short rounded wings and short erectile ear-tufts.
• Plumage occurs in grey, brown, or rufous morphs, featuring pale eyebrows, light spots on the scapulars, and barring on the wings and outer tail feathers.
• Bill is dull green to yellowish-grey with a black tip; eyes are yellow.
• Song consists of 5 to 9 short, reverberating hoots resembling "pu-pu-pu-pu-pu", repeated at intervals of several seconds.

Habitat

Found throughout Madagascar, the rainforest scops owl subspecies (Otus rutilus rutilus) prefers humid tropical forest and bush in the east of the island. It inhabits subtropical or tropical dry forests and man-made habitats such as parks up to 2,000 m above sea level.

Diet

This species feeds on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, beetles, moths, and spiders, alongside small vertebrates. It hunts mostly at night from a perch but also catches moths on the wing.

Did you know?

During the day, the owl roosts hidden in dense foliage, on a branch, or next to a tree trunk. Little is known about its breeding biology, but it is believed to lay 3 or 4 white eggs in a tree hollow, probably in November and December.