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White-fronted Scops Owl (Otus sagittatus)

White-fronted Scops Owl

Otus sagittatus

Vulnerable

Overview

The Otus sagittatus is a small Asian owl classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, with a population estimated between 2,500 and 10,000 individuals. Its numbers are declining as it remains dependent on lowland and foothill forests that are rapidly disappearing.

Habitat

This species occupies lowland and foothill forests at altitudes of 0–700 m across a range of approximately 149,000 km². It is currently known to inhabit western Thailand and peninsular Malaysia.

Did you know?

The bird possesses two distinct defence mechanisms: it can puff its feathers to appear three times larger, or stretch its body upwards and angle its head away to reduce its visibility to predators.

Sources