Giant Scops Owl (Mimizuku gurneyi)

Giant Scops Owl

[order] STRIGIFORMES | [family] Strigidae | [latin] Mimizuku gurneyi | [authority] Tweeddale, 1879 | [UK] Giant Scops Owl | [FR] Petit duc geant | [DE] Rotohr-Eule | [ES] Buho de Mindanao | [NL] Grote Dwergooruil

Subspecies

Monotypic species

Genus

Members of the genus Mimizuku are quite large owls. They were, for some time, regarded as part of the genus Otus , but major differences in size, appearance and habits, have caused it to be placed in a separate genus. In terms of its DNA, it is closer to Otus than it is to Bubo . There is but one species, resident in the southern part of the Philippines.

Physical charateristics

Medium-sized owl with well-developed ear-tufts. Dark eyes. Rufescent facial disc outlined in black, conspicuous white eyebrows. Rufescent-brown crown and upperparts with darker shaft streaks, barred flight feathers and pale line on scapulars. Whitish underparts, washed rufous with bold black streaks. Similar spp. Larger than all sympatric Otus species, all of which lack such bold underpart streaking. Voice Loud wuaah repeated every 10-20 seconds in series of 5-10 calls.

Listen to the sound of Giant Scops Owl

[audio:https://planetofbirds.com/MASTER/STRIGIFORMES/Strigidae/sounds/Giant Scops Owl.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto


wingspan min.: 0 cm wingspan max.: 0 cm
size min.: 28 cm size max.: 32 cm
incubation min.: 0 days incubation max.: 0 days
fledging min.: 0 days fledging max.: 0 days
broods: 1   eggs min.: 1  
      eggs max.: 3  

Range

Oriental Region : Philippines

Habitat

It inhabits primary, secondary and selectively logged dipterocarp forests, primarily in the lowlands up to 670 m, with occasional records up to 1300 m, including in mossy forest

Reproduction

No data

Feeding habits

The Giant Scops Owl feeds mostly on small vertebrates and large insects.

Video Giant Scops Owl

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38Wqln9rIIk

copyright: John Gregory


Conservation

This owl has a small population which is undergoing a rapid decline and severe fragmentation as a result of extensive deforestation. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.
Mimizuku gurneyi is endemic to the Philippines, where it is known from Samar (one record), Dinagat, Siargao and Mindanao. It has a relatively widespread distribution on Mindanao, where it has been discovered at eight new sites since 1990. However, its status is uncertain and, although it is likely to be under-recorded, it is considered to be probably uncommon at best.
Giant Scops Owl status Vulnerable

Migration

Presumed sedentary

Distribution map

Giant Scops Owl distribution range map

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